Universal Credit is a working-age benefit that brings together the following six legacy benefits into one benefit:
- Income based Job Seekers Allowance
- Income based Employment Support Allowance
- Housing Benefit
- Income Support
- Child Tax Credits
- Working Tax Credits
Universal Credit provides support to residents with their daily living and housing costs, it can also help pay for childcare costs. Universal Credit can be claimed by residents in work on a low income, residents who are out of work and residents unable to work. Most people have to make their Universal Credit claim online and claimants are paid a single payment monthly in arrears. For more information on Universal Credit visit: https://www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk/
What is Managed Migration?
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) have begun the process of moving individuals who claim a legacy benefit onto Universal Credit. This process is known as Managed Migration.
Managed Migration is where the DWP advise you to claim Universal Credit even though your circumstances have not changed. It is important that if you receive a Migration Notice letter from the DWP that you contact the Council for advice. If you fail to claim Universal Credit within three months, then your benefits will end, and you will be left with no income.
Who is affected?
The first group of households affected by Managed Migration in Sandwell are households where working tax or child tax credits are in payment and no other income-related benefit is in payment.
The process of Managed Migration in Sandwell began on 9 February 2024. The timeline below outlines when current legacy benefit customers will be invited to migrate to Universal Credit:
More information can be found on SMBC’s website – https://www.sandwell.gov.uk/benefits-support/universal-credit-2/3
What support is available?
For Council tenants that require support with a Universal Credit claim, contact Sandwell Council’s Rents Team on 0121 737 5148, Monday to Thursday 9am – 5.30pm and 9am to 5pm on a Friday for advice and support.
For those who are not a Council tenant and require support with a Universal Credit claim then please contact the Council’s Welfare Rights Team on 0121 569 3158, Monday to Friday 9am to 4.30pm.