UK households claiming 10 benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) have been warned to act or their payments will stop.
The DWP is urging people to respond to their Universal Credit migration notices so they can continue receiving their benefits.
Tax credits are closing in April 2025 and claimants must respond to letters from the DWP or benefits payments could be stopped.
More than a million people will be affected by the change and will be sent a ‘migration notice’ to apply for Universal Credit, but the switch won’t be made automatically so claimants must act once they receive their letter.
Anyone claiming ‘legacy’ benefits, which includes Tax Credits, Housing Benefit, Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Income-Related Employment and Support Allowance, needs to apply for Universal Credit as these benefits are being phased out.
The DWP says claimants have three months from the date on their migration notice to apply and don’t need to take any action until they have received their migration notice.
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.”
The DWP has set out a timeline for the migration to Universal Credit for the following 10 legacy benefits claimants. The dates you should have received your migration notice are as follows:
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