5 UK Benefits CONFIRMED To End By April 2026: The DWP’s Universal Credit Migration Deadline Explained
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is not ending all UK benefits next year, but a major overhaul of the welfare system is reaching its final and most critical phase. As of December 20, 2025, the DWP has officially confirmed that two major legacy benefits will be abolished by April 2026, with the entire managed migration process for millions of claimants nearing its conclusion. This is not a complete cut to the welfare state, but a mandatory transition to Universal Credit (UC) that carries a significant risk of lost payments for those who fail to act.
This article cuts through the sensational headlines to provide an accurate, up-to-date guide on the specific benefits being phased out, the final deadline for the transition, and other major DWP policy changes coming in 2026. Understanding the Universal Credit Managed Migration process is now an urgent priority for anyone currently receiving a legacy payment.
The Legacy Benefits Confirmed to be Phased Out by April 2026
The DWP's long-term strategy is to replace six "legacy benefits" with the single, streamlined Universal Credit payment. The final phase of this managed migration is accelerating, with definitive end dates set for some of the oldest benefits. Claimants receiving a Migration Notice letter must move to Universal Credit by the specified deadline or their current payments will stop.
The six legacy benefits being phased out are:
- Working Tax Credit (WTC)
- Child Tax Credit (CTC)
- Housing Benefit (HB)
- Income Support (IS)
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
- Income-Related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
The most recent DWP confirmation focuses on the hard deadline for the following two schemes:
1. Income Support (IS) and 2. Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
Both Income Support and income-based Jobseeker's Allowance are officially set to be abolished by April 1, 2026. Claimants receiving these benefits will be among the final groups to be sent a Migration Notice. Once the deadline in the notice passes, the legacy payments will stop. The DWP is urging all claimants to transfer to Universal Credit before this date to ensure a smooth transition and to avoid any gap in financial support.
3. Income-Related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and 4. Housing Benefit (HB)
The DWP is planning to contact all claimants of Income-Related ESA and those receiving Income-Related ESA with Housing Benefit by the end of March 2026, with the overall target for the migration of these groups set for March 2026. While the final legislative end date for all six legacy benefits is later, the DWP aims to complete the vast majority of the managed move by this time.
5. Tax Credits (WTC and CTC)
The migration of claimants receiving only Tax Credits (Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit) is largely complete, but any remaining claimants will be part of the final push. The DWP intends to contact everyone who still receives a legacy benefit by December 2025, with the goal of completing the transition by the March 2026 deadline.
The Urgent Universal Credit Migration Process and Financial Protection
The term "benefits ending" is misleading; it’s a replacement, not a cut. However, the process is mandatory, and failure to comply with the Migration Notice is what leads to the loss of income.
What is a Migration Notice?
A Migration Notice is a letter from the DWP informing a claimant that their current legacy benefit is ending and they must apply for Universal Credit by a specific deadline, usually three months from the date of the letter. This is the official start of the managed migration.
The Crucial Financial Safeguard: Transitional Protection
A key feature of the managed migration is Transitional Protection. This is a top-up payment designed to ensure that claimants who would receive less money on Universal Credit than they currently get on their legacy benefits do not experience a drop in income at the point of migration. This protection is only available to those who move as part of the DWP's managed process (i.e., after receiving a Migration Notice) and apply before the deadline. Claimants who choose to move voluntarily (a "natural migration") may lose this protection.
Other Major DWP and UK Benefit Changes for 2026
Beyond the managed migration, the DWP has confirmed several other significant changes to the UK welfare system scheduled for April 2026, impacting everyone from pensioners to disability claimants. These changes reflect the government's ongoing efforts to reform the social security landscape.
1. Annual Benefits Uprating (Increase)
Most DWP benefits, including disability and health-related payments, are set for an annual increase in April 2026. This benefits uprating is typically linked to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rate of inflation from the previous September. Current forecasts suggest most benefits will increase by an inflation-linked rate, for example, 3.8%. This ensures that payments keep pace with the rising cost of living.
- Affected Payments: State Pension, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Carer's Allowance, and most other non-legacy benefits.
- Universal Credit: The Universal Credit standard allowance will also increase, though the exact rate may differ slightly from other inflation-linked benefits.
2. Significant PIP Review Period Lengthening
The DWP is implementing a major administrative change to the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessment process. From April 2026, the review periods for PIP claimants will be significantly lengthened. This is a move intended to reduce administrative burden and provide more certainty for claimants.
- The Change: Review periods will be extended from the current nine months to a maximum of up to five years for many claimants.
- Impact: This should reduce the frequency of reassessments for those with long-term, stable conditions, saving both the claimant and the DWP time and resources.
3. Universal Credit Work Capability Assessment (WCA) Changes
New rules are also being introduced for Universal Credit claimants who are deemed to have Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity (LCWRA). While this group previously received a significant additional element in their UC payment, changes are coming:
- The Change: New claimants of Universal Credit who receive the LCWRA element will not receive the full amount and will instead receive a reduced payment.
- Goal: This is part of a broader government strategy to encourage more people into work, even with health conditions.
Actionable Steps for Claimants Ahead of the 2026 Deadline
If you are currently receiving a legacy benefit, the time to prepare for the transition is now. Do not wait for your Migration Notice. The DWP’s push to complete the managed migration by March/April 2026 means the process will be intense for the remaining months.
Key steps to take:
- Check Your Mail: Be vigilant for a Migration Notice letter from the DWP. This letter is critical and contains your application deadline.
- Do Not Ignore the Deadline: If you miss the deadline on your Migration Notice, your legacy benefit payments will stop, and you will have to make a new claim for Universal Credit.
- Seek Independent Advice: Before applying for Universal Credit, consult with a welfare rights organisation like Citizens Advice or Turn2us. They can perform a "better off calculation" to determine if you will be financially protected under the managed migration or if you should consider delaying a voluntary move.
- Gather Documents: Start collecting essential documents now, including proof of identity, housing costs, savings, and income details, to make the UC application process faster when your notice arrives.
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