Anyone still claiming the benefit is being urged to act fast to avoid their payments being stopped
The DWP will be making final payments of a certain benefit over the coming weeks before it is scrapped forever.
Anyone who is still claiming tax credits is being urged to apply for Universal Credit immediately if they haven’t done so already.
These people face losing their benefits if they have not moved themselves over to the new benefit. The process is not automatic.
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And the threat is very real after it was revealed 355,000 people have had their benefits stopped after failing to apply for Universal Credit.
Tax credits will be axed from April and no more payments will be made from that point.
It’s part of the huge overhaul of the welfare system which is seeing a number of ‘legacy benefits’ being scrapped.
Claimants of these benefits are gradually being sent migration notice letters in the post informing them of the need to apply for Universal Credit instead, with tax credits being the latest.
Anyone on tax credits who has not done so needs to act fast.
Martin Lewis’ Money Saving Expert has warned affected households. They said: “Tax credits warning. They END on April 5.
“Don’t ignore crucial letter or you could lose your benefits. There are still 100,000s of people on tax credits, but the scheme’s due to be switched off in April.
“If you get them, be aware the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) has been sending letters by post to many people saying they must now apply to switch to Universal Credit.
“DON’T IGNORE IT, or your benefits will be cut off. Tragically this has happened to three in 10 people who have had letters in the past.”
The Government said: “Universal Credit is replacing tax credits.
“If you do not claim by the deadline date in that letter your existing tax credits payments will stop, even if you have just renewed your tax credits claim.”