Universal Credit Migration Universal Credit is replacing six tested benefits Income Support, income-based Jobseekers Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Housing Benefit, Child Tax Credits and Working Tax Credits. These are ‘legacy benefits’.  What is ‘migration’ to Universal Credit?  Migration means that you will be told by the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) that you have to move to Universal Credit from one of the existing legacy benefits.  This is called ‘managed migration’. As part of the managed migration process, the DWP is writing to people to invite them to claim Universal Credit. This letter is called a ‘migration notice’. These notices will be issued in stages depending on what type of legacy benefit you receive.  The DWP will start to issue migration notices from 09 April 2024.  I have received a migration notice. What should I do?  If you have received a migration notice do not ignore it. You must claim Universal Credit because within 3 months from the date of the letter.   Your legacy benefits will be stopped after this date. If you claim Universal Credit before the deadline the DWP may pay you extra if you are worse off after the move. This is called ‘transitional protection’. This means if you get less Universal Credit than under your old benefits you will get an extra amount to make up the difference. If you do not apply by the deadline you may lose any transitional protection.  How do I make a claim for Universal Credit? If you have received a migration notice you must apply for Universal Credit online  within 3 months. Most people make their Universal Credit claim online. It can take an hour or more to apply if you’re doing it online. Having the right documents and information to apply  will make the application quicker. If you are unable to apply online the help to claim service can help you to apply.  You can also contact the Universal Credit helpline: Universal Credit helpline Telephone: 0800 328 5644 Welsh language: 0800 328 1744 Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 328 5644 British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service if you’re on a computer – find out how to use the service on mobile or tablet Textphone: 0800 328 1344 Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm For more information – Managed migration to Universal Credit | London Borough of Barking and Dagenham (lbbd.gov.uk)

Important Information: Temporary Change in Opening Hours As part of our ongoing efforts to better serve our community, we are making important changes to the opening hours at some of our Community and Family Hubs. These changes will start on Monday, 23rd September 2024, and have been put in place to ensure we continue to meet the needs of residents while delivering our services. Please find below the updated opening hours for each hub: Please note that the opening hours in bold show the new changes effective from 23rd September 2024. Hub Name Current Opening Hours New Opening Hours Barking Learning Centre Community and Family Hub Monday to Thursday: 9am to 7pmFriday and Saturday: 9am to 5pmSunday: 9am to 4pm Monday & Tuesday: 9am to 5pmWednesday 9am to 7pmThursday & Friday: 9am to 5pmSaturday: 9am to 5pmSunday: 10am to 4pm Dagenham Learning Centre Community and Family Hub Monday to Thursday: 9am to 7pmFriday and Saturday: 9am to 5pm Monday to Wednesday: 9am to 5pmThursday 9am to 7pmFriday & Saturday: 9am to 5pm Heath Community Hub Monday to Friday: 9am to 5pm Monday 9am to 5pmTuesday – ClosedWednesday 9am to 5pmThursday – ClosedFriday 9am to 5pm Village Community Hub Monday to Friday: 9am to 5pm Monday – ClosedTuesday: 9am to 5pmWednesday – closedThursday 9am to 5pmFriday – Closed Please note that there will be no changes to the opening hours for the following hubs: Hub Name Current Opening Hours Becontree Community HubChildren & Young People Disability (CYPD) Hub Monday to Friday: 9am to 5pm Marks Gate Community and Family Hub Monday to Friday: 9am to 5pm Thames Community Hub Monday to Friday: 9am to 5pm Valence Community Hub Monday: 10am to 5pmTuesday: 10am to 7pmWednesday & Thursday: 10am to 5pmSaturday: 10am to 4pm Whalebone and Chadwell Heath Community Hub (Robert Jeyes Community Library) Monday to Wednesday 10am to 5pmThursday: 10am to 7pm