Transitional protection if you receive a Migration Notice letter
Financial help and support when you first move to Universal Credit from your current benefits or tax credits.
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
This guidance is only for people who received a Migration Notice
Find out about Universal Credit if you receive a Migration Notice letter.
For everyone else visit the Universal Credit guidance.
What transitional protection is
Transitional protection helps with your move to Universal Credit.
If eligible, this protection means you can:
- get a transitional protection payment added to your Universal Credit entitlement if you receive more from your previous tax credits or benefits
- claim Universal Credit and have money, savings and investments over £16,000 for 12 assessment periods, if you receive tax credits
- claim Universal Credit if you’re a full-time student in higher education until you or your partner finish the course
Find out about people on tax credits and students moving to Universal Credit.
Eligibility
You do not need to apply for transitional protection.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will send you a letter called a Migration Notice, asking you to claim Universal Credit.
To be eligible for transitional protection, you must claim Universal Credit by the deadline date on your Migration Notice letter.
If you cannot claim Universal Credit by the deadline date, you should contact the Universal Credit Migration Notice helpline as soon as possible.
We can only give you more time to make a claim if you have a good reason. You must request this before the deadline date on your letter.
Find out how to apply for Universal Credit.
Changes to your circumstances before you claim
If you have a change of circumstances before you claim Universal Credit, you may not be entitled to transitional protection.
Find out about your responsibilities and reporting a change in your circumstances.
Transitional protection payments
Transitional protection payments are an additional amount to help with your move to Universal Credit. The payment will make up the difference if your Universal Credit entitlement is less than your previous tax credits or benefits.
Example
Jane is entitled to £800 on her existing tax credits or benefits.
Her Universal Credit entitlement is £600.
This means Jane’s transitional protection amount will be £200.
Her total Universal Credit entitlement is now £800.
How long your transitional protection payments last
Transitional protection payments are not permanent. They can decrease or end if your Universal Credit entitlement increases.
If you’re eligible, your transitional protection payments will continue until:
- your Universal Credit entitlement is the same or more than your previous tax credits or benefits
- you have a significant change of circumstances
Changes that can decrease your transitional protection payments
Your transitional protection payments can decrease over time following a change in your circumstances. Changes can include:
- having a child
- starting to care for a child or disabled person
- an increase in housing costs (rent)
- a worsening health condition
- changes to government benefit rates
This is because these changes are likely to increase your Universal Credit amount.
Example
Jane’s current Universal Credit payment is £800, which includes a transitional protection amount of £200.
Jane has a second child added to her claim. This increases her Universal Credit amount by £50.
This means Jane’s transitional protection amount will decrease by £50.
However, her total Universal Credit payment is still £800.
How your Universal Credit entitlement affects your transitional protection payments
If your Universal Credit entitlement increases, your transitional protection payment will decrease by the same amount. Childcare costs are the only exception.
Further increases to your Universal Credit amount can eventually end your transitional protection payments. This will only happen if your entitlement is the same or more on Universal Credit.
Changes that end transitional protection
Significant changes to your circumstances will end your transitional protection. The following are considered as significant changes:
- a partner moving into your household
- a different partner moving into your household
- a partner leaving your household
- your earnings drop below an agreed amount for 3 months in a row
- your Universal Credit claim ends
Support
Universal Credit Migration Notice helpline
Phone: 0800 169 0328
Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 169 0328
Video relay service for British Sign Language (BSL) users. Watch the video to find out how to use the Video relay service on mobile or tablet
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
0800 phone numbers are free to call from mobiles and landlines.
Help to Claim
You can also get free support from the Citizens Advice Help to Claim service.
Other financial support
If you’re in financial difficulties, you can get help and advice from the government, local councils, and other organisations, such as advicelocal.uk.
If you receive Universal Credit, you may also be able to get other financial support depending on your circumstances.
Last updated 25 March 2024 + show all updates
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Added: If you cannot claim Universal Credit by the deadline date, you should contact the Universal Credit Migration Notice helpline as soon as possible. We can only give you more time to make a claim if you have a good reason. You must request this before the deadline date on your letter.
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Added links to: how to apply for Universal Credit and other financial support you could be eligible for if you claim Universal Credit.
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First published.