Thousands of people will be receiving important letters over the coming months. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced a considerable financial boost of £15 million to the Help to Claim service.
This will assist over 800,000 individuals in their switch from Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) to Universal Credit by March 2026, two years ahead of the original timeline. The increased funding aims to strengthen the free and impartial advice offered by Citizens Advice, a lifeline for more than a million claimants since 2019.
According to the DWP, an ambitious target has been set to issue more than 60,000 migration notices monthly to ESA beneficiaries starting February 2025 until year’s end. The accelerated transition is expected to assimilate an increased number of people into an updated benefits system that facilitates job seeking.
This significant injection of funds comes just ahead of the Get Britain Working White Paper, anticipated to make headlines later this Autumn, reports the Daily Record. Sir Stephen Timms MP, Minister for Social Security and Disability, said of the increased allocation: “This funding boost will support many people as they make the move from old benefits to Universal Credit – ensuring customers feel confident and informed throughout the application process.”
He further urged: “I want to encourage anyone receiving a migration notice over the coming months to act without delay to secure quick access to benefit entitlement.” The government has unveiled what it calls “the biggest reforms to employment support for a generation,” promising to transform jobcentres, tackle inactivity with local initiatives, and introduce a Youth Guarantee.
Citizens Advice’s Help to Claim service is stepping up to assist those transitioning to Universal Credit, offering expert advice on everything from application procedures to payment details. Dame Clare Moriarty, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, praised the initiative saying: “Over the last five years our specially trained advisers have supported thousands of people across Britain to navigate the move from old benefits to Universal Credit.
“We make our service as accessible as possible, offering phone, chat and British Sign Language options, so we’re there for people as they move over. This funding boost is credit to the vital support our advisers provide and means we’ll be able to help even more people make their first application.”
In addition, the £240m Get Britain Working White Paper is set to fund ‘trailblazers’ in local areas, aiming to engage those typically disconnected from the system and integrate work and skills support with health services. This will equip individuals with the comprehensive health and employment support they require to rejoin the workforce and sustain their employment.
The White Paper will further elaborate on:
- A new jobs and careers service to help get more people into work, and get on in their work, by linking jobseekers with employers, with an increased focus on skills and careers
- Joined-up work, health and skills plans to tackle economic inactivity and boost employment, led by Mayors and local areas
- A new Youth Guarantee so that every young person is given the opportunity to earn or learn.
A new jobs and careers service designed to facilitate more people into work, and progress in their work, by connecting jobseekers with employers, with an enhanced emphasis on skills and careers.
Integrated work, health and skills plans to combat economic inactivity and stimulate employment, spearheaded by Mayors and local areas. A new Youth Guarantee ensuring every young person is provided the chance to earn or learn.
Complete details about the transition process from legacy benefits to Universal Credit can be located on GOV. UK here.
