Millions have been warned NOT to ignore a letter from the Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ). Universal Credit (UC) is gradually replacing tax credits, and some other social security benefits, as part of the managed migration system.
After focusing on tax credits last year, the DWP’s focus will move towards people receiving Income Support and the more than two million UK residents on Housing Benefit as the process continues with old, legacy benefits axed.
The migration starts with notices sent out by the DWP, which has already dispatched thousands since June to individuals on Housing Benefit and Income Support claiming benefits in combination with other legacy benefits like tax credits.
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After tax credits took priority last year, now the DWP will shift focus with 2.1 million households yet to transition. A migration notice will be sent to you by post. It will tell you that all your awards of any existing benefits which universal credit is replacing and that you are currently getting will terminate and that you will need to make a claim.
It also sets out the day, called the deadline day, by which you need to make your universal credit claim to be covered by transitional protection. If you are part of a joint claim, both of you, as joint claimants should be sent a migration notice.
This also applies for certain legacy benefits which are individual claims but the claimant has a partner for the purposes of that benefit. You can request a copy or duplicate of your migration notice but the original deadline day will be the same.
The migration notice will tell you the date that you must make your universal credit claim by. This is called the deadline day. Generally, you should have at least 3 months from the date the notice is issued to make your universal credit claim but sometimes DWP might give a longer period.