The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has begun the process of moving people from old legacy benefits to Universal Credit - this process is known as 'managed migration'.

You can learn more about the process of managed migration from Universal Credit if you receive a Migration Notice letter.

The DWP will contact you directly and invite you to claim Universal Credit. You will not be moved over automatically so you must apply. Your benefits will stop if you do not apply for

Universal Credit by the deadline date stated in your migration notice letter. Learn more about completing the move to Universal Credit. 

Transitional protection

For many on Universal Credit, their income will be the same as they received from their other benefits. If it is lower, 'transitional protection' may top it up. Transitional protection only applies if your move is due to managed migration.

You will not get this protection if you choose to move to Universal Credit before you receive your migration notice.

For many people, Universal Credit may mean they receive more benefits. This could apply to you if you:

• are in employment
• claim Housing Benefit and have non-dependents in employment who live at home

We recommend you use one of the approved benefits calculators on Gov.uk before making the move. Before the move, make sure you are claiming everything you are entitled to. If you would be worse off, you will be entitled to transitional support under the new scheme.

Help with making an application for Universal Credit

You can get help with applying for Universal Credit from the Citizens Advice Bureau.

Remember - your benefits will stop if you do not apply for Universal Credit by the deadline date stated in your migration notice letter.

Moving from Housing Benefit to Universal Credit

If you are moving from Housing Benefit to Universal Credit you will continue to receive Housing Benefit for two weeks after you claim.

The extra two weeks of Housing Benefit will not affect how much Universal Credit you get.

You do not need to contact the DWP or us to get this extra two weeks of Housing Benefit. It will be paid automatically when you first claim Universal Credit.

You will only get the extra two weeks of Housing Benefit once. This will be when you first claim Universal Credit.

Moving from Housing Benefit to Universal Credit also means your rent will be paid differently. Here are some important things you should do to prepare.

You need to have a bank account

To receive your payment, you need a bank or building society account. You may want to set up a separate basic bank account. This will help you to keep the money you need for your rent separate from the money you use for other spending.

Set up a suitable payment method to pay your rent

If you currently get Housing Benefit, your rent will no longer be paid directly to your landlord.

The money you will receive towards your rent will be included in your monthly Universal Credit payment. You will need to pay your landlord yourself, for example by Direct Debit.

Plan ahead with your rent, make it a priority

Because it can take up to five weeks to get your first payment, you need to make sure you have enough money put by for your rent so you don’t fall behind. Try to make small but regular additional payments to your rent account to make this more manageable.

Draw up a monthly budget

Because Universal Credit is paid monthly, you may need to make changes to the way you budget. You can request personal budgeting support from your Jobcentre Plus work coach when you claim Universal Credit.

Internet access

The DWP expect you to claim Universal Credit and manage your account online. If you need help getting online, speak to your local Jobcentre Plus or you may find it helpful to use the Citizen’s Advice Help to Claim Service.