Over 356,000 Households Lose DWP Benefits After Missing Migration Letters

356,521 households have had their Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits stopped after ignoring critical migration letters sent as part of the managed migration system to Universal Credit. This significant number highlights the impact of the ongoing transition from legacy benefits to the new system.

Managed Migration System and Deadlines

Managed migration began in July 2022, targeting households receiving one of six legacy benefits. These households are sent letters explaining the necessary steps to move to Universal Credit. Claimants have just three months from receiving the letter to make the switch, or they risk losing their existing benefits entirely.

Universal Credit is designed to replace a range of means-tested benefits and tax credits for working-age households, streamlining support into a single payment. The rollout has faced repeated delays, but in April 2024, the government announced plans to accelerate the process.

Current Statistics and Timelines

The DWP now aims to contact all remaining legacy benefit claimants by December 2025, with the goal of closing legacy benefits by the end of March 2026. Recent data reveals that:

2,352,886 migration notices have been sent to individuals.
1,985,703 have successfully made a Universal Credit claim.
10,667 cases are currently in progress.
356,521 households lost benefits after failing to act within the deadline.

Claim Deadlines and Transitional Protection

If a person misses their deadline but claims Universal Credit within one month, they are treated as having claimed on time and can still receive transitional protection in their award. Entitlement to legacy benefits or tax credits ends either when they claim Universal Credit or the day before their deadline if no claim is made.

For some benefits, such as Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), and Housing Benefit, payments continue for two weeks after entitlement ends to provide a buffer.

Enhanced Support for Vulnerable Claimants

The DWP has introduced an enhanced support journey for income-related ESA and Income Support claimants who need extra assistance. This support is provided 12 weeks after a migration notice is sent and includes additional phone contact and, if necessary, home visits to ensure claimants can navigate the transition smoothly.

This measure aims to reduce the number of households losing benefits due to oversight or difficulty in accessing services, emphasizing the importance of timely action in response to migration notices.