Changes to Tax Credits claims
2023 - November, Our news
In 2023/24, the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) are only asking Tax Credit claimants who are NOT receiving another ‘legacy’ benefit to claim Universal Credit.
Legacy benefits are historic benefits that predate the existence of Universal Credit (UC).
Please check the criteria below to see if this will affect you.
This will affect you if you’re receiving Tax Credits (Working and/or Child Tax Credits) but NOT receiving any of the following benefits:
- Income Related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Income-Based Jobseekers Allowance
- Housing Benefit.
If you receive an official Migration Notice from the DWP, then your Tax Credits award will be ending soon (the date is on the notice), and you will need to make a claim for Universal Credit.
You will know it is a Migration Notice if it has these words at the bottom:
This is a migration notice issued under regulation 44 of the Universal Credit (Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2014.
Please note: a 'Get Ready for your Universal Credit Move' leaflet with general advice about the move to UC is NOT the Migration Notice.
Important
- When you receive your Migration Notice, don’t ignore it.
- Your Tax Credits will end whether you claim Universal Credit or not.
- The deadline in your Migration Notice can be extended in some circumstances.
- Remember, in 2023, Migration Notices are only being sent to Tax Credit-only claimants.
- If you are unsure, get advice.
Universal Credit works differently to Tax Credits and there may be some things you wish to consider before you make your claim, such as when you are paid wages or how you will manage in the 5-week wait until your first UC payment.
