Migration Transitional Element
The Migration Transitional Element is paid to claimants who –
- receive a Migration Notice
- claim Universal Credit by their deadline
- do not become a couple / separate between receiving their Migration Notice and claiming Universal Credit
- would be worse off on Universal Credit than they were on their ‘legacy’ benefits.
It ensures that these claimants are not made immediately worse off by the move to Universal Credit.
The DWP will compare your total ‘legacy’ benefit award with the amount of Universal Credit you would be entitled to based on the same set of circumstances.
If this ‘indicative’ Universal Credit amount is lower than your total ‘legacy benefit’ award or nil, then the DWP will include a Transitional Element in your first Universal Credit award.
This Transitional Element will continue to be included in future assessments. But certain changes can reduce it, or end it altogether.
If you are worried that you may be worse off on Universal Credit, speak to a Benefits Adviser before you claim.
They can work out whether you will be entitled to a Transitional Element, whether there is a best time for you to claim and provide advice about how it might be reduced or lost altogether.