Migration Notice: moving to Universal Credit from older benefits

Older benefits in Britain are gradually being replaced by Universal Credit. The move is not automatic: you are told by letter, and then you must act.

What is a Migration Notice?

A Migration Notice is an official letter telling you that your previous benefits are ending and you need to claim Universal Credit. People are moved from benefits such as Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit, Housing Benefit, Income Support, income-based JSA and income-related ESA.

ADV · A001ONLYWAY JEWELRY — gold, silver and platinumRings, chains, bracelets, earrings and pendants. Delivery across the UK.Advertise here

What must you do, and by when?

You must claim Universal Credit yourself by the deadline in the letter. This is the key point: you will not be moved automatically, and if you do not claim in time your old payments stop and there is no support. Also important: your old benefits end as soon as you claim Universal Credit, and you cannot go back to them.

What if you would get less on the new benefit?

So that people do not lose out when they move, there is "transitional protection" — a top-up that can preserve your previous level of support at the point of moving. But it is only given to those who claim by the Migration Notice deadline — another reason not to delay or miss it.

How do you prepare?

When the letter arrives, do not ignore it. Gather details of income, housing and savings in advance, and have ID ready to verify yourself. If anything is unclear, call the migration support phone line in the letter, or get free help from Citizens Advice (the Help to Claim service). General information is on GOV.UK.

Why can't you ignore the letter?

A Migration Notice is not a newsletter but a deadline for action. If you do not claim Universal Credit by the date in the letter, your old payments stop, there are no new ones, and transitional protection is no longer available. At the same time, do not claim before you are ready: old benefits end the moment you claim, and you cannot go back.

How do you prepare for the move?

Gather details of income, rent or mortgage, savings and childcare costs in advance, plus ID to verify yourself online. Note that the first Universal Credit payment comes after about five weeks; if you are in need an advance is available, which is then deducted from future payments. If anything is unclear, use the support phone line in the letter or the free Help to Claim service at Citizens Advice, which is made for exactly these moves.