DWP issues guidance for claimants migrating to universal credit

DWP issues guidance for claimants migrating to universal credit on how the transitional element is calculated
Department advises that element is calculated by comparing universal credit award based on circumstances on day before claim with amount received from legacy benefits
The DWP has issued new guidance for claimants migrating to universal credit on how the transitional element is calculated.
In How the transitional element is calculated when you move to universal credit, published today, the DWP outlines what the transitional element is, saying –
‘The transitional element is an additional payment that’s part of transitional protection. Transitional protection is available to you if you receive a Migration Notice letter and move to universal credit by your deadline date.’
Turning to how the element is calculated, the DWP says that –
‘When a claim is made and verified, the transitional element is calculated using a universal credit amount that’s based on your known circumstances from the day before your claim. This amount is referred to as the ‘indicative universal credit award’.
At this point, the transitional element is the difference between the indicative universal credit award and your previous legacy benefit amount. It aims to protect your benefit entitlement at the point of moving to universal credit.’
The guidance goes on to set out the information the Department uses to calculate the transitional element – including that it checks information on the claim form against existing data from DWP benefits systems, local authority housing benefit departments and HMRC tax credits departments – before providing specific advice in the following areas –
carers;
couples;
children in higher education;
the transitional severe disability premium;
moving from employment and support allowance;
moving from tax credits;
housing costs; and
support with migrating to universal credit:
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