From Monday 22 January 2024, people in Doncaster claiming Tax Credits only will receive a letter from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) titled ‘Universal Credit Migration Notice’.
Between February and September 2024, Universal Credit (UC) will replace the following six legacy benefits. You will be affected if you currently receive:
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· Housing Benefit
· Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
· Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance |
· Child Tax Credits
· Working Tax Credits
· Income Support |
The changes will start with those people who are receiving Tax Credits in Doncaster being invited to make a claim for UC. If you are claiming only Tax Credits (and not claiming any other benefit including Housing Benefit), you will be the first people to receive a letter from the DWP titled ‘Universal Credit Migration Notice’.
This will notify you of the date you must make a UC claim by – this will be three months from the date of the letter. If no claim is made for UC within three months then your Tax Credits will stop. Other benefits claimants will receive their Migration Notices from April onwards.
When you are invited to make the move you will be eligible for ‘transitional protection’ payments. These payments will make up the difference if your UC entitlement is less than your previous Tax Credits or benefits.
Please note that if you move before you are officially invited by letter you will not get these payments and could lose money. Therefore, it’s important you do not make a claim to UC before you receive your official ‘Universal Credit Migration Notice’ letter from DWP.
Some Tax Credit claimants don’t make a UC claim because they think they won’t be entitled to anything. This isn’t always the case so it is worth checking – you never know, you might be pleasantly surprised! You can check this using our benefit calculator on the Advice and Support pages on our website.
If you are not sure if you are affected and what you need to do, contact DWP UC Migration Notice Helpline on 0800 169 0328. You can also get free support from Citizens Advice on 0800 144 8444.
Further information
You can find information about the Move to UC on the Government’s website at www.gov.uk/guidance/tax-credits-and-some-benefits-are-ending-move-to-universal-credit
There is also a helpful video with more useful info at www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wq98MuQG7c
Citizens Advice of the Doncaster Borough are running workshops to support people with managed migration. The events are every two weeks starting on Wednesday 31 January at the Helping Hands Community Center, Edlington Lane, New Edlington, Doncaster, DN12 1PL.
We will also be hosting our own drop-ins to help support you if you are affected by managed migration. Please come and visit us if you need advice, every Wednesday from 11am-3pm starting from Wednesday 7 February 2024, at Civic Office, Waterdale, Doncaster, DN1 3BU.