A total of four groups who receive benefits are set to receive a financial boost as they are moved over to Universal Credit, from their existing Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits.
The DWP has issued official advice on how benefit claimants will receive their extra money, reports North Wales Live. This only applies to those who are migrating from DWP benefits to Universal Credit.
It has been predicted that due to the harsh winter looming on the horizon, many people will be making difficult choices with their money, such as the weekly shop or heating their home. The DWP is looking to phase the following benefits out, with the claimants being moved over to Universal Credit:
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Those affected by this change will receive a Migration Notice in the mail, informing them that their benefits will be ending. While some moving over to Universal Credit will stay on the same money, some will also see a boost to their claims.
Those who would otherwise see a reduction in their benefits will see their payments maintained at the same level on a temporary basis under a policy called "transitional protection". The DWP have stated: "On Universal Credit, most people will be entitled to the same amount they received from their previous benefits or more.
"If the amount you are entitled to on your existing benefits is more than you will get on Universal Credit, a top-up is available. This is called transitional protection.
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"You can only get this top-up if you have received a Migration Notice letter from DWP and claim by the deadline date on your letter. If your circumstances change before you make your claim, this may affect the amount you get. You should claim as soon as possible to make sure the amount you are currently entitled to can be protected.
"Any transitional protection you receive as part of your Universal Credit claim may stop if you have a change in circumstances once you've made your claim."
The DWP also revealed that approximately 55 per cent of the 2.6 million people claiming legacy benefits would get more money by switching to Universal Credit - with 900,000 receiving less in these odds. Also, the DWP stated that the transitional protection period would "erode over time".
With the Migration Notice currently being sent to claimants across the UK, this notice will inform people that they need to make the switch to Universal Credit. It also lets them know how the process will work, and any steps they may need to take.
The groups of claimants to get a Universal Credit payment boost
The following claimant groups will see a boost to their benefits once they switch to Universal Credit:
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) Support Group who are not in receipt of the Severe Disability Premium
- People who are in work who have been getting Housing Benefit only or Working Tax Credit and Housing Benefit
- Those who do not work sufficient hours to claim Working Tax Credit
- People who have not been claiming all of the legacy benefits that they are eligible for
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