Claimants of tax credits have been issued an urgent warning from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), urging them to respond to important letters about their benefits. The Government is scrapping tax credits, and payments will stop completely from April 2024.
Tax Credits Are Ending—What You Need to Know
Who Is Affected?
If you still claim tax credits, you must switch to Universal Credit before the deadline to continue receiving financial support.
Key Dates & Deadlines
April 5, 2024 – Tax credit payments will stop.
Three months – Once you receive the DWP migration notice letter, you have three months to apply for Universal Credit.
Failing to act within this timeframe means your benefits will be cut off, leaving you without financial support.
Why You Must Not Ignore DWP Letters
The DWP is sending out migration notice letters to inform tax credit claimants about the switch to Universal Credit. However, the transition is not automatic—you must apply yourself to continue receiving payments.
Important:
- If you ignore the letter, your tax credits will stop after April 5.
- Missing the deadline means you will need to apply for Universal Credit from scratch, which could cause delays and financial hardship.
Martin Lewis’ Urgent Warning
Money Saving Expert (MSE) and finance expert Martin Lewis have stressed the importance of acting quickly. According to MSE:
“Three in 10 people who received migration notice letters before failed to act in time and lost their benefits.”
To avoid this, claimants must read and respond to their DWP letter as soon as possible.
How to Switch from Tax Credits to Universal Credit
Check Your Mailbox – If you receive a migration notice letter from the DWP, do not ignore it.
Apply for Universal Credit – Visit the official DWP Universal Credit website and submit your application within three months.
Get Support If Needed – If you are unsure how to apply, contact Citizens Advice or a DWP helpline for guidance.
What Happens If You Don’t Apply?
Your tax credits will stop permanently on April 5, 2024.
You will have to make a new claim for Universal Credit, which may delay your payments.
You could lose out on financial support if you miss the deadline.
With April 5 fast approaching, tax credit claimants must act immediately to switch to Universal Credit. Check your mailbox, look for your DWP migration notice letter, and apply within three months to continue receiving payments. Ignoring this warning could lead to severe financial hardship, so take action today!
