Half a million benefit claimants are being reminded to “take action” or risk losing Government support.

This group are in receipt of support through the legacy Tax Credit regime and are due to be migrated on to Universal Credit.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is writing to the 500,000 individuals to alert them to the fact they will be receiving so-called Migration Notices which will ask them to transition to Universal Credit.

Any claimants who do not complete this task within three months of receiving a DWP letter risk losing benefit entitlements.

Over 130,000 people have already switched from Tax Credits to the digital Universal Credit system.

The DWP claims the transfer allows claimants to access their benefits more easily and make changes to their claim depending on their circumstances.

Claimants, including those with limited work requirements, will be able to access a variety of unemployment support through via face-to-face Jobcentre support in and via Help to Claim.

This transition to Universal Credit is part of the Government’s wider “Back to Work” plan.

Britons in receipt of Income Support and Tax Credits will begin receiving DWP letters this month. Others who are transitioning to Universal Credit will receive letters through the summer.

Where an individual’s payment under Universal Credit is lower than what they received under previous schemes, they will be entitled to a top-up payment known as Transitional Protection.

Jo Churchill MP, the Government’s minister for Employment, said: “Universal Credit is a proven benefits system fit for the modern age.

“With even more people moving to Universal Credit, we can continue to provide the best level of support for people to secure financial independence through work.

“I would encourage all those who receive their Migration Notices to take action to ensure they continue to receive the benefits they are entitled to.”