Universal credit managed migration thread

[ChristmasCatBells]

Anyone else waiting for a migration notice this year?
Looks like they are planning to move people on tax credits only onto universal credit this year but haven't released any detailed timetables about areas.
Thought it might be useful to share experiences and information on here for those affected.

No, I think the deadline for TC claimants is 31/12/24.

I read everyone that was on tax credits only would get a letter between Apr 23 and Apr 24.
Newcastle Council have some areas detailed monthly although doesn't list where I live. Only seems to go to January though.

Here is a link to the NHS guidance on spreading lump sums. Assume it may apply going forward.
https://www.nhsemployers.org/articles/202223-additional-payments-guidance
@ChristmasCatBells do you have a union you could ask, rather than payroll, in the first instance?

I wonder if everyone on child/working tc have had the warning migration leaflet which I received in September.
I've googled areas migrating but my county ( northants) hasn't been listed yet but who knows.

I had the leaflet a while ago but not the migration notice yet, even though according to the list,for my county I should have had it in September so don't know what's happening, maybe it's behind schedule? I'm getting a bit worried now 😕

What happens to those who won’t qualify after the one year transition due to savings? No help at all ? Not had the letter yet but had the leaflet over a month ago so I know it’ll be coming soon. We receive £500 a month tc which helps so much, but won’t be eligible after the first year as will be slightly over the savings amount , does anyone know if the 16k will be adjusted as I’ve been told it’s been 16k for years . Future is looking bleak as partner who currently works full time has had recent health issues so unsure if he will be in the same job or working at all after a year . Just seems unfair those with savings will get nothing after a year

As much as it seems unfair plenty of us on UC have have had to live with that rule for years. Maybe spend some of your savings?

Do you rent? Could you maybe pay say 6 months rent at a time to keep you under the savings amount, or is that still classed as savings 🤔

Should say I am not unsympathetic but you do get to keep your savings and get UC whilst other claimants can't. I am presuming you have quite a bit over the £16k limit?

The savings limit should have been increased in line with inflation, see also child benefit earnings threshold.
I had a cheery postal reminder to apply for UC the other day. As if I'm going to send myself off a financial cliff before I have to. I'm it doing a week before the deadline in January.

You do get transitional protection for a year. It is worth applying for.

I transferred over a month ago . I get £200 a month legacy payments .. I assume that shows how much worse off I would be on Uc

Sorry I wasn’t aware uc claimants have had to deal with this a long time luckily I’ve been on the old system tc but will be migrated over next year. Not too much over we have about 20k so aware we won’t qualify after the year protection , it does seem crazy they have never upped the cap

If the child benefit threshold was increased it should now be at least £60k.

We haven’t heard anything yet. We’re on tax credits - dh works full time but low ish salary and Ds and I get high rate disability benefits. Dreading it as we use the tax credits each week for food money. Going to be quite difficult switching to a monthly amount. What happens after the year of transitional payments? Does it suddenly drop to the regular amount you’d get on UC? We’re going to be slightly worse off if it does.

Can anyone please help us with this ? Thanks

Our tax credits payment for February is 9th Feb but since the date on migration letter says last day to apply for UC i take it that we should apply soon after the 12th jan (tax credit payment date before feb) otherwise we will not be getting any payment on the 9th Feb for tax credit anyway?

sorry but you have over 16k saved but still want payments this is why CTC is being scrapped

either spend or dip in when needed when your claim is not valid

@Dlplover

Just seems unfair those with savings will get nothing after a year

Another way to look at it is that those with savings have been incredibly fortunate to be able to keep them in the bank for years whilst getting £500 a month in tax credit...

Some people have money saved, some have a house full of clothes or electronics, or a better car, or botox and lip fillers. Those who have saved money may have done so whilst on the same low wage that qualified them for tax credits, just a combination of frugality and luck.

@EmeraldFox

Sorry I don't really understand your point.

Anyone who has claimed TC whilst having savings OR being able to spend it freely has been very fortunate. I am one of them. I first claimed in 2003, so 20 years I have been entitled - I consider myself very fortunate. A move to UC will mean a drop of a few hundred pounds per month so it's clear the UC system is not there to back up savers or spenders. I won't be claiming UC but I won't feel bad for claiming what I was entitled to, I consider that very lucky but I'm glad the change is being made, even if I do end up with nothing.

@dylanschicken A parent may have been on the same low income for ten years and been entitled to tax credits. They may be anxious about not having savings so by a combination of frugality and good luck managed to squirrel money away. On UC they are then penalised for that.

I think when we are talking over £16k it's entirely reasonable tbh.

so are you saying everybody on means tested benefit should be allowed min 16k +??? without effecting means tested
what do you think should be the limit then before your not entitled

actually i would be interested the answer from anybody that thinks 16k + should be entitled to claim and what they think the cut of should be

very interested to find out

I dont think lifetime isas should be included as capital as you may have paid that in years earlier and its meant to be a pension type account. And you lose 25% of anything you take you. Looks like gov looked at excluding LISA but didnt do it.