Do not lose your benefits: what to do if you receive a Universal Credit Migration Notice

Some benefits and tax credits will soon be ending, and will be replaced by Universal Credit, including:

Child Tax Credit

Working Tax Credit

Housing Benefit

Income Support

Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

Income-based Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

If you are affected, you will receive a letter called a Universal Credit Migration Notice from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP). This letter will explain everything you might need to do and when. Some people may not need to move to Universal Credit. You will not need to move to Universal Credit if, you only receive Housing Benefit, and you or your partner:

Are of state pension age (aged 66 or older)

Live in temporary accommodation provided by a council because you were homeless

Live in supported accommodation, including refugees, hostels, extra care housing and some sheltered housing.

If you only receive new style benefits, such as the New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA (C) or New Style Job Seeker’s Allowance (JSA (C), then you will not need to move to Universal Credit. If you are not sure which benefits you are on, get in touch with Citizen’s Rights Project at info@citizensrightsproject.org What is Universal Credit? Universal Credit is a benefits system for people of working age who are on a low income. It is calculated on your income, and both people who are in and out of work may be eligible. More about Universal Credit: Universal Credit: What Universal Credit is – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) What is a Migration Notice? It is a letter which lets you know that your benefits are ending and being replaced by Universal Credit. It tells you what steps you need to take and when. Some people have already received their letters, and all letters are expected to be sent out by the end of December 2025. Do not confuse the letter with an informational leaflet. An informational leaflet may tell you to get ready for Universal Credit – if there is no clear deadline, it is not your migration notice. More information about migration notices: Universal Credit Migration Notice – Migration Notices | Turn2us What to do when you receive your Migration Notice Carefully read your letter. If your letter tells you that you should claim Universal Credit, note that this will not happen automatically. Follow any instructions in the letter, by the deadline provided. If you miss the deadline, your benefits will stop, and you could be left with no financial support. More information on the steps you need to take to move to Universal Credit: Steps you need to take to move to Universal Credit – Move to Universal Credit (ucmove.campaign.gov.uk) If you need help with understanding the steps you need to take, or making an application to Universal Credit, get in touch with the Citizen’s Rights Project at info@citizensrightsproject.org When is the deadline to apply? Each type of legacy benefit will be moving to Universal Credit at a different time. Your migration notice letter will specify the deadline by which you need to apply. The deadline is usually three months from the date you received your letter. More information about deadlines: When you need to apply for Universal Credit – Move to Universal Credit (ucmove.campaign.gov.uk) Universal Credit Eligibility for migrants with pre-settled and settled status Universal Credit is for people on a low income, who need help with living costs and those who have a health condition that affects their ability to work. Both people who are working and unemployed can be eligible for Universal Credit. You can find more information about eligibility here: Universal Credit: Eligibility – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) As well as the eligibility criteria, you also have to satisfy the following tests:

The presence test

Habitual Residence

Right to Reside Test

More about residence and presence tests: Presence and Residence Tests – What are the Presence and Residence Tests? | Turn2us If you have settled status If you have Settled Status, this means you have indefinite leave to remain (or ‘right to reside’). In most situations, if you have settled status and you are present in the UK at the time of making the application, this will be enough to satisfy the presence and residence tests. You will still need to meet the other eligibility criteria relating to your income and circumstances in order to make a successful claim. If you have settled status and have been absent from the UK for a significant period, you may be asked to prove that you have been habitually resident in the UK. More information about what it means to be ‘habitually resident’: Habitual Residence Test – How to satisfy the habitual residence test? | Turn2us If you have pre-settled status If you have pre-settled status, this means that you have limited leave to remain in the UK. This alone does not satisfy the ‘right to reside’ test. To satisfy the ‘right to reside’ test, you will need to show that you have a free movement right to reside in the UK. You may have the right to reside under free movement if you are:

A worker

A self-employed worker

A retained worker or self-employed worker

A student

A self-sufficient person

A jobseeker

A family member of an EEA national with settled or pre-settled status

You have a derivative right to reside

You have a permanent right to reside after living in the UK for 5 years (you may also be eligible to apply for settled status in this case)

More information about free movement rights: Right to Reside – Free movement rights to reside | Turn2us If you have an outstanding application to the EU settlement scheme (or an outstanding appeal or administrative review of a refusal) If you have made a late application to the EU Settlement Scheme, or your application has been refused and are awaiting an appeal or administrative review, you may have received a Certificate of Application. A Certificate of Application shows that your status is pending, and that you have made a valid application. It may state certain rights you have until a decision about your status is made by the Home Office. While the decision is pending, you may be eligible for Universal Credit if you can show that you have a free movement right to reside. You may have the right to reside under free movement if you are:

A worker

A self-employed worker

A retained worker or self-employed worker

A student

A self-sufficient person

A jobseeker

A family member of an EEA national with settled or pre-settled status

You have a derivative right to reside

You have a permanent right to reside after living in the UK for 5 years (you may also be eligible to apply for settled status in this case)

More about the free movement right to reside: Right to Reside – Free movement rights to reside | Turn2us How do I claim Universal Credit? You can find information on applying, as well as apply on: Universal Credit: How to claim – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) If you cannot apply online, you can contact the Help to Claim Service: Contact us about applying for Universal Credit – Citizens Advice If you live with your partner as a couple, even if you are not married or in a civil partnership, you will need to make a joint claim. One person should create an account and send the other partner a code. This code will allow the other partner to create an account linked to their partner’s. More information on claiming as a couple: Universal Credit: further information for couples – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) Contact the Citizen’s Rights Project on info@citizensrights.org for multilingual support and advice about applying for Universal Credit. What happens after I have made my claim? If you have made your claim online, the Department of Work and Pensions will contact you if any further information is needed. The Department of Work and Pensions will never text or email you asking for personal details. You may need to make an appointment with the Universal Credit team at your local Job Centre if:

They need more information

You cannot verify your identity online

Your existing benefits will stop when you submit your claim, and it usually takes around 5 weeks to receive your first Universal Credit payment. It is paid monthly in arrears. Information on what you can do to get ready for managed migration: Universal Credit Migration Notice – What can I do to get ready for managed migration? | Turn2us Further Support Universal Credit Migration Notice Helpline – 0800 169 0328 The Citizens Rights Project – multilingual information, advice and support for EU migrants in Scotland – Contact Us – Citizens’ Rights Project (citizensrightsproject.org) Citizen’s Advice – national, free advice service – Contact us about a Universal Credit application – Citizens Advice Money Helper – information on budget planning, managing money and bill prioritisation – Free and impartial help with money, backed by the government | MoneyHelper Money Saving Expert – information on budget planning, cost of living and other tips for saving and managing money – Money Saving Expert: Energy Help, Credit Cards, Flight Delays, Shopping and more National Debtline – provides debt advice – Debt advice | Free debt advice | National Debtline StepChange – also provides a debt support service – StepChange Debt Charity. Free Expert Debt Help & Advice