Wednesday 22 July, the DWP is introducing a run-on of legacy benefits for those moving to Universal Credit, to provide them with extra support.
What this means in practice is that if someone’s existing claim of income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Income Support ends due to them applying for Universal Credit they will, from Wednesday, receive a new, additional payment, worth up to two weeks of their legacy award. Eligible claimants will receive the full two-week run on as long as they do not have a change of circumstance during those two weeks that would terminate the legacy benefit that is being run on. If they do have a change that ends the legacy benefit during the run-on period, they would receive a partial run-on.
The one-time run-on payment does not need to be paid back, and will be paid automatically to eligible claimants when they claim Universal Credit for the first time. It will not affect the amount of Universal Credit they receive.
Run-on payments will also be made for other premiums claimants have been receiving prior to moving over to Universal Credit, including Enhanced Disability Premium, carer premium or ESA work-related activity component.
Gov.uk will be updated on Wednesday and there will be a social media animation on DWP’s channels.
Click here for further guidance.
