Overview
- The DWP has sent hundreds of thousands of migration notices to legacy benefit recipients as it consolidates claims onto Universal Credit.
- From April 1, 2026, Income Support and income‑based Jobseeker’s Allowance will end, and the department expects no one to be claiming them by that date.
- Migration notices typically give three months to start a Universal Credit claim, entitlement to the old benefits ends two weeks after that deadline, and extensions can be requested.
- Many people are expected to receive at least the same amount on Universal Credit, with automatic transitional protection in place where entitlement would be lower; a 2022 DWP analysis estimated 55% better off and 35% worse off.
- Tax credits have already ended, and Income‑related ESA and most Housing Benefit are also being phased out with exemptions for supported or temporary accommodation, while benefits such as PIP remain unchanged.