The DWP has confirmed two legacy benefits will be fully phased out by April 2026, with all claimants required to move to Universal Credit or lose payments
The Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) is set to completely phase out two benefits next year, replacing them with Universal Credit. The government department has been sending letters to individuals on legacy benefits, setting a deadline for Universal Credit applications or risk losing all their payments.
Income Support and Jobseeker’s Allowance are due to be fully phased out by April 1, 2026. Despite previous assertions from the DWP that no one would be claiming these benefits by April, a report by the Independent revealed that as of February this year, 80,000 people were still receiving them.
Minister for social security and disability, Sir Stephen Timms, stressed that those who receive a migration notice to Universal Credit should not ‘ignore it’. According to DWP guidelines, such Migration Notice letters will include a deadline by which the claimant must apply for Universal Credit, or they will stop receiving financial support.
As for how much legacy benefit recipients will get from Universal Credit, DWP guidance suggests that in most cases, those transitioning to Universal Credit will be able to receive the same amount they got from their previous benefits, and potentially even more. Claimants will receive the standard Universal Credit allowance, along with any additional amounts that apply, reports the Mirror.
How much legacy benefit claimants will get from Universal Credit
The DWP has issued guidance stating that most people switching to Universal Credit will receive the same amount as their previous benefits, and in some cases, even more. You’ll get the standard Universal Credit allowance, plus any additional amounts that apply.
The current monthly Universal Credit allowance is:
- Single and under 25 – £316.98
- Single and 25 or over – £400.14
- Live with a partner and both under 25 – £497.55 (for both)
- Live with a partner and one or both are 25 or over – £628.10 (for both)
Extra amounts may be available depending on your circumstances.
Missed the migration deadline?
Even if you miss the deadline specified in the Migration Notice letter, you can still apply for Universal Credit online. However, you won’t be eligible for transitional protection top-up payments, which supplement your Universal Credit if your legacy benefit was higher.
If you’re unsure whether you’d benefit from transitional protection, you can use the Policy in Practice better off calculator here. Bear in mind, though, that this won’t take into account any deductions from your Universal Credit amount.
How to claim Universal Credit
You can apply for Universal Credit online. You’ll need to create a Universal Credit account and complete your claim within 28 days of setting up the account.
To apply, you’ll need:
- Your bank, building society, or credit union account details
- Access to a phone
- An email address
You might also need to verify your identity with various documents. This could include:
- Payslip or P60
- Passport
- Driving licence
- Passport
- Debit or credit card.
