The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has intensified its efforts to transition hundreds of thousands of UK households from legacy benefits to Universal Credit, warning that failure to act could lead to the loss of essential financial support.
This shift is part of a long-term reform of the welfare system aimed at simplifying payments and improving administrative efficiency.
According to GB News, the department is targeting recipients of five specific legacy benefits: tax credits, income support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, housing benefit, and income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), all of whom must complete the switch within a strict timeframe.
Managed Migration Sees Sharp Escalation
Since the official launch of the managed migration in July 2022, following a pilot in 2019, the DWP has accelerated its efforts to reach all remaining legacy benefit claimants. So far, 381,440 individuals have lost their benefits after failing to respond within the required three-month period outlined in their migration letters.
Recipients of ESA, in particular, are now being prioritized. This benefit is designed to support people who “are unable to work due to illness or disability,” offering essential financial assistance. Around 400,000 such households are now required to complete their transition.
Revised Deadlines Shorten Migration Timeline
The original timeline set the migration deadline for ESA claimants at the end of 2028. This deadline has now been moved forward to March 2026, significantly reducing the available transition period.
According to the DWP, the current plan is to send final notices to all remaining ESA claimants by September 2025, providing a six-month buffer before benefits are cut off.
Currently, around 83,000 migration notices are being issued each month, in an effort to reach all remaining claimants in time.
Failure to Respond Leads to Loss of Support
Claimants who receive a migration notice have a strict three-month window to act. Failure to apply for Universal Credit within this period will result in an automatic termination of existing benefits.
This has already affected over 381,440 individuals, and the number is expected to rise unless recipients respond promptly.
The DWP reiterated that the transition is not optional and is part of a broader governmental effort to “streamline the benefits system”, replacing several payments with a single monthly Universal Credit disbursement.
Claimants Urged to Act Promptly
The DWP has closed new claims for four of the five legacy benefits already. The department strongly encourages recipients of migration notices to begin their Universal Credit application as soon as possible to avoid disruption in payments.
To date, around 200,000 ESA claimants have successfully made the transition, leaving approximately 400,000 more required to act in the coming months.
Help and Support for Claimants
Several forms of support are available to help with the transition. Jobcentre Plus locations can be found using the DWP’s online locator at find-your-nearest-jobcentre.dwp.gov.uk, offering in-person assistance for those needing guidance.
In addition, Citizens Advice provides free help through its Help to Claim service, accessible at citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/help-to-claim.
For those seeking to understand how the switch to Universal Credit might affect their finances, online benefit calculators can offer useful estimates.
The DWP continues to advise all remaining legacy benefit recipients to take prompt action upon receiving their migration notice in order to maintain uninterrupted financial support.
