ESA and JSA recipients begin Universal Credit migration notices

The Department for Work and Pensions is beginning to move two more groups of legacy benefit claimants onto Universal Credit. From October 2024, people on income-related Employment and Support Allowance, ESA with Housing Benefit, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, and JSA with Housing Benefit will begin to receive migration notices¹.

A migration notice is the letter that tells a claimant their legacy benefits are ending and that they must claim Universal Credit instead. Turn2us, which publishes a benefit changes timetable, lists this step under October 2024 as part of the DWP's continuing process of moving people from legacy benefits to Universal Credit, a process it says will run "throughout 2024 and 2025"¹.

The same month brings other changes. In Scotland, Attendance Allowance is replaced by a new benefit called the Pension Age Disability Payment, available in five council areas from 21 October and across Scotland in April 2025¹. The Warm Home Discount Scheme also opens for applications¹.

Earlier in 2024, the timetable records two increases in the Administrative Earnings Threshold, which sets the level of earnings at which Universal Credit claimants are expected to look for more or better-paid work. It rose to £743 a month for single people and £1,189 a month for couples in April 2024, then to £892 a month for single people and £1,437 a month for couples in May 2024¹.

Why it matters for households

A migration notice starts a clock. Claimants in these groups have a limited period to claim Universal Credit, and their existing ESA, JSA and Housing Benefit awards end whether or not they have claimed by then. The notice itself sets out the deadline, so the date that matters is the one on the letter rather than the month it arrives.

Housing Benefit is included in this wave, which means rent support moves into the Universal Credit housing element for affected households. The help with rent guide sets out how that element works, and Housing Benefit vs Universal Credit housing costs covers the differences between the two.

Some claimants may qualify for transitional protection, a top-up intended to keep entitlement at roughly the level it was before the move. Whether it applies depends on individual circumstances, and the calculation is made when the Universal Credit claim is assessed.

People who need money before their first Universal Credit payment can ask for an advance, which is repaid from later awards; the advance repayment guide explains the deductions. For anyone unsure what a notice requires, what to do if you get a migration notice covers the steps and deadlines.

What happens next

The timetable lists further dates after October 2024. In November 2024, Carer Support Payment becomes available nationally in Scotland, with Carer's Allowance claimants transferred automatically, and the Child Winter Heating Payment is expected to be paid to eligible families there. Eligible pensioners across the UK begin receiving their Winter Fuel Payment, and the Cold Weather Payment scheme opens in England, Wales and Northern Ireland¹.

In December 2024, people in Scotland receiving Carer Support Payment or Carer's Allowance are paid the second Carer's Allowance Supplement of 2024, and the Winter Heating Payment is paid to eligible Scottish households¹.

The timetable does not state how many people are affected by the ESA and JSA migration notices, or the deadline each notice gives. Those figures have not been reported.