What is the managed migration timeline from Working Tax Credit to Universal Credit?

Full answer

Managed migration is the process by which DWP moves existing Working Tax Credit (and other legacy benefit) claimants to Universal Credit. The programme has been rolling out across Great Britain since 2022 and is expected to complete by the end of 2025. How the migration notice works 1. DWP sends a migration notice letter by post to the claimant's last known address. The notice gives the claimant a deadline -- usually 3 months from the date of the letter -- by which they must make a new Universal Credit claim. 2. If the claimant makes a UC claim before the deadline, the legacy benefits stop and UC begins. DWP assesses whether transitional protection applies. 3. If the claimant does not claim by the deadline, Working Tax Credit (and any related Child Tax Credit) stops automatically on the deadline date. The claimant can still claim UC afterwards but will have lost legacy entitlement and may face a gap in income. Transitional protection If a claimant's UC entitlement (calculated under standard UC rules) is lower than the legacy benefit amount at the point of migration, a transitional element is added to make up the shortfall -- so there is no immediate income drop on day one. The transitional element is not permanent. It erodes over time as: -- The claimant's circumstances change (change of earnings, household composition, housing costs) -- UC standard amounts are uprated -- the transitional element absorbs the increases until it reaches zero What to do if you cannot claim online Universal Credit is primarily a digital service, but claimants can call the UC helpline if they cannot use the internet. Jobcentres can also assist. Support groups and Citizens Advice can help with the claim process. Natural migration vs managed migration Natural migration occurs when a claimant's circumstances change (e.g., a new child, change in employment) triggering a move to UC automatically. Natural migration does not give transitional protection. Only managed migration (following a migration notice) triggers transitional protection. Completion target DWP aims to complete managed migration of all legacy claimants by March 2026. Claimants who have not yet received a migration notice should expect one in the next 12 months.

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