Benefits & Support2 min check

Tax Credits → Universal Credit Migration Checker

If you've received a 'Migration Notice' from DWP, this helper explains what to do, your 3-month deadline, and how Transitional Protection works.

Short answer

Tax Credits ended on 5 April 2025. If you got a Migration Notice you must claim Universal Credit by your stated deadline (usually 3 months from the notice). If UC would pay less than your old benefits, Transitional Protection tops you up — but only if you claim on time.

Step 1 of 10%

Calculation method, coverage and version

Inputs used: Have you received a Migration Notice from DWP?, Weeks until your deadline (look on the notice), Current monthly Tax Credits / legacy benefits, Estimated UC monthly award (use our UC calculator).
Calculation approach: The calculator applies the rules and assumptions described in “How it works” to the values you enter. Rounding can cause small differences from an official or provider calculation.
Coverage: Benefits & Support. UK nations, tax treatment, local rules and provider criteria can differ; check the official sources shown below before acting.
Content version: No page-specific review date is currently published. Treat the result as indicative and verify current rules independently.

Not included unless explicitly requested: personal circumstances not entered, provider discretion, future rule changes, professional fees and case-specific exceptions. Read the full calculator methodology.

Primary sources and official verification

Use these official sources to verify current rules before acting. Coverage and dates can differ across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

See the sitewide source policy.

How it works

'Managed migration' is the DWP's process of moving everyone off Tax Credits, Income Support, JSA(IB), ESA(IR) and Housing Benefit onto Universal Credit. You receive a Migration Notice telling you to claim UC by a specific deadline (3 months, extendable for good reason).

Transitional Protection: if your UC entitlement would be less than your legacy benefits, you get a Transitional Element to make up the gap — but only if you claim during managed migration. Voluntary claims don't qualify.

Worked example

The Patels were getting £950/month in Working Tax Credits + Child Tax Credits. Their UC calculation comes to £820/month.

UC: £820
+ Transitional Element: £130
Total: £950 — no income drop on migration

If they'd claimed UC voluntarily before their notice, they'd have lost £130/month immediately.

Who should use this

•People still on Tax Credits, Income Support, ESA(IR), JSA(IB) or HB
•Recipients of Migration Notices unsure what to do
•Anyone considering claiming UC voluntarily

Common mistakes

×Ignoring the Migration Notice — you lose all benefits if you miss the deadline
×Claiming UC voluntarily — losing Transitional Protection forever
×Not getting a benefits check first
×Forgetting that capital over £16k bars UC after the 12-month grace period

Frequently asked questions

When does my Tax Credits stop?▾

On the day before your UC claim starts, or on the deadline date if you don't claim.

Will I be worse off on UC?▾

If you claim during managed migration with a Migration Notice, Transitional Protection prevents an immediate drop. Long-term, UC may be less generous as TP erodes.

What if I miss the deadline?▾

Your Tax Credits stop and you can still claim UC, but you lose Transitional Protection.

Can I appeal a Migration Notice?▾

No — but you can request an extension if you have a good reason (illness, vulnerability).

Do I have to claim UC if I'm on Tax Credits?▾

Eventually yes — Tax Credits ended on 5 April 2025.

What about Pension Credit?▾

Mixed-age couples and those of working age go to UC. Pension-age couples on legacy benefits go to Pension Credit, not UC.

Related calculators

Universal Credit Calculator →Council Tax Reduction Checker →Housing Benefit / LHA Checker →Carer's Allowance Checker →