Huge change for half a million on benefits this year in Universal Credit shake up – key date to avoid losing £1,000s

HALF a million on benefits are set for a huge change this year and should be aware of a key date or risk losing thousands of pounds.

The move, known as managed migration, is seeing 500,000 transferred from old-style legacy benefits to Universal Credit.

The Government plans to move two million to Universal Credit or Pension Credit by the end of March 2025.

Some 600,000 on old-style benefits, such as those claiming income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) only, will also be moved by 2028.

But there are 500,000 people who will be asked to move to Universal Credit between this month and September.

Eligible households are being contacted via letters in the post which tell them how to make the move to Universal Credit.

Once you receive a letter, you have three months to move over.

If you do not, your old benefits, usually worth thousands of pounds a year, will stop automatically with no replacement.

That said, if you cannot make your claim for Universal Credit by the deadline, you can ask the DWP for an extension if it's for a "good reason".

The number to call is 0800 169 0328, and you must call before the deadline date on your letter.

From this month those on Income Support with tax credits and Housing Benefit will start getting migration notice letters.

Those claiming housing benefit alone will start getting migration notices from June.

Anyone getting Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) along with child tax credits will start being asked to switch from July.

Those claiming tax credits who are over state pension age will be asked to apply for either Universal Credit or Pension Credit from August.