Move to Universal Credit from 'legacy benefits'

If you still receive a legacy benefit, you’ll get a letter from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in the next few months asking you to move to Universal Credit.





Legacy benefits are:

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Income-related Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Housing Benefit
• Income Support
• Working Tax Credits
• Child Tax Credits

If you want your benefit payments to continue, you’ll need to apply for Universal Credit by the deadline in the letter — probably about 3 months after the letter was sent.

If you apply by the deadline, you’ll be moved over to Universal Credit and your benefit payments will continue. However, if you don’t, you do risk losing your financial support.

Depending on your personal circumstances, you may get less money on Universal Credit. In that case, you’ll get a top-up called ‘transitional protection’ so you’re not immediately left worse off. This will gradually reduce over time so you’ll end up getting what you would on Universal Credit.

For more information on Universal Credit, read our Universal Credit guidance or phone the MS Society Helpline on 0800 800 8000.