Call for people being asked to move from Tax Credits to Universal Credit to contact advice charity

• Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire wants to help those who are being asked to move from Tax Credits to Universal Credit
• This is to ensure they get the best new arrangement and to minimise the financial impact of the switch
• People in South Gloucestershire are being asked to move over to Universal Credit as of April 1

A charity is asking people to come forward if they unsure about the move from Tax Credits to Universal Credit.

Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire wants people to visit the charity’s advisers if they have received a migration letter.

The Department for Work and Pensions has announced everyone receiving Tax Credits will need to move to Universal Credit.

This is to “streamline and simplify the benefits system”, the department has said.

Claimants will receive a migration letter. Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire says you don’t have to do anything until you receive it.

But people should visit the charity or call the Help To Claim line for help with managing the change once they do receive the notification, the charity said.

Tax credits

Tax Credits are paid to people with children or who are in work but on low incomes. They can be worth thousands pounds per year.

People can no longer apply for the payment – instead having to apply for Universal Credit.

The Government is continuing to ask people to move over onto Universal Credit. It has said more people will be asked from April 1.

This includes people in the former Avon (South Gloucestershire, Bristol, North Somerset and Bath and North East Somerset).

The Government has said “in most cases, individuals will be better off following a move from legacy benefits to UC”.

But Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire says the picture is more complicated than that.

It is not possible to say whether people will be better off having moved from Tax Credits to Universal Credit without knowing more about their circumstances, the charity said.

Minimising the impact

Emmanuelle Claverie, Lead Supervisor at Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire, said: “People need to wait for the migration notice because that gives them protection when they move over – and then to come and see us or call Help To Claim to minimise the financial impact of moving over to Universal Credit.

“If you don’t receive a migration letter you don’t have to move over to Universal Credit. If you do receive a migration letter, come and see us as we will be able to advise you on when and how is the best way to move over.”

• Anyone in South Gloucestershire seeking free, independent, impartial and confidential advice from Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire can call 0808 278 7947 or visit: www.southgloscab.org.uk
• Anyone wanting to use the dedicated Help To Claim service for help with benefits queries should call 0800 144 8 444 or visit: https://www.southgloscab.org.uk/get-advice/universal-support/
• Anyone wishing to donate to Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire to help it continue its vital work should visit: https://bit.ly/3kG7HyB

Published 11/04/23.