The DWP has issued a warning about an important change affecting millions of people who claim six benefits.

People on so-called legacy benefits such as housing benefit and JobSeeker’s Allowance are being moved on to Universal Credit, meaning you will need to apply for the new benefit to continue getting your payments.

The DWP is sending out letters to the next group of people moving across to the new benefit, with notifications going out by the end of December.

Universal Credit is replacing these six benefits: Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), Income Support, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), and Housing Benefit.

The process of being moved across is known as ‘managed migration’. Once you have received you migration notice in the post, you have three months to apply for Universal Credit.

The DWP says some 55 percent of legacy benefit claimants will see their payments increased under Universal Credit.

If your payments would drop by moving to Universal Credit, you can get a top-up payment known as a transitional arrangement.

You can apply for the benefit through the gov.uk website and if you want help with filling in your claim, you can call the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644, which is available Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm.

The standard allowance for Universal Credit is currently:

• Single claimants under 25: £311.68 per month
• Single claimants aged 25 or over: £393.45 per month
• If you live with a partner, both under 25: £498.23 per month (total for both)
• If you live with a partner, either over 25: £617.60 per month (total for both).

You can get extra support through the benefit towards childcare costs, if you have a health condition or disability, and if you care for someone who receives a health- or disability-related benefit.