Millions of people across the UK who receive older, so-called 'legacy' benefits are facing a critical deadline, with a complete shift to Universal Credit set for March 2026. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is phasing out several long-standing payments in a process officially known as 'managed migration'.
Which Benefits Are Being Replaced?
The change will affect recipients of a range of support payments. The legacy benefits due to be completely replaced by Universal Credit include Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Housing Benefit, Child Tax Credit, and Working Tax Credit. These will be consolidated into the single Universal Credit payment, which many households already receive.
Your Migration Notice: The Crucial Letter
According to guidance from Citizens Advice and the charity Turn2Us, the process begins when you receive a formal letter from the DWP. This 'Universal Credit Migration Notice' is vital—it confirms your existing benefits are stopping and provides a deadline by which you must claim Universal Credit to continue receiving financial support.
Experts warn claimants to distinguish this from general preparatory leaflets. "If the letter you get doesn't have a deadline on it, it isn't your migration notice," Turn2Us advises. The official notice should give you at least three months from the date it was sent to make your claim.
Deadlines and Protecting Your Payments
Claiming by the deadline on your migration notice is essential for two key reasons. Firstly, it ensures your support continues without a break. Secondly, and crucially, it is the only way to be eligible for 'transitional protection'.
Transitional protection is an additional payment from the DWP designed to ensure you are not worse off financially after moving to Universal Credit. Citizens Advice confirms this safety net is only available if you claim by the deadline specified in your migration notice.
If you cannot meet the original deadline, you may request an extension from the DWP, but this must be done before the date passes. If you miss the deadline, you have a one-month grace period, known as the 'final deadline', to claim and still receive transitional protection. After this final deadline, you can still apply for Universal Credit, but you will forfeit any transitional protection, potentially leaving you with a lower income.
It is critical to remember that the move to Universal Credit is not automatic—you must apply yourself. Once you start claiming Universal Credit, you cannot revert to your old legacy benefits. All claimants are urged to be vigilant for their migration notice and to act promptly to secure their financial support during this significant welfare overhaul.
