What is a Universal Credit Migration Notice?

What a Migration Notice is

A Migration Notice is a letter from DWP. It tells you that your current benefit is ending and that you need to claim Universal Credit by a set date, called your deadline date.

Some older benefits have already ended. Tax credits, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance and Income Support have been replaced by Universal Credit. Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Housing Benefit are now ending too.

Who gets one

You may get a Migration Notice if you get:

• income-related ESA
• Housing Benefit

If you live in supported or temporary accommodation, your council keeps paying your Housing Benefit. You claim Universal Credit for your other living costs.

There are separate rules if you are State Pension age, or in a couple where one or both of you are State Pension age. If this is you, read the letter carefully, as you may be able to claim Pension Credit instead.

What you need to do

1. Check your deadline date on the letter.
2. Get your details ready: bank account details, an email address, a phone, proof of identity (such as a driving licence, passport or payslip), and details of your housing costs, earnings, health conditions, childcare and savings.
3. Make your claim online before the deadline. Once you create an account, you must finish your claim within 28 days or start again.
4. Keep going with your account. Check your to-do list and reply to messages.

If you cannot claim by your deadline, contact the Universal Credit Migration Notice Helpline. You may get more time if you have a good reason, but you must ask before your deadline.

Transitional protection

If you would get less on Universal Credit than on your old benefits, you can get a top up called the transitional element. You do not need to apply. It is paid automatically if you claim by your deadline.

If you moved from tax credits with savings over £16,000, you can still get Universal Credit for 12 assessment periods. After that, the normal £16,000 limit applies.

What happens to your old benefits

• If you claim Universal Credit, your current benefit carries on for 2 more weeks.
• If you do not claim by the deadline, your last day on your old benefits is 2 weeks after the deadline.
• If you choose not to claim, your old benefits still end. You can claim later, but you will not get transitional protection.

You will not get transitional protection if you claim before you get a Migration Notice.

Help and contacts

Universal Credit Migration Notice Helpline: 0800 169 0328, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. Relay UK: 18001 then 0800 169 0328.

Free help to make your claim is available from the Citizens Advice Help to Claim service in England, Wales and Scotland.

If you live in Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland, Migration Notices cover income-related ESA and working age Housing Benefit for rent. You have 3 months to claim Universal Credit before your benefit payments end. You can only get more time with a good reason, and you must ask before the deadline. Contact the Universal Credit Service Centre for help.

Related guides

• How do I apply for Universal Credit?
• Am I eligible for Universal Credit?
• How much Universal Credit will I get?
• How do savings affect Universal Credit?
• When will I get my Universal Credit payment?

Where this comes from

• Move to Universal Credit if you get a Migration Notice letter (GOV.UK)
• Transitional protection if you receive a Migration Notice letter (GOV.UK)
• How the transitional element is calculated (GOV.UK)
• Universal Credit if you receive a Migration Notice letter (nidirect)