Moving to Universal Credit from other benefits

  1. Overview
  2. Who can claim Universal Credit
  3. Better or worse off?
  4. Changes in your circumstances (natural migration)
  1. Choosing to change to Universal Credit (natural migration)
  2. Managed migration
  3. Transitional protection
  4. What else you need to know

5. Choosing to change to Universal Credit (natural migration)

You can voluntarily choose to apply for Universal Credit at any time, even if you do not have a change of circumstance.

If you are on legacy benefits now but have not received a migration notice from the DWP, you should only claim now if you will be financially better off on Universal Credit.

If you choose not to claim Universal Credit, as long as you have not received a migration notice, nor had a relevant change of circumstances, you can remain on your legacy benefits.

The DWP is currently encouraging people on legacy benefits whose circumstances have not changed to claim Universal Credit. Although you might be better off on Universal Credit, rather than legacy benefits, you could also end up worse off, so it is important to get advice first.

You can get help from the Citizens Advice Help to Claim Service. You can also telephone them free of charge on 0800 144 8 444.

Transitional protection

One of the main problems with natural migration is that for most people there is no transitional protection (additional money to stop you being worse off on Universal Credit).

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Benefits and financial help