Universal Credit Managed Migration Explained

How managed migration works

Managed migration is the process by which the Department for Work and Pensions moves people still receiving legacy benefits onto Universal Credit, rather than waiting for a change of circumstances to trigger the move naturally. The affected benefits are Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Housing Benefit, and tax credits (Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit).

Claimants receive a Migration Notice letter setting a deadline, which by law must be at least three months from the date of the letter. The claim itself has to be made online or by phone; it does not happen automatically, and legacy payments do not carry over without a new claim being submitted.

What happens if the deadline is missed

If the deadline passes without a claim, legacy benefit payments stop. Tax credit claimants in particular should be aware that once tax credits end, they cannot be restarted; a new claim has to be made for Universal Credit instead, and it may not be backdated to the original deadline unless a formal extension was requested in advance.

Claimants who have good reason for missing the deadline, such as illness, bereavement, or not receiving the notice, can ask DWP for an extension. This request should be made as early as possible and ideally before the deadline itself, since asking after the cut-off date puts the claimant in a weaker position.

Transitional protection and financial impact

Because Universal Credit and legacy benefits are calculated differently, some households would receive less under Universal Credit than they did under their previous benefit. Where a claim is made through managed migration (rather than triggered by a change of circumstances) and the household is otherwise eligible, DWP applies a Transitional Element to make up the difference at the point of the move.

This transitional amount is not permanent. It erodes as other elements of the Universal Credit award rise, for example following annual upratings, and it ends entirely if there is a relevant change of circumstances, such as a change in earnings or household composition.

Related reading: Money, Bills, Regulations, Before You.

Frequently asked questions

What action is required after receiving a Migration Notice?

Yes. A Migration Notice does not move you automatically. You must submit a new claim for Universal Credit before the deadline stated in the letter, or your legacy benefit payments will stop.

Could moving to Universal Credit mean a lower payment?

It depends on your circumstances. If your Universal Credit entitlement would be lower than your legacy benefit and you claim by the deadline through managed migration, DWP applies transitional protection to cover the gap at the point of the move, though this can reduce over time.

Is it possible to get more time after missing the deadline?

You can ask DWP for an extension if you have good reason, such as illness or not receiving the notice. Extensions are considered case by case and are stronger if requested before the original deadline passes.

What happens to my tax credits during managed migration?

Tax credits end when you make a new Universal Credit claim, or on your Migration Notice deadline if you do not claim. Once tax credits stop they cannot be reinstated, so a Universal Credit claim becomes the only route to ongoing support.