Tax credits will be closed by April 5, 2025, with customers needing to move to Universal Credit.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is urging tax credit customers to respond to their Universal Credit migration notices.

This is to ensure they continue to receive benefits.

The transition is part of a broader effort by the department to phase out legacy benefits and transition more than a million claimants onto Universal Credit.

The legacy benefits being phased out include tax credits, housing benefit, income support, jobseeker's allowance, and income-related employment and support allowance.

The move is aimed at bringing all government financial support into one place.

According to the department, the majority of people will not be worse off under Universal Credit.

Customers affected by the change have three months from the date on their migration notice to apply for Universal Credit.

Action only needs to be taken once a claimant has received the letter.

Sir Stephen Timms, minister for social security and disability, said: "Having three months to make a move may feel like a long time but life can often distract you elsewhere.

"For the best chance to secure your benefit entitlement, don’t delay with responding to your migration notice."

He also reassured customers of the department's commitment to ensuring a smooth transition.

He added that customers will have the full support of DWP staff to help manage this change.

The department has encouraged anyone who needs support to contact them for a smooth transition before their deadline.

More information can be found on the UK Government website.

The timeline for migration is laid out by the department.

From March 2023, tax credit customers below the state pension age started receiving their migration notices.

From April 2024, those with tax credits and housing benefit, as well as those on income support started receiving letters.

June 2024 saw migration notices sent to housing benefit-only claimants.

From July 2024, income-related employment support allowance recipients with child tax credits, and those of state pension age with tax credits, were notified.

Finally, from September 2024, migration notices started to be sent to those on income-based jobseeker’s allowance, and employment and support allowance (with or without housing benefit).

The department's initiative is a significant step towards simplifying the benefits system and ensuring that financial support is more accessible to those who need it.