A number of benefits claimed by millions of people are being phased out over the next year or so. It will mean big changes for people who rely on these payments every month.
These 'legacy' benefits are being scrapped and replaced with the single-payment Universal Credit (UC). Claimants of various benefits are being moved over to UC one by one.
People will be sent Migration Notice letters through the post when it is time for them to move over explaining what they need to do. They will have three months from that point to apply for UC or will be at risk of their payments stopping if they don't.
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The six legacy benefits being scrapped are:
- Tax credits: Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Claimants of these benefits are being contacted at different times and don't need to do anything until they receive their Migration Notice letter. Those who get Housing Benefit should be getting letters during June and will need to make sure they apply for UC.
They will be followed by those on Employment Support Allowance with Child Tax Credits from July. The DWP said: "You need to move to Universal Credit if you’ve received a Migration Notice letter, as one or more of your benefits will be ending soon.
"To continue receiving financial support you must claim Universal Credit by the deadline date given in your letter. This is three months from the date the letter was sent out.
"If you cannot claim Universal Credit by the deadline date, you should contact the Universal Credit Migration Notice helpline as soon as possible."
