Research and analysis

Executive Summary

Updated 23 December 2024

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/move-to-universal-credit-insight-on-income-support-and-housing-benefit-and-initial-esa-cohort-activity/executive-summary

Since April 2024, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) have notified households receiving wider legacy benefit combinations of the need to move to Universal Credit (UC). This paper provides insight to the ongoing learning for the UC Programme and is the fourth in a series of insight documents. Our key learnings during this time are: 

  • people receiving Income Support or Employment and Support Allowance are more likely to seek help to make a claim to Universal Credit

  • friends and family, or the Move to UC dedicated helpline are the main sources of support to claim Universal Credit 

  • individuals claiming Housing Benefit or a DWP legacy benefit are more likely to claim Universal Credit, compared to those receiving tax credits only

  • most people contacted through the enhanced support journey are planning to make a claim but have yet to do so 

  • Employment Support Allowance only households (including those also claiming Housing Benefit), who were part of the small discovery exercise in the summer, have either made to claim to Universal Credit, or are being supported through the enhanced support journey – no claims have been closed without a claim having been made.

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