DWP warning as some benefits will stop being paid by Christmas

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued a warning that several benefits are set to be discontinued by Christmas. Claimants will cease receiving payments from December on their current benefits, and they've been informed that they could lose cash entirely if they don't take crucial action.

The DWP is phasing out certain benefits and replacing them with the single Universal Credit (UC) payment. Individuals who receive these benefits need to apply for UC when they get a migration notice letter in the post.

Letters were dispatched to claimants of some benefits in September. These included: tax credits (if you are of state pension age), income-based Jobseekers Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) only, and Employment Support Allowance with Housing Benefit.

This means these benefits will stop being paid in December or when someone transitions onto UC. Anyone who receives any of these benefits and has received a migration notice has been urged to apply for UC as soon as possible.

Full instructions on how to do this will be in their letter and also accessible online. Those who fail to do so will have their payments halted, reports Birmingham Live.

People don't need to do anything until they receive their notice. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) commented: "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."

Sir Stephen Timms, minister for social security and disability, added: "Having three months to make a move may feel like a long time but life can often distract you elsewhere. For the best chance to secure your benefit entitlement don't delay with responding to your migration notice."

He also assured: "We are committed to ensuring a smooth transition and customers will have the full support of DWP staff to help manage this change."