UC managed migration: Q1 2026 statistics show 87% moved, 9% closed, 4% in deadline risk

What changed

DWP's quarterly publication reports outcomes for the 184,000 migration notices issued between 1 January and 31 March 2026:

• 87% of households sent a notice in the quarter have claimed Universal Credit before their deadline.
• 9% had their legacy claim closed because they did not claim UC within the three-month deadline (plus any granted extension).
• 4% are still within their deadline window and have not yet claimed.

The closed-no-claim rate dropped from 11% in Q4 2025 to 9% in Q1 2026 — the lowest quarterly figure since managed migration began. DWP attributes the improvement to expanded Enhanced Support (follow-up phone calls at 6 weeks and 10 weeks for households that have not engaged).

Transitional protection — the top-up that holds a household's award at legacy levels when UC would otherwise pay less — continues for 41% of successfully migrated households. The average transitional-protection top-up in Q1 was £137 a month.

Who it affects

The statistics cover households on the six legacy benefits still being migrated: income-based JSA, income-related ESA, Income Support, Housing Benefit, Working Tax Credit, and Child Tax Credit. By the end of Q1 2026, the remaining legacy caseload stands at an estimated 412,000 households — down from 1.1 million at the start of 2024.

The 9% closed-no-claim figure translates to roughly 16,500 households in Q1 alone whose legacy benefits ended without moving to UC. A share of those will have entitlement they are no longer claiming; a share will genuinely not qualify for UC (for example, capital above £16,000 or no current benefit unit); and a share simply did not engage with the notice.

When it takes effect

Migration notices continue to be issued weekly. DWP is on track to complete the programme for working-age claimants by late 2026, with the final cohort (ESA-only, no Tax Credit interaction) being managed through 2025-26. Pension-age mixed couples and certain ESA edge cases are being migrated last.

What to do

1. If you are on a legacy benefit and have not yet received a migration notice, check your postal address with DWP and HMRC. Notices are sent by post and the three-month deadline runs from the date on the letter.
2. If you have received a notice, claim UC before the deadline. Our managed migration guide walks through the claim process and what to do if you need an extension.
3. If you think you would be worse off on UC, check whether transitional protection would apply. Our UC vs legacy comparison calculator shows the likely monthly difference and whether TP would cover it.
4. If your legacy claim was closed because you missed the deadline, you can still make a fresh UC claim — you just lose any transitional protection. Don't leave a gap: apply as soon as possible.