A staggering 356,521 households have had their Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits stopped after failing to respond to important migration letters. These notices are part of the managed migration system, which requires claimants to transfer from six legacy benefits to Universal Credit.
Managed migration, launched in July 2022, involves sending letters to households receiving legacy benefits. The letters outline the steps needed to move onto Universal Credit—a single payment designed to replace various means-tested benefits and tax credits for working-age households.
Recipients of these letters have a strict three-month deadline to claim Universal Credit. Missing this window can result in the termination of their existing benefits. Despite multiple delays in the Universal Credit rollout, the government announced in April 2024 plans to speed up managed migration. The goal is to contact all remaining legacy benefit claimants by December 2025, with full migration and closure of legacy benefits expected by March 2026.
According to the latest DWP data, out of 2,352,886 migration notices sent so far, 1,985,703 individuals have successfully claimed Universal Credit, and another 10,667 cases are underway. Claimants who submit their Universal Credit application within one month after the deadline may still receive transitional protection.
Legacy benefits and tax credits end when claimants move to Universal Credit or on the day before their respective deadlines if no claim is made. However, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), and Housing Benefit continue for two weeks after entitlement ceases.
To support vulnerable claimants, the DWP offers an ‘enhanced support journey’ for those on income-related ESA and Income Support. This program kicks in 12 weeks after the migration notice is issued, providing additional assistance through phone contact and, if needed, home visits to help with Universal Credit claims.