By GB News (World News) | Created at 2026-06-20 12:51:05 | Updated at 2026-06-20 15:27:41
3 hours ago
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued fresh guidance on the transition to Universal Credit, with more than 360,000 people yet to make the switch ahead of a key June 30 deadline.
Government figures show that 2,353,319 people across 1,822,374 households received migration notices between July 2022 and the end of March 2026.
Of those contacted, 1,992,161 individuals have submitted claims for Universal Credit, leaving around 361,000 who have not yet taken action.
Social Security Minister Stephen Timms confirmed that some vulnerable claimants will be exempt from the June 30 deadline following a parliamentary question from Labour MP Luke Charters about support available to those moving from legacy benefits.
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance and certain Housing Benefit claims for working-age recipients are due to end on June 30.
Claimants making the transition can access support through the Move to Universal Credit Helpline, while Citizens Advice provides an independent Help to Claim service offering personalised assistance with making and managing applications.
Mr Timms said: "All customers have access to support throughout the process, including the Move to Universal Credit Helpline and independent Help to Claim support provided by Citizens Advice, which offers tailored assistance to help people make and manage their claim."
People whose Universal Credit entitlement would be lower than the amount they previously received through legacy benefits may qualify for Transitional Protection.
This safeguard is designed to ensure claimants do not immediately lose income when moving across to Universal Credit.
The DWP delayed the deadline in March to give claimants more time to complete the process.
It has identified that some Employment and Support Allowance recipients require personal or corporate appointees to manage their affairs but do not currently have those arrangements in place before the closure date.
These claimants will be exempt from the June 30 deadline to prevent them from being disadvantaged.
'We will exempt these customers': DWP confirms Universal Credit deadline reprieve for vulnerable claimants
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Mr Timms said: "In such cases, we will exempt these customers from the closure date to ensure they are not disadvantaged.
"This does not mean ESA will remain in payment indefinitely and a final closure date for these customers will be determined in due course."
Employment and Support Allowance claimants are regarded as potentially more vulnerable and can access enhanced assistance from the point they receive a migration notice.
This support includes the Enhanced Support Journey, which provides tailored contact and home visits from support officers for people who have not responded to their migration notice.
Universal Credit is replacing six legacy benefits as part of a wider reform of the welfare system.
The benefits being phased out include Child Tax Credit, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Income Support, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Working Tax Credit and Housing Benefit.
The DWP says consolidating these benefits into a single monthly payment is intended to simplify the system and support people into work or help them progress in their careers.
Citizens Advice has urged anyone who has not yet received a migration notice to contact the Department for Work and Pensions rather than waiting to be approached.
The organisation has warned that most remaining legacy benefits will end in July 2026 and advised claimants to act promptly to avoid interruptions to their payments.
Further information about migration notices is available through the Government's guidance pages.
