DWP contacting 2m people over major Universal Credit change

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is in the process of moving more than two million people from their older benefits to Universal Credit.

The DWP plans to have contacted everyone affected by the next stage of the so-called "managed migration" process by December 2025. When it is your turn to make the move to Universal Credit, the DWP will send you a "migration notice" letter, giving you three months to make the switch to the new benefit.

Universal Credit is replacing the following six benefits: Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), Income Support, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Housing Benefit.

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Three months after you receive the migration notice, your existing benefits will be stopped. However, you can decide to make the switch before you get the notice from the DWP - if you think you'll be better off on Universal Credit.

You are advised to do your research before asking to be switched early, however, as you cannot move back to your existing benefits once you've made the move.

The DWP says 1.4million people (55%) will be better off on Universal Credit - with 900,000 (35%) worse off and the other 300,000 benefit claimants seeing no change. There are free online benefit calculators that can help give you an idea if you are likely to be better off on Universal Credit - including entitledto calculator and Turn2us calculator.

You are advised not to solely rely on these calculators, however, in case you have made a mistake inputting the information. It is best to seek expert advice before making the switch - from a benefits advisor, for example. They