
DWP to end six benefits by 2026 with millions set to lose out in months
DWP to end six benefits by 2026 with millions set to lose out in months
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is continuing with the phasing out of older benefits for millions this year
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is continuing to phase out older benefits for millions this year
(Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne )
People receiving certain benefits are being urged to take action if they wish to continue receiving payments. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is persisting with the phasing out of older benefits for millions this year.
A few years ago, the DWP began transitioning individuals on specific benefits, known as legacy benefits, over to universal credit, which was launched in 2013. This process, known as managed migration, has been gradually implemented over several years, with individuals being informed that they would be transitioned and, in some cases, would need to make a universal credit claim, according to WalesOnline.
Full-scale managed migration kicked off in April 2023, extending to different regions across Great Britain. The six legacy benefits being phased out include:
Child and working tax credit
Income-based jobseeker's allowance
Income support
Income-related employment
Support allowance
Housing benefit
Tax credit is the first of 2025's legacy benefit closures.
According to the DWP website, the benefit was set to cease in April 2025, meaning recipients must respond to their migration notices to continue receiving benefits.
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Those affected have three months from the date on their migration notice to apply for universal credit.
Furthermore, the planned transition of approximately 800,000 recipients of income-related employment and support allowance (ESA) alone, or income-related ESA in conjunction with housing benefit, has been expedited.
This had initially been postponed to 2028/29.
The DWP began sending migration notices to these claimants in September 2024, with the aim of informing all individuals in this group by December 2025.
The DWP plans to move all legacy benefit recipients to universal credit by March 2026, completing the rollout and ending all legacy benefits by this date.
Here is the complete timeline of managed migration:
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Here is the full timeline of managed migration:

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