The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is intensifying its efforts to move claimants from income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), with or without Housing Benefit, to Universal Credit. An ambitious target has been set to dispatch around 60,000 migration notices monthly to ESA recipients from February until the year’s end -making about 660.000.
This step-up in activity is part of a broader initiative to shift more individuals onto a contemporary benefits system designed to better assist job seekers and support their transition into employment. The DWP has highlighted their commitment, stating: “In addition, we are focusing on supporting those households who received a migration notice in 2024 and are yet to make the move, particularly before Tax Credits close on 5 April 2025.”
The most recent round of Migration Notices was sent out in October, giving those still claiming Tax Credits a three-month period to apply for Universal Credit before their existing benefits are terminated.
For those currently receiving Tax Credits and who have not yet applied for Universal Credit, it’s crucial to take action swiftly to prevent any interruption in payments come April, as the changeover to the new system will not happen automatically. In a related development, the DWP has announced an additional £15 million funding boost for the Help to Claim service, which aims to support over 800,000 people making the switch from ESA to Universal Credit by March 2026, achieving this goal two years earlier than the original 2028 target.
A substantial funding injection is set to bolster the free and independent advice services offered by Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland. Since 2019, these organisations have already supported over one million individuals in their Universal Credit applications, reports Teesside Live.
According to the Daily Record, Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms MP, has unveiled a considerable funding increase designed to facilitate a smoother transition for those moving from outdated benefits to Universal Credit.
Sir Stephen underscored the significance of this support, stating, “This funding boost will support many people as they make the move from old benefits to Universal Credit – ensuring customers feel confident and informed throughout the application process.”
He also encouraged prompt action from those receiving migration notices, saying, “I want to encourage anyone receiving a migration notice over the coming months to act without delay to secure quick access to benefit entitlement.”
Furthermore, Sir Stephen highlighted the scope of the reforms, which include a comprehensive overhaul of employment support. He explained, “The biggest reforms to employment support for a generation will also ensure more people get the help they need to get into work and on at work, by overhauling Jobcentres, tackling inactivity with local work, health and skills plans, and delivering a Youth Guarantee.”
Help to Claim’s expert advisers are on hand to assist anyone starting a new Universal Credit claim, including those transitioning from an older benefit, right up until they receive their first accurate payment.
These advisers help navigate the complexities of Universal Credit, from estimating potential payments to gathering necessary evidence and completing the application process. Dame Clare Moriarty, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, praised the service’s impact: “Over the last five years our specially trained advisers have supported thousands of people across Britain to navigate the move from old benefits to Universal Credit.”
“We make our service as accessible as possible, offering phone, chat and British Sign Language options, so we’re there for people as they move over. This funding boost is credit to the vital support our advisers provide and means we’ll be able to help even more people make their first application.”
The £240m earmarked in the Get Britain Working White Paper includes provisions for ‘trailblazers’ in local communities, designed to reach out to those who typically stay away from the system and to ensure that employment and skills support is fully integrated with health services. This integration is key to delivering all-encompassing health and employment assistance, helping individuals return to work and sustain their jobs.
The White Paper is set to develop these initiatives further. Complete information regarding the transition from legacy benefits to Universal Credit can be accessed on the GOV. UK website here.