The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has initiated a final push to move hundreds of thousands of claimants off legacy benefits, with a firm deadline now set for the complete cessation of several key schemes.
April 2026: The Final Deadline for Legacy Benefits
Income Support and Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) will officially end on 1 April 2026, the DWP has confirmed. This forms part of the long-running managed migration process, shifting six old-style benefits into the Universal Credit system. The department has stated it expects no one to be claiming these specific benefits after that date.
Households currently receiving the affected benefits are being sent crucial "migration notices" by post. These letters inform recipients of the change and provide a personal deadline, typically three months from receipt, by which they must make a claim for Universal Credit.
Act Now to Protect Your Payments
The DWP emphasises that entitlement to the old benefits will stop just two weeks after the deadline stated in the migration letter. It is vital that claimants act promptly. Those who apply for Universal Credit by their given deadline will receive "transitional protection" if their new entitlement is lower. This is an automatic top-up to ensure they receive the same amount as before.
However, this safety net is not guaranteed. Anyone who applies after their personal deadline will not qualify for transitional protection, potentially facing a reduced income. The DWP has advised that claimants who cannot meet the deadline should contact them immediately to request an extension.
Winners, Losers, and the Scale of Change
According to a DWP analysis from 2022, 55% of legacy benefit claimants will be better off under Universal Credit, while around 35% will see a lower entitlement. The transitional protection is designed to cushion the financial blow for the latter group as they move across.
The department confirmed it increased the volume of migration notices sent out last year, accelerating the final phase of the transition. Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit have already been closed to new claims. The remaining benefits being phased out include Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Housing Benefit, except for those in supported or temporary accommodation.
A critical warning from the DWP states that benefits will end even if a claimant chooses not to apply for Universal Credit. Ignoring the migration notice is not an option for those who wish to continue receiving financial support. The government's official position is that most people will be eligible for at least the same amount on Universal Credit as they received from their previous benefits, provided they complete the move correctly and on time.
