Universal Credit Transitional Protection: what applies to you in 2022

What is Universal Credit Transitional Protection? Will I earn less with Universal Credit? This type of transitional protection allows you to earn the same amount with Universal Credit as you did with benefits and tax credits that it is replacing. In fact, there are certain steps that you need to take to receive the same amount in Universal Credit, or to not stop to receive benefits altogether. Your Benefits will tell you everything you need to know about Universal Credit Transitional Protection.

What is universal credit transitional protection?

Universal Credit is a benefit that is intended to replace a number of benefits. Then, people on other benefits, also known as legacy benefits, would be moved to Universal Credit. This is called managed migration, and you may get transitional protection for the transitional element.

You may have made a claim to uc, or claimed universal credit. Then, you will stop receiving your existing benefit, but only once you start to gain access to your universal credit (uc) award.

Since how much you receive should not decrease through the transition, you benefit from a certain transition protection. In fact, if your Universal Credit award following your managed migration may be less than what you previously received. In this case, you would receive an additional amount: transitional protection.

What benefits is Universal Credit replacing?

There are a number of benefits being replaced by Universal Credit. In fact, this includes tax credit like Child Tax Credit, as well as Working Tax Credit. Additionally, it includes income-related benefits like the basic schemes of Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA).

When did the Universal Credit Transitional Protection and process start?

The managed protection process started to allow people on legacy benefits to receive Universal Credit instead. The Transitional Protection and process first entered its pilot phase from July 2019 to July 2020.

In March 2020, the trial phase of the Universal Credit Transitional Protection and process was stopped. This was because of the prominence of the Covid-19 pandemic that occurred in the UK in that period.

In Northern Ireland, a similar trial started on July 2019. However, there is a limited number of people that can be transferred through this transitional process. In fact, this amount is 10,000 people. This means that in Northern Ireland, 10,000 people would benefit from the migration process.

Parliament will need to take a vote in the future on this migration process. This will determine if more people will be able to benefit from the Universal Credit Transitional Protection and process.

Originally, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) wanted to apply the Universal Credit Transitional Protection and process to all tax credit and legacy benefit claimants by September 2024. However, the Covid-19 pandemic changed the distribution of the trial. It may be delayed.

Managed migration to universal credit transitional protection

You may be managed migrated to uc, or moved to uc. This means that you would be transferred from a legacy tax credit or benefit. In this process, the Universal Credit Transitional Credit would allow you to not lose any money that you previously got with your benefits.

You do not need to do anything in order for this to apply to you. There is no way that you can apply, apart from applying for Universal Credit directly. However, note that starting to receive Universal Credit will end you receiving other legacy benefits.

What if I get a migration notice letter?

You may receive a migration notice from the government. Then, you will have 3 months to apply for Universal Credit through the managed migration process. These 3 months start the day on which you receive the letter. 

If you receive a migration notice, you may be one of the first people to be able to do so. As such, you could receive reminder letter. On top of this, it may be possible to get a one month extension.

You can learn more about the migration process, or ask for an extension. To do so, you can contact the Universal Migration Notice helpline. More specifically, you may call them on 0800 169 0328. They are open from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Otherwise, you can also do so at your local Jobcentre.

Will I get universal credit transitional protection if I get a migration notice?

You may receive a migration notice. If that is the case, you will need to do what the letter indicates. In fact, the letter will tell you how to start receiving Universal Credit. Then, Transitional Protection would allow you to not receive less than you previously would. 

You may not have received a migration notice. Then, you do not have to move to Universal Credit. However, the government wants to transition every person on legacy benefits and tax credit by late 2024. However, if you want to transition either way, you can do so anyways.

There are two different types of migration to Universal Credit: natural and voluntary migration. In fact, your situation may change. For example, you may start or leave your job, or have new people move in or leave your household. In this case, you will need to apply for Universal Credit. This is natural migration.

Voluntary migration can be done at any time. For example, you may not have a change of circumstances, but still want to get Universal Credit. Then, you can apply. However, note that you will no longer get your old benefit. On top of this, there will be no way to receive your legacy benefit again.

What is Universal Credit?

Transitioning to Universal Credit may sound good, but you may still not be sure of what it is. In fact, the transitional protection would allow you to get the same amount as you got with previous benefits, but still not know what the benefit entails. 

Universal Credit is a benefit that allows you to cover some day-to-day costs. You receive payments every month, except for those residing in Scotland, who receive payments twice a month.

What happens if I apply for Universal Credit?

You may apply for Universal Credit. However, you or your partner may also receive a tax credit. However, if either you or they apply for Universal Credit, both of you will stop receiving Universal Credit. 

Then, you will be able to get a certain amount through Universal Credit. More specifically, you could get the following:

How to apply for Universal Credit?

There are different ways that you can apply for Universal Credit. If you get a migration notice, you will need to follow the instructions indicated on it. As such, no additional input is required apart from this.