More than 280,000 people claiming “legacy benefits” have lost their financial support after failing to respond to their Universal Credit migration notice, according to new data from the DWP.
Universal Credit (UC) was introduced to streamline and simplify the benefits system by combining six ‘legacy’ benefits into a single monthly payment.
The legacy benefits include Working Tax Credits (WTC), Child Tax Credit (CTC), Housing Benefit (HB), income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Income Support (IS), and income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA).
By the end of 2018, Universal Credit was available at all Jobcentres for new customers. However, a significant number of households still receive legacy benefits.
This summer, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) began a benefit “migration” process, sending letters to those receiving legacy benefits, instructing them to switch to Universal Credit if still eligible.
People are given three months to make their claim, with the option to extend the deadline if needed.
However, many are believed to have missed this deadline, which could leave hundreds of thousands without essential support.
The DWP‘s statistics show that between July 2022 and June 2024, a total of 1,140,810 individuals across 771,810 households received migration notices.
Of these, 623,310 individuals have made a claim for Universal Credit, while a staggering 284,660 did not claim UC and have had their legacy benefit claims closed.
This means 68 percent have transitioned to Universal Credit, while 32 percent have lost their legacy benefits.
Meanwhile, a total of 232,830 individuals who were sent migration notices are still going through the move to UC process.
John Pring, editor and founder of the Disability News Service wrote on X: “So #DWP has just published stats on #UniversalCredit migration notices sent out between July 2022 and Feb 2024. More than a third of individuals did not claim UC and their legacy benefits were closed. This is hugely concerning, isn’t it.” (sic)
John McDonnell, Labour MP for Hayes & Harlington and former shadow chancellor responded: “This is extremely worrying. We need a speedy inquiry to clarify what is happening as this could mean many of the poorest are losing all support.”
Express.co.uk has contacted the DWP for comment.
Those who missed the migration deadline can claim Universal Credit later, however, normal Universal Credit eligibility rules will apply and they will not be entitled to transitional protection.
Transitional protection is available only to those who claim Universal Credit by the migration date deadline. It helps maintain eligibility for individuals who might not meet the new Universal Credit criteria.
How to claim Universal Credit
People can apply for Universal Credit online. An account needs to be created to make a claim.
The DWP said individuals must complete their claim within 28 days of creating the account or they’ll have to start again.
Those who cannot claim online are urged to call the Universal Credit Migration Notice helpline.
