If you hate goodbyes, you are not alone. Unfortunately, we must say goodbye to a particular benefit, as nearly 2.1 million people are facing its end. Fortunately, the DWP gives ‘transitional protection’ to one group who are being moved to the next best thing. Discover why this major transition is happening, how the entire process will go about, and who will benefit in particular from the DWP’s transitional protection. Thousands have already completed the transition process. Will you?
Goodbye to this benefit as 2.1 million face its end
Nearly 2.1 million beneficiaries of current legacy benefits will have to say goodbye to their benefits as they know them. These benefits are coming to an end, which is why so many beneficiaries are being transitioned to Universal Credit. Beneficiaries of the following benefits will have to transition to Universal Credit:
- Working Tax Credits
- Child Tax Credits
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Housing Benefit
According to a report by Citizens Advice, you may have to transition due to one of the following reasons:
- You received a Migration Notice
- Your circumstances have changed, which has stopped one of your legacy benefits
- Your legacy benefit may not end soon, but you want to transition anyway
If you receive a Migration Notice, you must transition before the end of the Migration Notice period, or you will no longer receive benefits. Fortunately, the process is much simpler than it sounds.
The Migration Notice period
According to the official statement from the UK Government, beneficiaries of current legacy benefits will receive a timely notice of the transition to Universal Credit. A Migration Notice is sent to these beneficiaries three months before the date on which they must start claiming Universal Credit. This way, they will continue receiving benefits. The notice also details additional vital information about the transition.
Beneficiaries of legacy benefits will also receive reminders to register their Universal Credit claims. The first reminder will be sent during week 7 in the form of a letter. Should there be no registration after the first reminder, a second reminder will be sent during week 10 in the form of a text message. Of course, some people may delay the entire process.
Anyone who is delaying the transition may want to consider finalising the claim soon, as Universal Credit beneficiaries will qualify for this family payout worth £1,768 right before Christmas. Additionally, the DWP gives transitional protection to one group.
DWP gives ‘transitional protection’ to one group
There is a bonus for some beneficiaries. Some benefits will still be paid out two weeks after applications for Universal Credit have been filed, but only if the beneficiaries remain eligible. These benefits include:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Housing Benefit
What’s more, these additional payments are non-refundable, and they will not impact the Universal Credit benefits you will receive. The DWP will also offer an enhanced support journey to beneficiaries of Income Support and Income-related Employment and Support Allowance. This support typically starts in week 12, right before the deadline, and includes:
- System checks
- Home visits
- Outbound calls
- Contact with support organisations in local communities
In conclusion, when you are notified to transition, register your claim sooner rather than later. If your home, family, or work circumstances have changed, and you wish to continue receiving financial support, report your changed circumstances as soon as possible. And remember, once you have completed the transition, there is no going back. Change can be daunting, but it is inevitable, so you might as well embrace it. Another upcoming daunting DWP change is the end of the 66 retirement era, which has left millions rattled.
Disclaimer: Our coverage of one-off payments, support payments, tax reliefs, tax refunds, tax credits and other payments is based on the official sources listed in the article. All payment amounts and dates, as well as eligibility requirements, are subject to change by the governing institutions. Always consult the official source we provide to stay up to date and obtain information for your decision-making.
