As part of this move, claimants of tax credits will be moved to Universal Credit by the end of April 2025, it has been confirmed.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is axing a benefit claimed by thousands of people in April. As part of this move, claimants of tax credits will be moved to Universal Credit by the end of April 2025, it has been confirmed.
Anyone moving from tax credits to Universal Credit can find help in a number of ways. You can visit your local Jobcentre by searching online and there’s also a free service called Help to Claim from Citizen’s Advice, too.
The England phone number is 0800 144 8 444, Scotland’s is 0800 023 2581 and Wales’ is 08000 241 220. The government is phasing out several legacy benefits by March 2025.
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These are: Tax Credits, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) and Housing Benefit. The DWP plans to contact all remaining legacy benefits claimants by December 2025.
Once they receive a letter they have three months to move over to Universal Credit. Sir Stephen Timms, the Labour Party MP and minister for social security and disability, warned households not to delay in moving to Universal Credit.
He said: “As we start the new year, families across the country are thinking about what’s next. With this in mind, I encourage everyone who has received a migration notice to act as quickly as possible and move onto Universal Credit.
“We know how quickly time can pass when you’re busy – and with just three months to go until Tax Credits close on the 5th of April – now is the time to respond to your Universal Credit migration notice to continue receiving benefits.”
The DWP claims 55% of people will be better off on Universal Credit, and 35 per cent would be worse off. The rest will see no change. If you cannot claim online then you can call the Universal Credit Migration Notice Helpline on 0800 169 0328.
The line is open from Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.