Universal credit (UC) was introduced by the government in 2013. It combined six key legacy benefits like employment and support allowance and income support into one monthly payment. It includes living cost benefits and housing cost support if you rent your home.
Until recently, people on legacy benefits could remain on them, unless specific changes happened in their lives that meant they had to move onto UC. Now, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) wants everyone to make the move, so they are starting to transfer over anyone still on legacy benefits. This process is called ‘managed migration’.
The DWP are inviting different groups in turn to join the UC system. They do this by sending out a special letter inviting you to apply for it. If you are still on the legacy benefits, look out for this letter.
It’s important that you don’t move onto UC until you receive the managed migration letter, or your circumstances change.
When you receive the letter, you have three months to start your application and, if you move before the deadline date in your invitation letter, the DWP will ensure that your legacy benefit allowances are protected by something called transitional protection.
Any disability or health benefits you claim, like disability living allowance or personal independence payment, will continue.
Most UC claims are managed via an online account, however if you aren’t able to manage your claim online it is possible to have a telephone claim awarded. There will be more details in the letter you receive from the DWP.
There are lots of places to get support when you receive a managed migration letter.
- Any Citizens Advice Bureau – find your local one on their website.
- The ‘help to claim’ telephone line, run by the Citizens Advice Bureau, for first time universal credit claimants – 0800 144 8 444 or you can chat to them about your application online.
- The DWP managed migration telephone line - 0800 169 0328.
- The DWP webpage on managed migration.
- You can also check which benefits you are entitled to on the entitledto website. Always take advice if you are unclear after checking your entitlement on a benefit checker.
If you are a Notting Hill Genesis resident and have any questions, please speak with your local officer who can check your query with our internal welfare benefits team.
