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5 Critical UK Benefits Ending Next Year: DWP Confirms Mandatory Switch To Universal Credit By April 2026

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The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is accelerating one of the most significant overhauls of the UK welfare system in a generation, with a definitive deadline set for the final phase-out of several major legacy benefits. As of December 2025, the government has confirmed that two key benefits—Income Support and Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance—will be completely abolished by April 2026, forcing hundreds of thousands of claimants to transition to Universal Credit (UC) or risk losing their financial support. This mandatory "managed migration" process is reaching its final stages, and understanding the urgent steps required is critical for anyone still receiving these older payments.

This major policy shift is part of a long-term strategy to simplify the benefits system under the flagship Universal Credit program. While the news is framed as "benefits ending," it is more accurately a forced transition from five distinct legacy benefits to the single, all-encompassing Universal Credit system. This article breaks down the exact benefits being phased out, the critical deadlines, and what claimants need to do right now to ensure a smooth switch and maintain their payments into the next financial year.

Key DWP Policy Profile: The Legacy Benefits Phase-Out

The core of the DWP's major policy change for 2026 is the complete cessation of what are known as "legacy benefits." This section profiles the specific benefits being phased out and the new system they are being replaced by.

  • Policy Name: Managed Migration to Universal Credit (UC).
  • Governing Body: Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
  • Original Legacy Benefits Being Replaced: The DWP is moving to abolish five main legacy benefits, with two having a confirmed end date of April 2026:
    • Income Support (IS)
    • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
    • Income-Related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
    • Housing Benefit (HB)
    • Working Tax Credit (WTC) & Child Tax Credit (CTC)
  • Confirmed Abolition Date for IS and JSA: April 1, 2026.
  • Replacement Benefit: Universal Credit (UC).
  • Migration Process: Claimants receive a "Migration Notice" letter from the DWP, giving them a deadline (usually three months) to apply for Universal Credit. Failure to apply by this deadline will result in the cessation of their existing benefit payments.
  • Goal: To simplify the benefits system, encourage work, and provide a single, monthly payment that adjusts automatically to changes in circumstances.

The Two Benefits Confirmed to be Scrapped by April 2026

The most immediate and critical deadline applies to recipients of Income Support and Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance. The DWP has explicitly confirmed that all existing claims for these two legacy payments will stop on April 1, 2026.

1. Income Support (IS)

Income Support is a benefit designed to top up the income of people who are not required to look for work, such as lone parents with a child under five, carers, or those who are sick or disabled. This benefit is now being fully absorbed into the Universal Credit system. The DWP has been sending out Migration Notices to all remaining claimants to ensure they make the switch.

2. Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)

Income-based JSA is a payment for those who are unemployed and actively looking for work, with the amount based on the claimant's income and savings. The DWP's transition to Universal Credit means that the entire job-seeking support structure is now handled through UC, which provides a single monthly payment and is linked to the claimant commitment. The April 2026 date marks the final cut-off for this payment.

Crucial Warning: The Migration Notice

If you are on one of these legacy benefits, the DWP will send you a Migration Notice letter. This letter is not a suggestion—it is a mandatory instruction to apply for Universal Credit. You must apply before the deadline stated in your letter, which is typically three months from the date of the notice. If you miss this deadline, your current benefit payments will stop, and you will have to make a new claim for Universal Credit, which can result in a gap in payments.

Understanding the Universal Credit Migration: What Claimants Need to Know

The move from a legacy benefit to Universal Credit is not a simple transfer; it is a new application. Claimants need to be aware of several key differences and potential impacts.

The 'Transitional Protection' Safety Net

One of the biggest concerns for claimants is whether they will be worse off on Universal Credit. The DWP has introduced a safeguard called Transitional Protection. If the amount of Universal Credit you are entitled to is less than the amount you received from your legacy benefits, this protection ensures your UC payment is topped up to match your previous total. This protection only applies if you apply for Universal Credit before the deadline specified in your Migration Notice. If you make a voluntary claim before receiving a notice, you will not be eligible for this protection.

The Universal Credit Payment Structure

Unlike the weekly or fortnightly payments of many legacy benefits, Universal Credit is paid once a month, in arrears. This can be a significant change for household budgeting. Furthermore, UC includes a housing element that is paid directly to the claimant, who is then responsible for paying their landlord, unlike Housing Benefit, which was often paid directly to the landlord. Understanding this new monthly payment cycle is vital for financial planning.

The Remaining Legacy Benefits and Future Deadlines

While Income Support and Income-based JSA have the earliest final cut-off, the DWP is continuing to phase out the other three legacy benefits over the coming years. The full completion of the managed migration for all claimants, including those on Income-Related ESA and Tax Credits, is currently expected to be completed by the end of 2028, with the majority of the phase-out completed by 2026. If you are on one of these other benefits, you will receive your Migration Notice at a later date, but the process and the need to act remain the same.

Beyond the Phase-Out: Other Major DWP Changes for 2026

While the focus is on the legacy benefit phase-out, the DWP is also implementing other significant changes that will affect millions of UK households in 2026.

Annual Benefit Uprating

The DWP confirms that most benefits, including Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA), and the State Pension, will receive their annual increase in April 2026. This uprating is typically linked to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate from the previous September. This ensures that the value of the payments keeps pace with the rising cost of living. Claimants should monitor official DWP and government announcements in late 2025 and early 2026 for the confirmed percentage increase.

Changes to Disability Benefits

The DWP is also continuing to review and reform the assessment processes for disability and health-related benefits like PIP and ESA. While no major benefit is being scrapped, the focus is on improving the assessment experience and ensuring support is targeted effectively. The confirmed annual uprating for PIP and DLA will provide a financial boost to recipients from April 2026.

In summary, the DWP's confirmation that Income Support and Income-based JSA are ending by April 2026 is a clear signal that the time for all legacy benefit claimants to prepare for the switch to Universal Credit is now. Waiting for the Migration Notice is mandatory for Transitional Protection, but understanding the new system and preparing for the monthly payment cycle is a proactive step every claimant should take today.

5 Critical UK Benefits Ending Next Year: DWP Confirms Mandatory Switch to Universal Credit by April 2026
dwp confirms uk benefits ending next year
dwp confirms uk benefits ending next year

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