When Should I Start My Universal Credit Claim

When Should I Start My Universal Credit Claim?

There are different situations that might lead you to apply for Universal Credit (UC). The right time to start your claim depends on how you are moving onto UC. Here’s a breakdown of the different ways this can happen:

Voluntary Migration

This is when you choose to apply for UC on your own, without being asked by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Some people think they’ll be better off on UC, but many end up with less income. Once you voluntarily make a claim for UC, you can’t go back to your previous benefits, and you will lose your right to transitional protection if you were eligible for it.

It’s a good idea to use the Turn2us Benefits Calculator to find out how much you might be entitled to.

Tip: We strongly recommend speaking to a welfare benefits advisor before making a voluntary claim for UC. You can use the Turn2us Find an Adviser Tool to find local support.

Also, keep in mind that some benefits, like Working Tax Credit (WTC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC), will stop immediately when you apply for UC. Other benefits, such as Housing Benefit (HB), income-related Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), income-based Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), and Income Support (IS), will continue for two weeks after you apply.

Natural Migration

Natural migration happens when you make a new claim for UC or you have a change of circumstances while on legacy benefits which causes you to claim Universal Credit. For example, when Tax Credits end in April 2025 you’ll need to switch to UC by then. Another example is if you receive Housing Benefit and move to a house in a different Local Authority area. In that case, to keep getting housing support you’ll have to make a new claim for UC.

Just like with voluntary claims, you won’t get transitional protection if you naturally move onto UC unless you were getting Severe Disability Premium at the time of your claim. It’s a good idea to use the Turn2us Benefits Calculator to check what extra support you might be entitled to.

Managed Migration

The final way to move to UC is through "Managed Migration." This happens when the DWP contacts you to let you know your current benefit will end on a specific date, and you need to apply for UC. This won’t happen automatically, so you will need to make a new application for UC. If you’re invited to claim UC this way, make sure you apply within the three-month deadline to qualify for transitional protection. For more information on Managed Migration, read our Universal Credit Managed Migration Notice guide.

It’s really important to speak to a benefits adviser before making the move to UC to make sure your income is maximised. This means that you’ve gotten all the benefits and additional support you are entitled to. Once you’ve moved to UC, it’s too late to get any additional support you should have been entitled to while on your previous benefits. If your benefits situation is complex, an advisor can help you decide if delaying your move from a legacy benefit is the best option for you. You can use the Turn2us Find an Adviser Tool to find local support.

Universal Credit Claims for Those in Work

If you’ve just finished a job and are thinking about claiming UC, you may still be expecting your final paycheck. Depending on how much this is and how long it’ll take to receive it, it might be worth waiting to apply for UC until after you’ve been paid. An adviser can give you more specific guidance.

For those paid weekly, fortnightly, or every four weeks, there may be some months where more than one paycheck falls within your UC assessment period, which could affect how much UC you receive. Unfortunately, there’s no way to avoid this, but it’s something to keep in mind.

Advice and support

The best time to claim Universal Credit depends on your personal situation. In most cases, only people going through managed migration can receive transitional protection. So before making the move, we recommend you maximise your benefits by using our Benefits Calculator or by speaking to an adviser. This will ensure you’re getting all the financial support you’re entitled to.