Making the move to Universal Credit

Universal Credit is a single monthly payment to help with your living costs. It provides support if you are working and on a low income, looking for work or unable to work.

Some benefits and tax credits are ending and are being replaced by Universal Credit under a single monthly payment. The benefits and tax credits ending are:

• Child Tax Credit

• Working Tax Credit

• Housing Benefit

• Income Support

• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is writing to most people who receive these benefits to let them know that they now need to claim Universal Credit instead.

This letter is called a Migration Notice and explains what you need to do and when. It also provides information on the help available to continue receiving support from the government.

You will not be moved automatically. You’ll need to make a claim for Universal Credit to continue to get financial support. There will be a deadline in your letter. This deadline will be three months from the date the letter was sent out. 

If you want some help with your Universal Credit application or you’re concerned about managing your income until you receive your first Universal Credit payment, there are different types of support available.