The (DWP) is phasing out some older benefits as part of a major switch to - but not all welfare payments will be affected.
The DWP is moving more than two million people over to Universal Credit. The process is known as with everyone being contacted in stages. This means not everyone will be transferred to Universal Credit at the same time.
When it's your turn to start claiming Universal Credit, you'll be sent a “migration notice” letter in the post which will give you three months to switch to Universal Credit. Your existing benefits will be stopped after this time. The DWP expects to have contacted everyone who is affected by the end of December 2025.
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But which benefits are being stopped under the "managed migration" process? The DWP has published a full list of the welfare payments being switched off. There are six benefits in total that are being replaced by Universal Credit - this includes:
Working Tax Credit
Child Tax Credit
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
Income Support
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Housing Benefit
This means if you claim other benefits, such as Pension Credit, Child Benefit, Personal Independence Payment, Carer's Allowance or Attendance Allowance, your benefit payments will continue as normal. You also won't be asked to move to Universal Credit if you only receive new style benefits, such as New-style Employment and Support Allowance or New-style Jobseeker’s Allowance.
If you claim Tax Credits and are of State Pension age, or are part of a mixed aged couple where one of you is under and the other is above State Pension age, the DWP will ask you to apply for Universal Credit or Pension Credit. The DWP advice also explains how some people will be to continue receive Housing Benefit.
This includes those who are of State Pension age, who live in temporary accommodation provided by a council because you were homeless, or those who live in supported accommodation. You'll be able to keep receiving Housing Benefit if this is the only benefit you currently claim.
Will I be better off on Universal Credit?The DWP claims 1.4million people (55%) will be better off on Universal Credit, and 900,000 (35%) would be worse off. The other 300,000 benefit claimants will see no change. You should use one of the following free benefit calculators to get a rough idea about whether you will be better on Universal Credit:
Once you've used one of these calculators, always seek expert advice first before switching to Universal Credit. Don't rely on just what these calculators tell you, in case you have inputted any information wrong. They will be able to double check your benefit entitlement and tell you if you're better off moving now, or waiting.
You can normally apply for Universal Credit through the . Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit will stop as soon as you put in your Universal Credit claim, but other benefits will carry on for an additional two weeks.
If you are moved over to Universal Credit through managed migration, and you'll be worse off, you will get monthly transition payments to cover any financial shortfall. The transitional protection lasts until there is no difference between the amount awarded under Universal Credit and what you received before under legacy benefits.
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