DWP issues warning to 60,000 people receiving Universal Credit notices

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued an alert to be vigilant for crucial ‘migration notices’, as the Government gears up to transition individuals onto a more ‘modern benefit regime’. So far, an eye-opening 943,343 households have been notified about the upcoming changes, and expectations are set for over 60,000 notices to be dispatched each month from February 2025 until the year’s close.

The notices are pertinent to recipients of soon-to-be-cancelled benefits such as Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)—financial aid for those unable to work due to health or disability issues. More than 800,000 people are currently on this older benefit, but the DWP hopes to move them to Universal Credit by March 2026 – two years sooner than planned.

In a significant move today, the department also unveiled a £15 million funding elevation to fortify this initiative, alongside the assistance provided by Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland, crucial in aiding over a million Universal Credit applicants since 2019.

Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms MP, said: “This funding boost will support many people as they make the move from old benefits to Universal Credit – ensuring customers feel confident and informed throughout the application process. I want to encourage anyone receiving a migration notice over the coming months to act without delay to secure quick access to benefit entitlement.

“The biggest reforms to employment support for a generation will also ensure more people get the help they need to get into work and on at work, by overhauling jobcentres, tackling inactivity with local work, health and skills plans, and delivering a Youth Guarantee.”

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Dame Clare Moriarty, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, added: “Over the last five years our specially trained advisers have supported thousands of people across Britain to navigate the move from old benefits to Universal Credit. We make our service as accessible as possible, offering phone, chat and British Sign Language options, so we’re there for people as they move over.

“This funding boost is credit to the vital support our advisers provide and means we’ll be able to help even more people make their first application.” The DWP has laid out the exact dates you might receive a migration notice for Universal Credit.

These are listed below: