Claimants in Cornwall of Housing benefit and other benefits will be asked to change to Universal Credit from April 2024
Many housing benefit claimants in Cornwall will receive a Migration Notice letter from April 2024, asking them to claim Universal Credit instead. If you get this letter, it is important not to ignore it.
Universal Credit will replace some of the benefits and tax credits that you might be getting now. Everyone will eventually be changing over to Universal Credit.
You must not ignore your Migration Notice letter.
- The letter will state a date you need to claim Universal Credit by.
- If you make a claim within the time limit you will receive transitional protection, meaning you will not receive any less money.
- If you do not make a claim within the time limit (3 months), your money will stop!
Please note you will receive a letter, not a leaflet. If you receive a leaflet about changing to Universal Credit, you do not need to change yet. If you change too early, you will lose transitional protection and you may get less money.
Cornwall Housing have a team of Inclusion Advisors who can advise and support tenants who receive this letter. You can contact them on 0300 1234 161 or at
info@cornwallhousing.org.uk.
Timetable for migration to Universal Credit in Cornwall
| You may be affected if you receive |
When? |
| Income Support & Housing benefit, Housing Benefit and Tax Credits, Housing Benefit only |
April - June 2024 |
|
Income-Related Employment Support allowance with Child tax credits and Housing Benefit.
|
July - September 2024 |
| Income-Based Job Seekers Allowance & Housing Benefit |
September 2024 |
Please note: those on Income-Related ESA (and Housing Benefits) but no Tax Credits (such as those without children) will not yet be part of this switch.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Universal Credit?
Universal Credit is a benefit for working aged people designed to simplify the welfare system. It is for people who are working, looking for work, or unable to work due to an illness, disability or caring responsibilities. Universal Credit will combine the 6 income related benefits into one single payment.
The 6 benefits Universal Credit is replacing are:
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Income-Related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Income-Based Jobseekers Allowance
- Housing Benefit
Those claiming one or more of these benefits will be invited to claim Universal Credit instead.
2. What happens after you claim?
- Your housing benefit and other benefits will stop
- As Universal Credit replaces housing benefit, any help with your housing costs is paid to you within your Universal Credit payment. You will need to pay your rent to your landlord.
- Agree a Claimant Commitment
- This will outline what you need to do in exchange for receiving Universal Credit.
- No payment of Universal credit will be made until this commitment has been accepted.
- Universal Credit will be paid to you
- Payments will be made monthly. However, your first payment will take 5 weeks after submitting a claim. Our Inclusion Advisors can help you check that it is correct.
- Monitor your Universal Credit
- Universal Credit is claimed online and managed through an online journal.
- Log in to your journal to see if you have any ‘to-dos’, report any changes or childcare payments, and check your statements.
- Watch for texts and emails, and make sure you respond promptly .
- You will be assigned a ‘work coach’ who will be your Universal Credit point of contact.
IMPORTANT: Your claim is not made until you have completed all the sections and pressed ‘Submit’.
3. What happens if you work?
Universal Credit works differently to Tax Credits: it's a monthly benefit based on your income. Your payment is based on the wages you receive during each Monthly Assessment Period. This means payments can vary.
4. What if I am unable to make a claim by the deadline?
If you miss the deadline stated in your letter, your current benefits will end on that date. However, if you are unable to make the deadline because you need more time to get advice, or to get the information needed to make a successful claim, you can ask for an extension. To ask for an extension, call the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Migration Notice Helpline: 0800 169 0328.
5. I’ve not received a letter, but a friend has. Should I make a claim?
No. You should not make a claim until you personally receive your Migration Notice letter. If you claim before you receive your letter, you will not be entitled to any transitional protection.
6. An online calculator says I will be worse off on Universal Credit, or not entitled to any. Do I still have to claim?
If you have received a Migration Notice, then you must make claim. However, your entitlement may be different to what the calculator has told you. Online calculators do not always account for the transitional protection you should receive. This means you may not get any less money.
7. Do I need to claim transitional protection separately?
No. If you make a successful claim by the deadline and you are entitled to transitional protection, you will receive this automatically.
8. I am working. Do I still have to complete a Claimant Commitment?
Yes. All Universal Credit claimants have to complete a Claimant Commitment. If you are working full-time, you should not be expected to be looking for more work.
9. If I need an advance, how will this affect my Universal Credit payments?
An advance is a loan. You can request an advance payment, but this will need to be paid back in instalments over 24 months. This means that for those 24 months you will receive less money. Advances are generally taken back at 25% of your standard allowance. When you ask for an advance, you will be informed how it will be taken back and for how long. Deductions can also be taken from your Universal Credit if you have an outstanding debt with the DWP.
10. I struggle with managing my money and being paid monthly is worrying me. Can I be paid more often?
If you struggle with monthly payments and the DWP feel it is in your best interest, you can be paid more frequently. You can request this on your journal or speak to your work coach.
11. My wages vary each month. How quickly will my payment be adjusted?
Your entitlement to Universal Credit is assessed at the end of each Monthly Assessment Period. Universal Credit will pick up any changes, such as fluctuating wages over the previous month. For example, if your income increases, you may get a smaller payment the following month. If your income decreases, you may receive a higher payment the following month.
12. I have no access to the internet. How can I make a claim?
You can ring Universal credit to make an offline claim. You will need to explain why you cannot manage and make a claim online.
13. Will my Council Tax reduction be adjusted?
Council Tax support needs to be claimed separately, by calling 0300 1234 121.
14. I have received a letter, but I’m not sure if it is a Migration Notice?
If the letter states a deadline to claim Universal Credit, then it is a Migration Notice letter. It will read: “This is a migration notice issued under regulation 44 of the Universal Credit (Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2014.”
Please see our example letter below:
If you have any further questions, call the DWP Migration Notice Helpline on 0800 169 0328. Calls are free from mobiles and landlines. Open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
