The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is phasing out six legacy benefits, with recipients warned to take action to avoid losing payments. The managed migration to Universal Credit, which began in 2013, is accelerating, aiming to complete the transition by March 2026.
Full-scale managed migration started in April 2023 and is expanding across Great Britain. The six benefits being phased out include Tax Credits, which will close in April 2025. Claimants must respond to migration notices within three months to continue receiving support.
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and ESA with Housing Benefit are also affected. The DWP brought forward the migration of around 800,000 claimants from 2028/29 to 2025. Notices began in September 2024, with all such claimants expected to be notified by December 2025.
The DWP plans to complete the rollout and close all legacy benefits by March 2026. Claimants are urged to act promptly upon receiving a migration notice to ensure uninterrupted payments.
