Many Britons will have got into a routine of receiving the benefit payments to which they are entitled. However, they should be aware as a host of older benefits are set to be scrapped and replaced.
These are known as “legacy benefits” to represent the fact they are part of an older scheme.
The DWP has confirmed all of these benefits will be coming to an end, and the list is:
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Income Support
- Housing Benefit
By the end of 2024, all benefit claimants can expect to be moved over to Universal Credit.
The moves from legacy schemes resumed from May 2022, after a pause to the process during the pandemic.
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Legacy benefits are being replaced due to “complex and inefficient systems based on ageing, inflexible IT”, according to the Department.
Universal Credit has been conversely described as using a “modern, digital system”.
Notifications on moving from legacy benefits to Universal Credit are expected to be sent out gradually to people across the country.
However, those currently on legacy benefits may not have to wait to be moved.
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The Government explains: “The transitional protection top-up payments only apply to claimants moved by DWP, and people cannot reclaim their old benefits after switching to Universal Credit.”
Everyone who moves over from legacy benefits will have their entitlement to Universal Credit assessed against their current claims.
Top ups will be available to people whose entitlement would have been reduced because of the change.
People moving to Universal Credit are to receive a two-week run-on of their Income Support, income-Based Jobseeker’s Allowance, or income-Related Employment and Support Allowance.
Those on Housing Benefit should receive a transitional two-week payment to Universal Credit Housing Payment.