Millions of households are at risk of losing benefit payments this Christmas if they fail to act on deadlines to switch to Universal Credit.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is moving all legacy benefit claimants to Universal Credit under a process called managed migration.
Households receive letters instructing them to complete the move within three months or risk having their payments stopped.
Unlike last year, when the DWP granted a 30-day extension for deadlines falling between December 11 and January 5, no extension will be offered this year.
This means those who received migration notices in late September or early October must act promptly to avoid losing their benefits over the festive period.
The DWP advises claimants to act early if their deadline overlaps with the festive season.
It added: “Anyone moving to Universal Credit can get expert advice and support through our dedicated helpline and Help to Claim Service.”
The transition affects recipients of:
- Working Tax Credits
- Child Tax Credits
- Income-Based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income Support
- Housing Benefit (for those under State Pension age).
These benefits will be permanently discontinued in April 2025.
Those receiving migration notices as part of the final batch in December 2024 must apply for Universal Credit by March 2025 to maintain their payments.
For income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), migration notices will be sent out by the end of 2025, with payments stopping entirely in April 2026.
