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5 UK Benefits Confirmed By DWP To Be Scrapped By April 2026: The Urgent Migration Guide

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The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed a critical deadline for the end of two major UK benefits, with the final phase of the 'Managed Migration' to Universal Credit (UC) accelerating rapidly. As of December 2025, claimants of two key 'legacy benefits'—Income Support (IS) and income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)—must take immediate action, as these schemes are officially set to be abolished by April 1, 2026. This comprehensive guide breaks down the urgent changes, the full list of benefits affected, and the crucial steps you must take to protect your payments.

This is not a blanket end to all UK benefits, but rather the final stage of a decade-long process to replace six older, complex 'legacy benefits' with the single, streamlined Universal Credit system. The DWP is now issuing ‘Migration Notices’ to affected households, and ignoring this letter could result in the complete loss of financial support. Understanding the specific benefits that are ending and the protection available is vital for financial security in the coming year.

The Full List of Legacy Benefits Being Phased Out by March 2026

The core of the DWP’s reform is the replacement of six specific legacy benefits with Universal Credit. While the April 2026 deadline specifically targets the final claims for Income Support and income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, the overall goal is to complete the migration of all remaining claims by the end of March 2026. Claimants currently receiving any of the following benefits will eventually receive a Migration Notice and must switch to Universal Credit.

  • 1. Income Support (IS): Claims for this benefit are set to end by April 1, 2026. It was typically claimed by people not in full-time work who had a low income.
  • 2. Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA): This is also slated to be fully scrapped by April 1, 2026, as the DWP moves claimants onto the Universal Credit job-seeking regime.
  • 3. Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA): While the migration for those receiving ESA is ongoing, it is one of the six core legacy benefits being replaced.
  • 4. Housing Benefit (HB): This benefit, which helps with rent payments, is being rolled into the housing element of Universal Credit.
  • 5. Working Tax Credit (WTC): Tax Credits, including WTC, were among the first to be phased out, with the deadline for new claims long passed. Existing claimants are now being moved over.
  • 6. Child Tax Credit (CTC): Similar to WTC, CTC claimants are being migrated to the child element of Universal Credit.

The DWP’s acceleration of the Managed Migration process means that hundreds of thousands of claimants are being moved from these older, separate systems to the single monthly payment of Universal Credit.

Understanding the Managed Migration Process and Your DWP Migration Notice

The term 'Managed Migration' refers to the controlled process by which the DWP is systematically transferring claimants from the legacy systems to Universal Credit (UC). This is distinct from 'Natural Migration,' where a change in a claimant's circumstances (like a new job or moving house) automatically triggers a move to UC.

The key document in this process is the Migration Notice. This letter is sent by the DWP and formally informs you that your existing legacy benefit will end on a specific date, usually giving you a three-month deadline to make a claim for Universal Credit.

What Happens When You Receive a Migration Notice?

  1. The Deadline is Set: The letter will specify a date by which you must submit your Universal Credit claim. This deadline is legally binding.
  2. Action is Required: You must claim Universal Credit before the deadline. If you miss the deadline, your legacy benefit payments will stop completely, and you will have to make a new claim for Universal Credit from scratch, potentially losing access to important financial protections.
  3. The Benefit Stops: Once you claim UC, your legacy benefit payments will stop. The DWP will then calculate your new UC entitlement.

The DWP has stated that the goal is to have all legacy benefit claimants moved to Universal Credit by the end of March 2026.

Crucial Financial Safeguard: Transitional Protection Explained

One of the most significant concerns for claimants is the fear of receiving less money under the new Universal Credit system. The DWP has a mechanism in place called Transitional Protection to address this. This is a crucial element of the managed migration that you must be aware of.

Transitional Protection is an extra payment that is added to your Universal Credit award to ensure that you are not financially worse off on the day you move from your legacy benefits to UC.

Key Rules for Transitional Protection

  • Eligibility: You are only eligible for Transitional Protection if you move to Universal Credit as part of the DWP’s Managed Migration process—meaning you received a Migration Notice. If you choose to switch voluntarily (a 'Natural Migration'), you will not receive this protection.
  • Calculation: The DWP compares your total entitlement from your old legacy benefits (known as the 'legacy amount') with your calculated Universal Credit entitlement (the 'UC amount'). If the UC amount is lower, the difference is paid as a Transitional Protection element.
  • Erosion: This protected amount is not permanent. It remains the same until your UC entitlement catches up. Any future increase in your UC award (due to uprating or a change in circumstances) will first reduce the Transitional Protection element until it is completely eroded.
  • Changes in Circumstances: Certain changes in your life, such as a change in your household composition (e.g., a new partner moving in), can cause the Transitional Protection to end completely.

It is essential to claim within the deadline specified in your Migration Notice to secure this financial safeguard. Failure to do so means you will be treated as a new claimant, and your payment will be based purely on the standard Universal Credit rules, potentially resulting in a lower income. Organisations like Citizens Advice and Entitledto offer free tools and guidance to help claimants understand their new entitlements and the rules around the Universal Credit Act 2025.

What Claimants Must Do Now to Prepare for 2026

With the deadline for Income Support and income-based Jobseeker's Allowance rapidly approaching in April 2026, proactive preparation is critical. The DWP is moving quickly, and being ready for your Migration Notice is the best way to ensure a smooth transition and secure your Transitional Protection.

A 3-Step Action Plan

1. Update Your Contact Details: Ensure the DWP has your most current address, phone number, and email. The Migration Notice is sent by post, and missing it is the primary reason claimants lose their protection. If you are a claimant of Income Support or income-based JSA, your letter is imminent.

2. Prepare Your Documentation: Universal Credit claims require detailed information, including your housing costs, savings, and income. Gather documentation such as tenancy agreements, bank statements, and payslips now to prevent delays when you receive your notice.

3. Seek Independent Advice: If you are unsure about how the move to Universal Credit will affect you, seek advice immediately. Charities and non-profit organisations specialising in benefits, such as Turn2us or your local Citizens Advice, can provide personalised calculations and guidance on the complex rules of the Managed Migration. They can also advise on other elements of the DWP system, including the annual benefits uprating amounts for 2026/2027.

The end of these legacy benefits marks a significant shift in the UK social security landscape. By understanding the DWP’s timeline, the specific benefits being scrapped, and the importance of the Migration Notice, claimants can successfully navigate this change and secure their financial future under Universal Credit.

5 UK Benefits Confirmed by DWP to Be Scrapped by April 2026: The Urgent Migration Guide
dwp confirms uk benefits ending next year
dwp confirms uk benefits ending next year

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