DWP sending 60,000 letters to benefit claimants urging action after £15million boost
DWP sending 60,000 letters to benefit claimants urging action after £15million boost
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The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is ramping up its Universal Credit migration from next week, with households claiming income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and ESA with Housing Benefit being told to move over to the newer benefits system. Amid a sped-up timetable, 60,000 notices will be sent from February through to the end of the year.
The DWP claims this surge will transition more individuals into a contemporary benefits system, aiding them in job searches and employment transitions. Moreover, the DWP is chasing some claimants to make the switch, 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.".
Previously, the last batch of Migration Notices was dispatched in October, providing Tax Credits claimants with a three-month heads-up to apply for Universal Credit before their current benefits cease. Tax Credits recipients who haven't switched to Universal Credit must act swiftly to avoid payment disruptions in April, as the shift isn't automatic and their financial support could stop.
The DWP has also unveiled a £15 million funding increase for the Help to Claim initiative, aiming to assist over 800,000 people transitioning from ESA to Universal Credit by March 2026, two years ahead of the original schedule. This financial boost is set to enhance the complimentary, impartial advice provided by Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland, which have already aided over a million individuals in applying for Universal Credit since the service's inception in 2019.
