The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced that it will be expanding the ‘discovery phase’ of the managed migration process for people in Northumberland on legacy benefits to Universal Credit from mid-September. There are no locations in Scotland currently selected and no indication of when that will start.
However, SNP MP Stewart Malcolm McDonald, recently asked the DWP, what steps are being taken to ensure those migrated from legacy benefits to Universal Credit do not incur a loss of income as a result. DWP Minister, David Rutley MP responded that the “vast and on majority an average 55% of claimants will be £220 better off on Universal Credit”.
Some 2.6 million people on older-style benefits including Tax Credits, Housing Benefit. Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) and income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) will be sent a ‘Migration Notice’ over the next two years informing them they must make a claim for Universal Credit within three months from the date on the letter.
