Practically 800,000 extra individuals have began claiming the profit however the DWP defined these figures is probably not what individuals assume
The rise in Common Credit score claims over the previous few years has largely come from the migration (Picture: GETTY)
The Division for Work and Pensions has addressed the dramatic rise in Common Credit score claimants over the previous few years, making certain it’s not what individuals assume as practically 80% of those new recipients didn’t make new claims for the profit.
Since 2022, six legacy advantages have been step by step absorbed into Common Credit score and the DWP assured that is making up the overwhelming majority of the staggering will increase in claims. The division wrote on X: “Practically 80% of the rise is individuals being moved from outdated advantages onto Common Credit score. Not new claims. A transition we inherited.
“And it is the identical story for these with no work necessities – a minimum of 72% of that enhance is legacy profit claimants transferring throughout.”
In December 2025, the full variety of individuals claiming Common Credit score in Britain stood at 8.34 million, up virtually a full million since December 2024. Nevertheless, information revealed on Tuesday confirmed that over 775,000 of those individuals had been moved from legacy advantages.
Right here’s what’s really taking place with the rise within the Common Credit score caseload
Practically 80% of the rise is individuals being moved from outdated advantages onto Common Credit score
Not new claims
A transition we inherited
Information supply https://t.co/mnxKOZS3fP pic.twitter.com/SgzDOjuu7s
— Division for Work and Pensions (@DWPgovuk) February 17, 2026
In essence, the staggering enhance in individuals receiving Common Credit score since 2022 is because of a circumstantial lump case shift somewhat than a development indicating what number of extra individuals might proceed to make new claims for the profit sooner or later.
The transfer from legacy advantages to Common Credit score has been going by way of a managed migration course of. Those that have been affected have been issued migration notices and supplied a chance to switch their declare to Common Credit score with Transitional Safety earlier than their present advantages stopped.
Legacy advantages being moved to Common Credit score:
- Earnings-related Employment and Help Allowance (ESA)
- Baby Tax Credit score
- Working Tax Credit score
- Housing Profit
- Earnings Help
- Earnings-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
A few of these advantages, like Working Tax Credit and Baby Tax Credit, have already formally ended. The Authorities anticipates that the ultimate phases of the migration will likely be full by the tip of March.
The managed migration course of begins when an individual receives their migration discover. It will comprise their very own private deadline they should apply for Common Credit score by as a way to obtain Transitional Safety, which ensures they received’t be left worse off on the brand new system.
For instance, if somebody acquired £600 a month from Tax Credit however solely qualifies for £400 from Common Credit score underneath the traditional eligibility guidelines, the Transitional Safety will add an additional £200. Nevertheless, in case you miss the deadline in your migration discover, you won’t be able to get any Transitional Safety.
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Individuals who aren’t in a position to make the deadline of their migration discover may additionally have the ability to get affordable changes from the DWP. This will likely embrace prolonged deadlines or the usage of appointees for those that are unable to handle their very own affairs.
Earlier this month, Sir Stephen Timms revealed that over 150 Advanced Case Coaches have been deployed to supply personalised help who’re working with native safeguarding groups for significantly weak individuals.
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