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The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued a six month warning for people with a learning disability who receive tax credit benefits about the move to Universal Credit.
Universal Credit will now replace legacy benefits such as Tax Credits, Housing Benefit, Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Income-Related Employment and Support Allowance. They will be phased out by April 2025 to bring government financial support into one place.
Customers will be sent a migration notice, which they must respond to within three months to continue receiving benefits. All migration notices will be sent to claimants by the end of December 2025, but no action is needed until the letter is received from the DWP.
- Further reading: Mencap Easy Read about Universal Credit
- Easy Read: The Migration Notice letter and moving to Universal Credit
Sir Stephen Timms, Minister for Social Security and Disability, said: “Having three months to make a move may feel like a long time but life can often distract you elsewhere. For the best chance to secure your benefit entitlement don’t delay with responding to your migration notice.
“We are committed to ensuring a smooth transition and customers will have the full support of DWP staff to help manage this change.”
What is Universal Credit?
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Universal Credit is a single monthly payment to help people on low income with living costs. You can apply if you are working (including self-employed or part-time), are out of work, or have a health condition that affects your ability to work.
With Universal Credit, people may also be eligible for more financial support to cover other things such as childcare and housing costs.
Between July 2022 and June 2024, a total of 1,140,810 individuals were sent migration notices.
Anyone who needs support is encouraged to contact DWP for a smooth transition before their deadline.
The timeline for migration can be found below:
| Your current benefit: | When you may get your letter: |
| Tax credits, only if you are below State Pension age | From March 2023 |
| Tax credits with Housing Benefit | From April 2024 |
| Income Support – Income Support only – Income Support with tax credits – Income Support with Housing Benefit – Income Support with Housing Benefit and tax credits |
From April 2024 |
| Housing Benefits only | From June 2024 |
| Income-related Employment Support Allowance (ESA), with Child Tax Credits | From July 2024 |
| Tax credits (if you are of State Pension age and are asked to move to Pension Credit) | From July 2024 |
| Tax credits (if you are of State Pension age and are asked to move to Universal Credit) | From September 2024 |
| Income-based Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) | From September 2024 |
| Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) only | From September 2024 |
| Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) with Housing Benefit | From September 2024 |
