People above State Pension age who get Tax Credits began to receive migration notices in September 2024, asking them to apply for Universal Credit or Pension Credit1. The notices form part of the Department for Work and Pensions' continuing process of moving people from legacy benefits to Universal Credit, which the department says will run throughout 2024 and 20251.
The September 2024 notices apply across the UK1. They are separate from the migration of working age claimants on income-related Employment and Support Allowance, ESA with Housing Benefit, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance and JSA with Housing Benefit, who began receiving Universal Credit migration notices in October 20241.
"Across the UK, people above State Pension age who get Tax Credits will begin to receive migration notices to apply for Universal Credit or Pension Credit."
Other changes listed for the same period include the extension of 15 hours of free childcare to all children from the age of nine months from September 20241. In Scotland, Attendance Allowance was replaced by a new benefit called the Pension Age Disability Payment, available in five council areas from 21 October 2024 and across Scotland from April 20251.
| Date | Change |
|---|---|
| September 2024 | People above State Pension age who get Tax Credits begin to receive migration notices for Universal Credit or Pension Credit1 |
| September 2024 | 15 hours of free childcare extended to all children from the age of nine months1 |
| October 2024 | People on income-related ESA, ESA with Housing Benefit, income-based JSA and JSA with Housing Benefit begin to receive Universal Credit migration notices1 |
| October 2024 | Pension Age Disability Payment available in five Scottish council areas from 21 October1 |
Why it matters for households
A migration notice sets a deadline by which the household must claim Universal Credit, and legacy awards such as Tax Credits end once that happens. For pension age claimants the choice of which benefit to claim matters because entitlement rules differ: Pension Credit is available to people over State Pension age, while Universal Credit is normally claimed by people under that age, and mixed age couples face different rules again1. The timetable does not set out how long claimants have to act, and the notice itself carries the deadline.
Moving to Universal Credit can also change the amount a household receives. Transitional protection exists to soften the difference for some claimants, and help with rent moves from Housing Benefit into the Universal Credit housing element1. The timetable does not give figures for how many pension age Tax Credit claimants are affected, or the value of any change to individual awards; those have not been reported.
What happens next
The DWP is expected to continue issuing migration notices through 2024 and 20251. In Scotland, the Pension Age Disability Payment becomes available across the country in April 2025, and Carer Support Payment became available nationally in November 20241.
Sources1 cited
- Benefits Changes Timetable for 2024 | Turn2us turn2us.org.uk
Turn2usFree benefits calculator and grants search from a charity
Citizens AdviceFree advice on money, consumer and legal problems in England and Wales
GOV.UKOfficial information on tax, benefits and government services
MoneyHelperFree, impartial money and pensions guidance, set up by government