DWP benefits warning as thousands could have payments stopped this month - how to stop it

Tax Credit claimants who received a migration notice in April will need to make a Universal Credit claim this month

Thousands of benefit claimants could see their payments stopped if they don't take action this month.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is currently working to move people claiming older legacy-style benefits onto Universal Credit. In April, the benefits department sent out Migration Notices to people claiming Tax Credits alongside Housing Benefit. It noted that 500,000 would be receiving notices in the following months.

Under the rules, once you receive a migration notice you have three months to put in a claim for Universal Credit. If you don't you will have your benefit payments stopped. As we hit July, this means those who received their notices in April will have to put in their claim within the month.

You can put in your claim online, or over the phone by calling the Universal Credit Migration Notice helpline on 0800 169 0328, or you can also ask your local Job Centre. Once you have made your claim, you will have to wait five weeks until your first Universal Credit payment and you will continue to receive it going forward - unless your circumstances change.

Have you faced any issues when moving over to Universal Credit from a legacy benefit? Let us know by emailing: [email protected]

As part of the DWP's ongoing plan from July, people claiming Employment Support Allowance with Child Tax Credits will receive their migration notices, followed by Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) claimants in September. People claiming Employment Support Allowance (ESA) and those claiming it with Housing Benefit will start to receive their migration notices from Autumn - although an exact date is yet to be confirmed.

In April DWP figures revealed that 31,460 households receiving Tax Credits had their benefits stopped because they did not act after receiving their migration notice between November 2022 and September 2023. At the time, a DWP spokesperson said: "The vast majority of Tax Credit claimants have successfully moved to Universal Credit, accessing the vital safety net provided to millions as they build towards financial independence. There is a range of support available to help people move, including extensions for those who need extra support."