The UK government has reaffirmed its position on the rules surrounding Universal Credit, confirming that transitional payments will not be expanded to cover new couples formed after claimants have already moved to the system.
The decision, which comes amid ongoing scrutiny of the welfare reform programme, highlights the limits of support available to those whose household circumstances change after migration from legacy benefits.
This clarification follows renewed political pressure to broaden eligibility for transitional protection—a mechanism designed to cushion claimants from income drops during the managed migration process.
Government Maintains Current Rules on Benefit Migration
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has ruled out any expansion of transitional payments under Universal Credit, reaffirming its current policy for claimants moving from legacy benefits. These payments, intended to ensure that recipients do not receive less than they previously did after switching to Universal Credit, will not be extended to individuals who form a couple and make a new joint claim following their transition.
The announcement comes in response to a parliamentary question raised by Labour MP Fabian Hamilton, who suggested that the government explore the potential benefits of offering transitional protection to couples who form a household after each partner has already moved to Universal Credit. Hamilton argued that such a measure could help reduce overall welfare spending and alleviate pressure on social housing.
No Support for Post-Transition Couples Forming New Households
Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms responded that the department had not considered such an approach and had no plans to alter the framework governing transitional protection. According to Timms, the policy was introduced “to ensure legacy benefit customers maintain the same level of entitlement on moving to UC at the point of transition.”
While the protection currently applies to both single individuals and couples who migrate to Universal Credit as part of the managed migration process, it does not extend to those who experience a significant change in circumstances, such as forming a new couple and submitting a fresh claim. In these instances, entitlements are recalculated based on the new household’s situation, which can lead to reduced payments.
Citing the Universal Credit (Managed Migration Pilot and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2019, Timms confirmed there were no intentions to revise the rules. According to BirminghamLive, he emphasised that transitional protection was never intended to cover post-migration changes such as the formation of a couple.
Completion of Benefit Migration Remains on Track
Universal Credit is gradually replacing six existing means-tested benefits: Income Support, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Housing Benefit, and income-related Employment and Support Allowance. The only remaining group yet to be transferred consists of claimants on income-related ESA.
According to the DWP, the managed migration process is expected to conclude by the end of this financial year. Transitional protection is designed as a temporary safeguard that diminishes over time, particularly as recipients’ circumstances evolve—for example, through changes in earnings, housing arrangements or household composition.
With no planned amendments to the current legislation, the department has reaffirmed its position that transitional support will remain limited to those who meet the original migration criteria, excluding new couples formed after moving to Universal Credit.
