Universal Credit migration leads to 340,000 benefit claims closing

DWP data shows that between July 2022 and June 2025 a total of 2,108,000 people in 1,593,856 households have been sent migration notices – they must move to UC or they’ll get nothing

The Department for Work and Pensions has shut down 340,000 benefit claims and refuses to pay them a single penny. New figures from the DWP reveal that between July 2022 and June 2025 a staggering 2,108,000 people across 1,593,856 households received migration notices.

1,605,629 of these claimants, residing in 1,218,480 households, who received migration notices subsequently applied for Universal Credit. Among those who applied for Universal Credit, 617,306 households secured transitional protection.

The figures reveal that 162,108 people who received migration notices are still navigating the Move to UC process whilst 340,260 claimants who received migration notices failed to apply for UC and have had their legacy benefit claims terminated.

The statistics show that among households issued with migration notices up to the end of February 2025 (allowing for a three month application period and an additional month during which transitional protection would be assessed if an application was submitted within this timeframe), 82% had applied for Universal Credit whilst 18% had not applied and their legacy benefit was terminated, reports Birmingham Live.

This comes as the managed migration programme progresses, with legacy benefits being abolished. Ayla Ozmen, director of policy and campaigns at charity Z2K, informed The Sun that applying for Universal Credit is frequently a complicated procedure, and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) “unnecessarily complicates it further.”

Ayla voiced her concerns, saying: “It’s particularly concerning to see that the DWP is refusing so many universal credit claims on procedural grounds, such as not providing the correct documents. We know that people struggle to meet all of the requirements of the claims process, often because of a disability or because they have difficulty using computers. This can lead to people missing out on vital income. The DWP should take steps to streamline and simplify the claims process.”

A representative for the DWP said: “We support millions of people every year through Universal Credit, and our priority is to make sure people get the support they are entitled to. That includes working with customers to ensure they feel confident and informed throughout the application process, and a free Help to Claim advice service is available to assist people with making their claim.”