16 October 2023 , 09:38
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Around 71,000 benefit claimants will be migrated over to Universal Credit from today.
Benefit claimants in Northern Ireland will be moved over to Universal Credit as part of the so-called "managed migration" process. This scheme is working to move people claiming older legacy-style benefits onto the newer Universal Credit.
Universal Credit is replacing the following six benefits in the UK:
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income Support
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Housing Benefit (renting)
According to the Department for Communities (DfC), the rollout will start with those households in receipt of Tax Credits only from Monday, October 16. Migration Notice letters will be issued from the Department explaining exactly what people need to do.
Those who receive the letter will need to make their claim for Universal Credit within three months from the date of their letter. If they don't their tax credits will end. Once the application is made, claimants should receive their first payment after five weeks and will then receive payments twice a month from then onwards.
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According to the Department's website, anyone transitioning over to Universal Credit will have their benefit entitlement protected through "Transitional Protection". This means that people with no change in their circumstances will not have a reduced entitlement at the point when they move over.
However, you should be aware that anyone moving to Universal Credit ahead of receiving their migration notice letter will not be eligible to receive the transitional protection. The majority of people should be moved over by 2024/2025 - expect for those who get ESA and do not get Tax Credits, where the deadline has been pushed back to 2028.
Universal Credit has been in place in Northern Ireland for new claimants since September 2017. Deputy secretary of Work and Health at the Department for Communities, Paddy Rooney said: "We are approaching the final implementation stage of UC with the utmost care to ensure that the proper supports are in place for everyone.
“The Department has been working closely with our stakeholders and the advice sector. We have recently completed a discovery exercise in both an urban and rural area to understand the impacts on those receiving a migration letter and the help, support and advice they need to make their Universal Credit claim. We have adapted our approach for those moving from Tax Credits onto Universal Credit as a result of what we have learnt."
If you need advice when you receive your migration letter, then you can contact the Move to Universal Credit Delivery Team on 0800 012 1331. Information will also be available online at nidirect and through local Jobs & Benefits offices.