Tax credits end on 5 April

People on tax credits are being reminded that they are ending on 5 April.

Claimants are being moved onto universal credit and should have recently received a letter informing them of the changes.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has urged people to respond to their migration notices by the deadline date mentioned in the letter so they can keep getting financial support.

“The department recognises that some tax credit customers may wait until their deadline to claim universal credit,” the DWP said.

“For those customers who have a deadline date close to the tax credit closure date, we want to ensure that we provide as much support as possible.”

To make the process smoother, the DWP is opening its universal credit migration notice helpline on Saturday 5 April - you can ring 0800 169 0328 to get answers to any questions you may have.

Find out more here.

Legacy benefits being phased out

This is part of a wider plan to phase out old benefits and bring government financial support into one place under the universal credit system.

They include:

• housing benefit
• income support
• jobseeker's allowance
• income-related employment and support allowance

Will I be better off with universal credit?

Many people will find themselves better off after switching to universal credit.

But if you happen to lose money when you make the change, you may receive a payment called transitional protection.

This goes down gradually as your universal credit amount goes up.

You’ll typically get transitional protection automatically, so you don’t have to apply for it.

How to claim universal credit

You can submit your universal credit claim in several ways:

• online
• by phone at 0800 169 0328
• in person at your local jobcentre

After you submit your claim, there will be a wait of about five weeks for your first payment. 

If you don’t make a claim by the deadline date on your letter, your tax credits will stop on the day before.

Support is available

If you need any support during the migration process, don't hesitate to contact DWP.

And don’t forget to see if you’re eligible for any other benefits.

Get in touch to find out what support you could be able to get, or you can try our benefits calculator.