Universal Credit managed migration

What is "migration" to Universal Credit?

Migration means that you may be told to move to Universal Credit from other benefits known as legacy benefits (Income Support, Income-based Jobseekers Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit, Housing Benefit). You may have to move because of "natural migration" which is because you have a change in your circumstances, or because of "managed migration". You will not be automatically transferred from your existing benefit(s) to Universal Credit, you will be required to submit a new claim for Universal Credit.

Managed migration explained

Managed migration is where the Government moves you on to Universal Credit from another benefit even if your circumstances have not changed. This process started on a small scale in 2022 only affecting some areas nationally. However this is now progressing steadily, and it is expected that most people in receipt of a legacy benefit (Income Support, Income-based Jobseekers Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit, Housing Benefit) will be moved over to Universal Credit by the end of March 2025.

As part of the Managed Migration process, the Government is writing to people inviting them to claim Universal Credit. The letter is called a Migration Notice. It's happening in stages depending which legacy benefit you are in receipt of.

When will I be asked to migrate to Universal Credit?

Notifications have been going out to households since January 2024. When you receive your notification will depend on which "legacy" benefit you currently receive. The government is currently working to the below timetable for sending out notifications to people

• From April 2024: Those households in receipt of Income Support, Income Support with Housing Benefit, Tax Credits with Housing Benefit
• From June 2024: Those households in receipt of Housing Benefit only (but not if you live in Temporary or Supported Accommodation)
• From July 2024: Those households in receipt of Employment Support Allowance with Child Tax Credits
• From August 2024: In receipt of Tax Credits and over pension age
• From September 2024: Those households in receipt of Job Seekers Allowance (Income Based) with Housing Benefit
• From September 2024: Those households in receipt of Employment Support Allowance without Child Tax Credits. The government will start to send letters out to this group in September 2024, but this will be on a phased approach until December 2025.

What shall I do when I get this letter?

When you do get this letter, do not ignore it. You must claim Universal Credit because your legacy benefit will stop after three months of the date of the letter. If you are late in making this claim you will lose any entitlement to "Transitional Protection". Transitional Protection is the difference between your existing entitlement and your entitlement to UC. If you were better off on your existing benefit and you claim UC before the deadline then you should be no worse off when you move to UC. If you make your claim for UC after the 3-month deadline then you will not be paid your Transitional Protection.

If you are living in rented accommodation and receive care, support or supervision as part of your tenancy or you are living in temporary homeless accommodation you will continue to claim Housing Benefit to support with your rent costs.

You have to claim Universal Credit online (or, you can claim it over the phone in limited circumstances)

More information is available from the Understanding Universal Credit website.

Useful contact numbers

• Help to claim: Tel 0800 1448444
• DWP migration helpline: Tel 08001690328

Local support and advice agencies

• Central England Law Centre - Tel 024 7622 3053
  A charity offering free legal advice and representation to people living in Coventry. It specialises in immigration advice, benefit appeal tribunals and employment and discrimination advice.
• Coventry Citizens Advice - Tel 024 7622 3284
  Free service offering debt advice and other advice services.
• Coventry Independent Advice Service - Tel 024 7652 1100
  A charity offering free advice, information and support to all Coventry residents.
• Coventry Age UK - Tel 024 7623 1999
  An advice service for people aged over 50.
• Coventry and Warwickshire MIND - Tel 024 7655 2847
  For mental health awareness and information.