The Department for Work and Pensions has officially closed Income Related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Housing Benefit for most working households, following the completion of the migration to Universal Credit. This marks the end of two major legacy benefits as part of the government's long-running welfare reform.
Migration completed for nearly two million claimants
The DWP confirmed that the transfer of all remaining claimants from these benefits to Universal Credit has been finalised. Earlier this year, the department announced it would move claimants of Income Related ESA and Housing Benefit to the single payment system. This follows the earlier migration of Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit, and Jobseeker's Allowance, resulting in nearly two million people being transferred to Universal Credit.
Sir Stephen Timms, Minister for Social Security and Disability, told The Independent: "The successful completion of the move to Universal Credit marks a major milestone, with nearly two million people having now moved on to Universal Credit from legacy benefits, including income-related employment and support allowance and housing benefit, which have now closed for most working households."
What claimants need to know
Citizens Advice explains that anyone still receiving legacy benefits should have received a migration notice by now, as these benefits will end for most people in July 2026. The advice organisation states: "If you get one of these legacy benefits, you'll need to move to Universal Credit if you get a letter telling you to claim by a certain date. This is called a 'migration notice'. You should claim Universal Credit by the date on the letter to keep getting financial support."
Earlier this year, Sir Stephen Timms confirmed the DWP would close the "outdated systems" upon which the benefits were founded. In a written statement, he said: "On 31st March 2026, we completed the transition of customers receiving Income Support and income-based Jobseekers Allowance to Universal Credit, allowing the Department to close these outdated systems. In addition, I am setting out my intention to close income related Employment and Support Allowance and applicable Housing Benefit on 30th June 2026."
Transition support for vulnerable claimants
Timms emphasised the importance of providing sufficient notice and support to vulnerable customers during the transition. He added: "Giving sufficient notice and support to some of our most vulnerable customers was important in enabling everyone who wanted to transition to Universal Credit the time needed to make the move."
