Urgent DWP Update: 2 Major UK Benefits Confirmed To End By April 2026—What Claimants MUST Do Now
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed a significant overhaul of the UK’s welfare system, with two major legacy benefits officially set to be abolished by April 2026. This news, which has caused widespread concern among recipients, is part of the ongoing 'managed migration' process to transition all claimants onto the modern Universal Credit (UC) system. The critical distinction is that financial support is not ending entirely, but rather the specific schemes under which it is paid are being phased out and replaced. The deadline for this transition is rapidly approaching, making it essential for hundreds of thousands of claimants to understand the immediate steps they must take to avoid a sudden loss of income.
The announcement, made public in late 2025, clarifies the final timeline for the closure of specific benefits that pre-date Universal Credit. Claimants currently receiving these legacy payments will soon receive a 'Migration Notice' from the DWP, which acts as a formal instruction to apply for Universal Credit within a strict three-month deadline. Failure to act on this notice will result in payments being stopped, not due to government cuts, but because the old benefit schemes will cease to exist. This article breaks down the exact benefits being abolished, the new deadlines, and the crucial actions required to protect your financial support.
The Definitive List: Which DWP Benefits Are Ending and When?
The sensational headline that "UK benefits are ending next year" is rooted in the DWP’s long-term strategy to simplify the welfare system by replacing six 'legacy benefits' with a single, streamlined payment: Universal Credit (UC). While the entire welfare system is not being scrapped, the specific schemes listed below are confirmed to be closing down, with two of them hitting their official abolition date in early 2026.
Two Major Benefits Confirmed to be Abolished by April 2026
The DWP has confirmed that the following two benefits will be completely abolished by the start of the 2026/2027 financial year, meaning any existing claims will be stopped.
- Income Support (IS): This benefit, which provided financial help to people on a low income, is confirmed to be ending by April 2026. Claimants will be moved to Universal Credit.
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA): The income-based version of JSA, a benefit for those who are unemployed and actively seeking work, is also confirmed to be abolished by April 2026. Claimants must transition to Universal Credit.
The DWP’s managed migration process is targeting these two benefits, alongside others, to be fully transitioned to Universal Credit by the end of March 2026. This move is a critical phase in the government's decade-long plan to consolidate the benefits system.
The Full Legacy Benefits Migration Timeline
The move to Universal Credit is a continuous process. While Income Support and income-based JSA have the earliest confirmed end dates, the DWP’s overall plan is to phase out all remaining legacy benefits. The full list of benefits being replaced by Universal Credit includes:
- Working Tax Credit (WTC)
- Child Tax Credit (CTC)
- Housing Benefit (HB)
- Income Support (IS)
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Claimants of Income-Related ESA and Income-Related ESA with Housing Benefit are also scheduled to be asked to move to Universal Credit by the end of March 2026, marking a significant acceleration in the managed migration process.
Crucial Steps: What to Do When You Receive a Universal Credit Migration Notice
For claimants of the benefits listed above, the most important document you will receive is the Universal Credit Migration Notice. This is not a warning that your money is stopping, but an instruction to apply for the new benefit. Ignoring it is the single biggest risk to your financial support.
The Migration Notice Deadline: You will have a strict three-month period from the date on the notice to make a claim for Universal Credit. If you miss this deadline, your old legacy benefit payments will automatically stop.
Protecting Your Income: The Transitional Protection Guarantee
A major concern for claimants is the fear of receiving less money under Universal Credit. The DWP has a mechanism in place to address this: Transitional Protection. This is a top-up payment designed to ensure that claimants who would receive less money on Universal Credit than they did on their legacy benefits do not lose out financially at the point of migration.
Crucial Requirement: To be eligible for Transitional Protection, you must claim Universal Credit by the deadline stated in your Migration Notice. If you make a new claim for UC before you receive a notice, or if you apply after the deadline, you will not be eligible for this financial safeguard. This is why acting on the DWP's official letter is so vital.
Clarifying the Rumours: Which Benefits Are NOT Ending in 2026?
It is important to provide clarity on the benefits that are not being abolished, as much of the public confusion stems from conflating the ending of legacy schemes with the end of all welfare support. The vast majority of DWP benefits are not only continuing but are also set to increase in the upcoming financial year.
1. Disability and Health Benefits are Increasing
Benefits designed to support people with disabilities and long-term health conditions are not part of the managed migration to Universal Credit and are set to rise in line with the annual uprating rules.
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP): PIP is not ending and is confirmed to increase from April 2026.
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA): DLA is also not ending and will see a rise in payment rates from April 2026.
- Attendance Allowance: This benefit for older people with care needs will also be uprated.
The DWP has announced the proposed new weekly payment rates for Brits receiving these disability benefits, confirming their continued and increased financial support.
2. Universal Credit and State Pension are Rising
The core of the new welfare system, Universal Credit, is set to benefit from a combined increase in April 2026. This increase is linked to inflation and may also be supplemented by further planned increases, ensuring that the standard allowance rises.
The State Pension is also protected by the 'Triple Lock' mechanism, which ensures it rises by the highest of three figures: inflation, average earnings growth, or 2.5%. This mechanism guarantees an increase for pensioners in 2026.
Final Action Points for Claimants
The most important takeaway from the DWP's confirmation is the need for proactive engagement. The era of legacy benefits is drawing to a close, and the transition to Universal Credit is now in its final, most intense phase. If you currently receive Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, you should be preparing to receive your Migration Notice soon.
- Prepare for the Notice: Do not wait for your payments to stop. Gather all necessary documentation now, including details of your rent, savings, and income.
- Seek Advice: Organisations like Citizens Advice or local welfare rights groups can provide free, impartial advice on the transition and help you complete your Universal Credit application correctly.
- Meet the Deadline: Once you receive your Migration Notice, you must claim Universal Credit within the three-month window to secure your payments and the vital Transitional Protection.
The DWP’s goal is not to cut off support but to modernise the system. By understanding the specific benefits that are ending and the mandatory steps for migration, claimants can navigate this transition smoothly and ensure their financial continuity well into 2026 and beyond.
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