DWP warning over letters being sent about major benefit changes affecting thousands

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is urging people to watch out for ‘migration notices’ in the post. They are part of the Government’s move to switch more claimants to what they call a ‘modern benefit regime’.

A total of 943,343 households have already been informed about this. More than 60,000 notices are expected to be dispatched in the post each month from February 2025 until the end of that year.

These notices concern those receiving benefits soon to be superseded by Universal Credit, including Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) – financial aid provided if you’re unable to work due to illness or disability. Currently, more than 800,000 people are on this older benefit, but the DWP aims to transfer them to Universal Credit by March 2026 – two years earlier than initially projected.

Join our Money Saving Club to receive all of the latest deals, tips and competitions to help you and your family. Sign up here for free to get emails straight to your inbox and start saving now.

Yesterday, it also unveiled a £15 million funding injection to back this initiative and the advice offered by Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland, which have assisted over one million Universal Credit claimants since 2019.

Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms MP, said: “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. I want to encourage anyone receiving a migration notice over the coming months to act without delay to secure quick access to benefit entitlement.

“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.”

On the same matter, Dame Clare Moriarty, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, added: “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 DWP has provided specific details concerning when recipients may anticipate receiving a migration notice for Universal Credit.

These are outlined below: