DWP verifies the entire list of individuals who will not be switched to Universal Credit

In the UK, thousands of households are switching to Universal Credit in the middle of a significant reform of legacy benefits. The government wants to transfer all claims across by 2025, thus this procedure has been expedited.

Letters explaining the process of switching and the deadline for action were sent out to individuals in March. If you do not apply for Universal Credit by the deadline, you risk losing out on transitional protections including adjustments to eligibility requirements and payment top-ups, as well as a sudden cessation of benefit payments.

It has also been stated by the DWP that not everyone will use Universal Credit. Some will choose to switch to Pension Credit or remain with their present legacy benefits. View the full list of applicants who will not be transferred to Universal Credit.

Those who only receive housing benefits and are over the state pension age

If you only receive Housing Benefit and you, or you and your partner, meet the following requirements, you won’t be transferred to Universal Credit:

• You are of state pension age (66 years old or over);
• You live in temporary housing provided by a council because you were homeless;
• You live in supported housing, which includes refuges, hostels, extra care housing, and some sheltered housing

Rather, you will keep receiving Housing Benefit.

Those receiving the more recent “new style” advantages

You won’t be required to move to Universal Credit if you are presently just getting New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA (C)) or New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA (C). Rather, you will keep getting your present perks.

People who get tax credits and are of state pension age

Depending on your specific situation, those receiving tax credits at state pension age may be asked to switch to either Pension Credit or Universal Credit. This also holds true if one member in a mixed-age partnership is older than the state pension age.

You will receive a letter from the DWP outlining which benefit you must apply for and by when. A Tax Credit Closure Notice will be sent to you if you are asked to claim Pension Credit or if you are already receiving it.

If you fulfil the eligibility requirements, you can choose to claim Pension Credit instead of Universal Credit if you are instructed to do so. If you do this, though, you will not be eligible for any transitional safeguards and you would not be able to convert back to Universal Credit.

You can get a letter from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) informing you of overpayment tax credits after switching to Universal Credit.

Couples of mixed ages receiving housing benefits and tax credits

The DWP has issued a warning to mixed-age couples receiving housing benefits and tax credits, advising them to apply by the time indicated in their letter or risk losing both payments immediately.

If your circumstances don’t change, you should still be able to apply for Housing Benefit even if you don’t claim Universal Credit when prompted.
But, you will forfeit your eligibility if you don’t reapply within three months of the conclusion of your Housing Benefit claim.

The DWP suggests consulting your local authority for advice on backdating your claim.