The government is currently in the transition period of moving people who claim benefits across to Universal Credit (UC), this is called Managed Migration. UC is replacing 6 benefits called ‘legacy benefits’. These include:

• Housing Benefit
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Child Tax Credits
• Working Tax Credits
• Income Support

Everyone of working age on the above benefits will have to move over to Universal Credit by the end of 2024/25.

You will migrate based upon the type and combination of benefits that you receive, based upon the below timetable

What does this mean to me?

This will mean that once you have received your migration notice, you will be required to make an application for UC, this can impact how or when your benefits are paid, including your rent.

You can ask for payments to be made directly to One Vision Housing, rather than to be paid directly to you, this will reduce any risk that you may accrue arrears on your rent account.

When you receive a migration notice

It is important that you do not do anything until you receive your letter which will advise when you are due to migrate. Your existing claims will not be moved automatically to Universal Credit, so once you’ve received your Universal Credit Migration Notice letter, you’ll need to make a claim for Universal Credit to continue to get financial support.

There will be a deadline in your letter which is 3 months from the date the letter was sent out. Your current benefits will end as soon as you submit your claim for Universal Credit and you will not be able to go back to your existing benefit once you have claimed. If you do not claim Universal Credit within 3 months of this Migration Notice Letter, your current benefits will automatically end so it is important that you do claim Universal Credit within this 3 month period.

However, you can move over sooner if you are better off on UC. If not, we advise you to wait for your UC Migration Notice Letter from the Government/DWP.

When you receive your UC Migration Notice you need to act – you will have three months to make a claim for UC, at the end of the three months your legacy benefits will stop.

You will need to consider within the three month period when it would be the best time for you to make the claim to ensure you protect and maximise your income.

We can assist you with advice to make sure you don’t lose out on what you are entitled to, please contact our welfare rights assistance services for further information. You can alternatively visit our cost-of-living support page for more information.

If you need help or assistance to apply for Universal credit:- You can call the free Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) Help to Claim Advisors on 0800 144 8 444. Lines are open 8 am to 6 pm, Monday to Friday. They can support you in the early stages of your Universal Credit claim, from the online application, through to support with your application before your first full payment.