Managed migration: Advice on switching to Universal Credit

Managed migration is the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) process of transitioning legacy benefits to Universal Credit. DWP issued final migration notices in September 2025 to claimants on income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Housing Benefit (HB). 

What does this mean? 

If you’ve received a migration notice, you have 3 months + 1 day from the notice date to claim Universal Credit (UC). If you don’t claim by their deadline, your legacy benefits (ESA and HB) will stop*. 

*Please note, if you’re on contributory ESA and live in temporary accommodation, you could continue claiming these benefits.  

Seek early advice to claim at the right time and get the correct UC entitlement. 

Who can you contact for advice? 

You can get in touch with us – our financial inclusion team are here to support you. 

Or you can call the Citizen Advice Bureau (CAB) Help to Claim line on 0800 144 8444 to get advice and support.