The DWP has been sending letters to hundreds of thousands of benefit claimants to remind them about upcoming changes to several benefits, as the department merges most legacy benefits into Universal Credit
The DWP has sent out letters to hundreds of thousands of benefit recipients, alerting them to imminent changes as the department consolidates most legacy benefits into Universal Credit. Under Universal Credit, the majority of claimants will receive equivalent amounts to what they previously got.
A Universal Credit payment comprises a standard allowance plus any additional applicable amounts. The DWP has been issuing “migration notices” to households receiving certain benefits, notifying them about the transition to Universal Credit.
Last year, the financial department announced it had ramped up the volume of migration notices being dispatched to households.
FromApril 1, 2026, both Income Support and Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) will cease to exist, with all existing claims for these benefits being terminated. The DWP anticipates that no one will still be claiming either benefit by April.
Upon receiving a migration notice, claimants will be given a deadline to initiate a Universal Credit claim, usually three months from receipt. Entitlement to the ending benefits will conclude two weeks following this date, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Those unable to claim by the migration notice deadline can request an extension from the DWP. Several benefits have already been phased out, including Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit (tax credits).
Additional schemes coming to an end include Income Support, Income-based Jobseekers Allowance (JSA), Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), and Housing Benefit (except for those in supported or temporary accommodation).
Meanwhile, other entitlements such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP) will remain unchanged. Your existing benefits will cease regardless of whether you opt to apply for Universal Credit.
According to GOV.UK: “Many people will be eligible for at least the same amount on Universal Credit as their previous benefit.
“If your Universal Credit entitlement is less than your previous tax credits or benefits then you may be eligible for financial protection when you move to Universal Credit. This additional amount is known as ‘transitional protection’.”
A 2022 DWP assessment revealed that 55 percent of legacy benefit recipients will see improved financial support under Universal Credit, whilst 35 percent would face reduced entitlement.
To safeguard those experiencing a shortfall, the DWP has introduced transitional protection. This mechanism supplements a Universal Credit award to equal previous payments and is automatically added to claims.
Pension credit remains unaffected by the transition to Universal Credit and will continue as normal. The government has announced intentions to align pension credit and housing benefit more closely to simplify assistance.
This integration is scheduled to take effect sometime during 2026. There’s no need to apply for transitional protection as it will be paid automatically.
You can apply for Universal Credit online. If you’re a resident of Wales, you have the option to claim in Welsh.
To make a claim, you’ll need to set up an account. Be sure to complete your claim within 28 days of creating your account, otherwise, you’ll have to begin from scratch.
