DWP stopping benefit payments before Christmas with claimants told by letter

DWP stopping benefit payments before Christmas with claimants told by letter

by · Birmingham Live

The Department for Work and Pensions is axing benefits for some claimants before Christmas - and will send them a letter telling them. The DWP is moving legacy benefits claimants on six benefits onto Universal Credit as part of "managed migration".

Letters were sent to some claimants who are on certain benefits in September, meaning benefits could end in December if they ignore the notices. Eligible households on legacy benefits, including tax credits, are sent "migration notices" in the post which tell them how to make the move to Universal Credit as it's not automatic.

Households must apply for Universal Credit within three months of receiving their managed migration letter. You may be moved to Universal Credit if your circumstances change, such as moving home, changing your working hours, or having a baby.

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But eventually everyone will be moved over to Universal Credit under the managed migration process. It was initially planned that those claiming income-related ESA alone would not be moved until 2028, but the DWP brought forward plans to move these households to Universal Credit by the end of 2025.

Since September 2024, 800,000 households have begun receiving letters explaining how to move from ESA to Universal Credit. The DWP states: "Anyone affected will be sent a 'migration notice' by DWP to apply for Universal Credit as the department continues to transition over a million claimants on legacy benefits to Universal Credit. Legacy benefits – such as tax credits, Housing Benefit, Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance and income-related Employment and Support Allowance – are being phased out to bring Government financial support into one place.

"And, importantly, the majority of people will not be worse off under Universal Credit." Using an online benefits calculator, which is free and easy to use from charities such as Turn2Us and EntitledTo, can help those who claim benefits see if they'll be worse off.