The move to Universal Credit

The move to Universal Credit

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR RESIDENTS IN NEWCASTLE

 

From Early January 2024, The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) are writing to people claiming one or more of the following "Legacy" benefits asking them to make a claim for Universal Credit:

  • Tax Credits
  • Income-Based Jobseekers Allowance (JSA)
  • Income-Related Employment Support Allowance (ESA)
  • Income Support
  • Housing Benefit

These letters are called "Migration Notices".  If you get one of these letters you need to make a claim for Universal Credit before the deadline date given on your letter.  If you do not make a claim by this deadline date your current benefits will stop.

Managed migration timetable.

From the dates below the government will start writing to people inviting them to claim Universal Credit.  They will sending you a "migration notice" which will have a deadline date in which you will need to claim Universal Credit.

  • From April 2023 to March 2024 -  Working Tax Credit and/or Child Tax Credit and not on any other 'legacy benefit'
  • April 2024 - Income Support claimants and those claiming Tax Credits with Housing Benefit
  • June 2024 - Housing Benefit only (not supported or temporary accommodation)
  • July 2024 - Employment Support Allowance (ESA) with Child Tax Credits (and Housing Benefit)
  • August 2024 -  Tax Credits claimants who are over state pension age.
  • Autumn 2024 (dates TBC) - Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) only (or ESA and Housing Benefit only); and Jobseeker's Allowance (and Housing Benefit).

The aim is that Migration Notices will have been sent to all legacy benefit claimants by the end of December 2025.

Do I have a choice in moving to Universal Credit?

If you get a Migration Notice, you must claim Universal Credit by the deadline to avoid losing income. Legacy benefits will stop after three months. If you haven’t received a notice yet, you may still choose to claim Universal Credit if your circumstances change.

 

Would I be better off or worse off on Universal Credit?

If you haven’t received a Migration Notice, deciding whether Universal Credit is better or worse for you can be tricky. Use self-help calculators to compare your current benefits with Universal Credit.

Things to consider:

  • Universal Credit is paid monthly in arrears.
  • You must wait at least 5 weeks for your first payment.
  • You need to manage your claim online (although you can claim by phone as well).
  • Rent help is included in your payment, and you must pay your landlord directly.
  • There may be more work-related requirements.
  • The DWP may deduct certain debts from your payments.
  • If your Universal Credit amount is lower than your legacy benefits, you will drop to that level (except in certain cases with Severe Disability Premium).
  • You may have to pay more Council Tax if you claim Universal Credit - Please contact and speak to a benefits advisor about this.

This toolkit for advisers may help you decide

We have produced a Universal Credit natural migration toolkit for advisers pdf (236kb). It gives examples of where someone might be better off and worse off claiming Universal Credit. They are only examples, and more than one example may apply. 

In Newcastle there are number of independent benefit advice services listed in the booklet Where to Get Benefit and Debt Advice in Newcastle.

What else should I claim?

Universal Credit does not replace Council Tax Support so:

Universal Credit is replacing 6 means tested benefits listed above. All other benefits still continue.

Applying for Universal Credit

You normally have to apply online for Universal Credit through the Government website. But you can also make a telephone claim by calling the UC helpline 0800 328 5644.

Apply for Universal Credit on Gov.uk

Support with Universal Credit in Newcastle

These services can help you claim Universal Credit and support you if you have difficulty:

Support for Universal Credit claimants in Newcastle

Related Pages

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