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Urgent DWP Warning: Which Two Major UK Benefits Are Confirmed To End By April 2026?

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The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed a major, final phase in its decade-long welfare reform plan, leading to sensational headlines that "UK benefits are ending next year." As of today, December 20, 2025, the reality is more nuanced than a complete end to all support, but the change is critical and affects millions of households across the United Kingdom. The core of the policy is the managed migration of claimants from older 'legacy benefits' onto the Universal Credit (UC) system, a process that is scheduled to conclude by the end of March 2026.

This transition means that while the overall welfare safety net remains, several long-standing payment schemes will officially cease to exist. The DWP has specifically highlighted two major benefits—Income Support and Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance—which will be formally abolished from April 1, 2026, marking the end of an era for the UK's social security landscape. Claimants currently receiving these payments must take urgent action to avoid a sudden loss of income.

The Complete List of DWP Benefits Being Replaced by March 2026

The confusion surrounding the "benefits ending" claim stems from the final deadline for the Managed Migration programme. This is the official DWP process to move all remaining claimants from the old system to the new Universal Credit system. While the process has been ongoing for years, the final cut-off date for the legacy benefits is fast approaching. All six benefits in this category will be closed by the end of March 2026.

The six "legacy benefits" being phased out and replaced by Universal Credit are:

  • Income Support (IS): This benefit, for those on a low income who are not required to look for work (such as single parents or full-time carers), is one of the two specifically confirmed to be abolished from April 1, 2026.
  • Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA): The second major benefit confirmed to be scrapped on April 1, 2026. Claimants will be moved to the Universal Credit equivalent for jobseekers.
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA): The migration for those only claiming Income-Related ESA is scheduled to be completed by the end of March 2026. Claimants will move to Universal Credit or 'New Style' ESA.
  • Housing Benefit: This benefit, which helps with rent payments, is being rolled into the housing element of Universal Credit.
  • Working Tax Credit (WTC): Tax Credits are being replaced by the Universal Credit system.
  • Child Tax Credit (CTC): Similar to WTC, this is also being replaced by the Universal Credit system.

The DWP's goal is to simplify the welfare system into a single, monthly payment: Universal Credit. This is a massive administrative undertaking that affects millions of people who have not yet been moved over.

Critical Deadline: What Claimants Must Do to Avoid Losing Payments

For those currently receiving any of the six legacy benefits, the most important word is 'Migration.' You will receive a Migration Notice letter from the DWP. This letter is crucial and must not be ignored. It is the official instruction to make a new claim for Universal Credit.

The process works as follows:

  1. Receive the Migration Notice: The DWP will send a letter informing you that your current legacy benefit is ending.
  2. The Deadline: You will be given a specific deadline—typically three months from the date on the letter—to make a claim for Universal Credit.
  3. Take Action: You must make a new claim for Universal Credit before the deadline. If you do not, your current legacy benefit payments will stop.
  4. Transitional Protection: If you claim Universal Credit before the deadline, you may be entitled to 'Transitional Protection.' This payment ensures that if your Universal Credit entitlement is less than your old legacy benefit entitlement, your payment will be topped up to the same amount, ensuring you are not financially worse off at the point of migration. This protection is only available if you claim by the deadline.

If you miss the deadline, your legacy benefit payments will stop, and you will have to make a new claim for Universal Credit without the benefit of Transitional Protection. This could result in a lower payment and a gap in your income.

Significant DWP Changes and Upratings for 2026

While the focus is on the legacy benefits ending, the DWP is also implementing several other major changes in 2026 that will affect millions of claimants, including those already on Universal Credit and disability benefits. These changes are part of the annual uprating and ongoing welfare reform.

Benefit Uprating (Payment Increases)

Most DWP benefits, including Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA), and the State Pension, are set to increase from April 2026. The increase is typically in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rate of inflation from the previous September. For the 2026/2027 financial year, many benefits are expected to rise by approximately 3.8%. This increase is a welcome boost for those relying on the welfare system.

PIP and DLA Review Period Changes

The DWP is making a significant administrative change to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) from April 2026. The department will lengthen the review periods for PIP awards. Currently, many claimants face reviews every nine months, but this is set to be extended to up to five years for some individuals. This move is designed to save administrative costs and reduce the stress and uncertainty for disabled claimants who face frequent reassessments. Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is also subject to the uprating.

Universal Credit Specific Reforms

Several internal changes to Universal Credit are also scheduled for 2026:

  • The Two-Child Limit: There is an ongoing political discussion and potential policy change regarding the removal of the two-child limit, which restricts the child element of Universal Credit to the first two children. While a definitive date is subject to political decision, changes are anticipated in the 2026/2027 period.
  • LCWRA Element Change: New claimants of Universal Credit who are assessed as having Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity (LCWRA) may see a change in their additional monthly payment. Instead of receiving the full amount, a reduced rate has been proposed for new claimants from April 2026.
  • Universal Credit Standard Allowance: The standard allowance for Universal Credit is also part of the uprating, increasing by a percentage linked to inflation.

The Long-Term Impact of Managed Migration

The final closure of legacy benefits by March 2026 is a major milestone in the UK's welfare reform journey. The transition impacts a wide range of individuals, including jobseekers, carers, single parents, and those with long-term health conditions. The DWP's official process, Managed Migration, is intended to be a safe path to the new system, but the onus is on the claimant to act upon receiving the Migration Notice.

Entities that provide support, such as Citizens Advice, Turn2us, and various disability charities, are urging all legacy benefit claimants to prepare now. Understanding the new Universal Credit system, how your income and savings will be assessed, and the importance of the Transitional Protection are vital steps to ensure financial stability during this period of significant DWP change. The 2026 deadline is not the end of benefits, but the end of the old system.

Urgent DWP Warning: Which Two Major UK Benefits Are Confirmed to End by April 2026?
dwp confirms uk benefits ending next year
dwp confirms uk benefits ending next year

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