Moving to Universal Credit from other benefits

This guide will help you understand how Universal Credit works what to do if you are still getting a benefit that is being replaced by Universal Credit.

To talk to someone about your own situation and get expert advice, including help claiming, try these free organisations:  

• Citizens Advice Help to Claim for help with Universal Credit questions and claims, until you receive your first Universal Credit payment. 

• Advicelocal, for help and support with benefitsOpens in a new window including confidential advice on whether you should claim Universal Credit.  

These ‘legacy’ benefits have all been replaced by Universal Credit and no more payments will be made after 5 April 2025:

• Child Tax Credit

• Working Tax Credit 

• Income Support

• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance.

These legacy benefits have also been replaced by Universal Credit for most new claims but payments will continue in some circumstances: 

• Housing Benefit 

• Income-related Employment Support Allowance.

Housing Benefit can help you pay your rent if you’re unemployed, on a low income or claiming benefits. You can only make a new claim for Housing Benefit if: 

• you have reached State Pension age, or

• you’re in supported, sheltered or temporary housing.

Income-related Employment and Support Allowance is also ending and you can’t make a new claim for it, but some people are still getting it while they wait to move onto Universal Credit. 

If you are still getting income-related-Employment and Support Allowance you will be sent a letter inviting you to apply for Universal Credit. Letters will be sent throughout the year until December 2025.  

You don’t need to do anything until you get your letter – it will tell you when you need to apply. When you apply for Universal Credit, you won’t need to provide medical evidence such as fit notes, or have a Work Capability Assessment (WCA) again if all the following apply: 

• you move from ESA to Universal Credit without a break

• you have already completed a WCA, and 

• you were in the ‘support group’ or ‘work-related activity group’ in ESA when you made your claim for Universal Credit.

You may need to have another assessment if your WCA is due for a review or your condition changes. If you were providing medical evidence on ESA before you moved, you will still need to do so with your Universal Credit claim until you get a WCA decision.

If you need any help or support, details will be provided within your letter, or you can learn more about moving to Universal CreditOpens in a new window on GOV.UK.

Universal Credit is a single payment designed to support you with the costs of everyday living, including housing and bringing up children. You can claim it whether or not you’re working.

Our Benefits calculator is a quick and easy way to check what you could get. 

Here’s how Universal Credit might be different to the benefits you used to claim:

• you can work as many hours as you like

• you’ll usually need to commit to finding work if you’re able to

• your payment might change each time as it’s based on your household income and the savings and investments you had in the previous month

• you won’t get anything if you have savings or investments worth over £16,000

• you’ll need to wait five weeks for your first payment  

• you’re usually paid once or twice a month depending on where you live in the UK (couples get a single payment) 

• you’re usually responsible for paying your own rent in England, Scotland and Wales 

• you can claim back up to 85% of your childcare costs

• your payment might be reduced by up to 25% to repay debts like overpaid benefits or tax credits.

For more information, see our guide Universal Credit explained. 

If you have any questions or concerns about how it will affect you, speak to a Citizens Advice Help to Claim or Advice NI adviser for confidential and impartial help and advice.

As many legacy benefits were paid weekly or every two weeks, you may need to make changes to how you manage your money. This includes changing the payment dates for your bills, rent or mortgage to the day after you’re paid or budgeting for a monthly payment.

For full help and information, see our guide Help managing your money if you receive benefits.

Use our quick and easy Benefits calculator to find out how much Universal Credit you could get, as it’s based on your personal circumstances and other earnings.

For more information on how Universal Credit is calculated, see our guide How much is Universal Credit?

You need to apply for Universal Credit onlineOpens in a new window on GOV.UK.  If you live with your partner, you’ll both need to apply separately. 

If you can’t apply online, call the Universal Credit HelplineOpens in a new window or Universal Credit Service CentreOpens in a new window in Northern Ireland. They can arrange for someone to call you back or visit your home. 

For more help and information, see our guides:

• How to apply for Universal Credit

• How to apply for Universal Credit in Scotland

• How to apply for Universal Credit in Northern Ireland

• Joint Universal Credit claims for couples.

If you’ll have trouble applying or for free help and advice with your application, you should: 

• speak to a Citizens Advice Help to Claim or Advice NI adviser for confidential and impartial help and advice

• visit your local JobCentre PlusOpens in a new window or Jobs and Benefits office in Northern IrelandOpens in a new window for face-to-face support making a claim. 

You can also give your permission for someone you trust to deal with your claim on your behalf, known as a representative. If the person claiming Universal Credit is unable to manage their own money, you can apply to be a legal appointee. 

For more information, call the Universal Credit HelplineOpens in a new window Universal Credit Service Centre in Northern IrelandOpens in a new window or GOV.UK - Universal Credit consentOpens in a new window

After you apply for Universal Credit, there’s usually a five-week wait until you get your first payment. 

There are things you can do while you wait, including:

• applying for advance payments if you’ll struggle

• checking if you qualify for other payments or grants

• creating or amending a budget.

For more information, see our guide Help managing your money while waiting for your first Universal Credit payment.

After you’ve had your first Universal Credit payment, make sure you:

• change any payment dates for bills or rent to the day after you’re paid

• check if you now qualify for discounts or special deals

• report if anything in your life changes

• consider opening a Help to Save account for a free bonus worth up to £1,200

• plan ahead for expensive months of the year, like birthdays and Christmas.   

For more details, see our guide Help managing your money if you receive benefits.  

If you need help applying, you can speak to a free Universal Credit adviser for support completing the application form.