Universal Credit is replacing six benefits known as ‘legacy benefits’ in the UK. These are:
Most people who receive these legacy benefits will need to move onto Universal Credit. This can happen in a few ways:
If you receive a Migration Notice, you should claim Universal Credit by the deadline specified in the letter. If you claim before the deadline, the DWP might provide extra payments to ensure you are not worse off, known as ‘transitional protection’.
It’s important to check if you’ll be better off on Universal Credit before making the switch, as once you claim, you cannot revert to your old benefits.
For more detailed information, you can visit the Citizens Advice website or the GOV.UK guidance page.