We now know the groups who will be next to move to Universal Credit
The move to Universal Credit is picking up pace, with people on Income Support set to be the next to transfer.
If this is us, we should expect to receive a letter in the post. It will be called a Migration Notice, and it’ll tell us what we should do next.
It’s important to act as soon as it arrives as the move to Universal Credit is not automatic. If we don’t make an application we could be left without money when our old benefits stop.
Also due to move soon are those on tax credits with Housing Benefit. Then, from June 2024, it will be people on Housing Benefit only.
Who’s moving next?
From July 2024, people on ESA and child tax credits will receive Migration Notices. And then from September, those of us on Jobseekers Allowance will be moving.
People of pension age on tax credits (that includes mixed-aged couples) will be asked to move to Universal Credit or Pension Credit from August. The new benefit they move to will depend on their circumstances.
Previously, the move to Universal Credit has been decided by where in the country claimants live.
But now the transfers will be taking place in all areas.
Don’t miss out!
When we get our Migration Notice we then have three months to follow the instructions for moving to Universal Credit.
If we miss the cut-off, our benefits will stop before our Universal Credit claim has been processed.
There’s usually a wait of around five weeks between applying and receiving our first payment.
If we’re struggling to get by before the first payment comes through, we could get a loan called an Advance Payment.
The loan is interest free, and the repayments are taken off our future payments. So it’s a good idea to borrow only what we think we’ll need.
If we think we might need an Advance Payment, we should ask straight away. We can ask at our first interview once our online application has gone through, or by phone.
There’s help out there
If we’re part of managed migration – that is, if we receive a Migration Notice – our payment amount will be protected.
This is called ‘transitional protection’, and it tops up our Universal Credit to the amount we were receiving before. We don’t have to ask for this – but we’ll lose it gradually as it will be taken off annual rises in benefit payments.
If we’re struggling with any aspect of the move to Universal Credit, there’s a service called Help to Claim.
We can call for free, Monday to Friday, on 0800 144 8444.
Quids in! publishes a Guide to Universal Credit which helps with the Move to UC- ask your landlord if they have a copy or go to the Quids in! Store to buy single copies.
Image: Samson Katt / Pexels
