Overview
- Official data show 356,521 households had legacy payments closed after not responding to migration notices, with average losses exceeding £1,000 per month.
- About 2.3 million households have been contacted since July 2022, of whom roughly 1.9 million have migrated and around 10,000 cases remain in progress.
- Claimants typically have three months to apply for Universal Credit, and after 11 weeks the DWP begins an enhanced support journey that can include further letters and home visits.
- Those who miss the managed migration window can later apply for Universal Credit but may not receive transitional protection that prevents an immediate drop in payments.
- DWP research cites confusion over eligibility, income and savings as key barriers, and the department has waived the £16,000 savings rule for 12 months for managed migration cases while offering help via its helpline, gov.uk guidance and Citizens Advice.