Thousands of people in the UK are at serious risk of losing their tax credit payments forever. The UK Government is officially ending all tax credit support from April 2025. If you still receive Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit, you must apply for Universal Credit (UC) before the deadline — or your payments will stop for good.
What’s Happening with Tax Credits?
The UK Government is making big changes to the benefits system. Tax credits are being fully replaced by Universal Credit. This is part of a long-term plan to simplify and modernise the benefits system.
If you currently receive tax credits, you should have already received a Migration Notice — a letter from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) — telling you to move to Universal Credit.
Important Deadline: April 5, 2025
According to Money Saving Expert (MSE), tax credit payments will officially stop on April 5, 2025. If you do not apply for Universal Credit before this date, your benefits will end and won’t restart, even if you apply later.
This is not automatic — you must act yourself after receiving the letter.
Key Points You Need to Know
- Tax credits (Working and Child Tax Credit) will end permanently on April 5, 2025.
- You must apply for Universal Credit if you want to continue receiving financial support.
- DWP has sent Migration Notices to those who need to switch.
- 3 out of 10 people who received the letter before have lost their payments by not applying on time.
- If you ignore the letter, you will lose your benefits permanently.
Who Will Be Affected?
This warning is for people who:
- Receive Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit.
- Have received a Migration Notice but haven’t yet applied for Universal Credit.
- May also affect others on legacy benefits (like Income Support, ESA, Housing Benefit), but this deadline mainly concerns tax credit claimants.
What Should You Do If You Get a Migration Notice?
- Read the letter carefully — it tells you how and when to apply for UC.
- Apply within three months of getting the letter.
- If you don’t apply, your tax credits will stop completely.
- If unsure, contact Citizens Advice or the DWP helpline for help.
Why It’s Urgent
If you depend on tax credits to manage your monthly expenses, pay rent, or buy groceries, losing this support will create serious financial problems. Once the deadline passes, there is no way to get your payments restarted. That’s why it is critical to apply as soon as possible after getting your notice.
April 5, 2025 is the final deadline to apply for Universal Credit if you still receive tax credits. If you miss this, your financial support will stop forever. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Read your DWP letter, apply for UC, and seek help if needed. This is your final chance to avoid losing vital support — act now.
FAQ’s
When do tax credit payments stop in the UK?
Tax credits will officially end on April 5, 2025. If you haven’t applied for Universal Credit by then, your payments will stop permanently.
What is a Migration Notice from DWP?
A Migration Notice is a letter from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) telling you to switch from tax credits to Universal Credit. It includes your deadline to apply.
What happens if I ignore the Migration Notice?
If you don’t apply for Universal Credit within the time mentioned in the notice, your tax credit payments will stop, and you won’t be moved automatically.
Who needs to apply for Universal Credit by April 2025?
Anyone receiving Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit who hasn’t yet applied for Universal Credit after getting a Migration Notice must apply by the deadline.
Where can I get help applying for Universal Credit?
You can contact Citizens Advice or call the DWP helpline if you need help understanding your Migration Notice or applying for Universal Credit.
