The DWP has confirmed that income-related Employment and Support Allowance and Housing Benefit have ended as the final phase of the move to Universal Credit completes. Around two million people have now moved from legacy benefits to Universal Credit. Anyone who receives a migration notice must respond within three months or risk losing support.
TL;DR · LAST REVIEWED Updated 2 July 2026
- Income-related ESA and Housing Benefit have ended as legacy benefit migration completes.
- Around two million people have moved from legacy benefits to Universal Credit.
- Migration notices give claimants three months to respond before old payments stop.
- Transitional protection tops up Universal Credit if it would otherwise pay less.
KEY FACTS
- Six legacy benefits are being phased out: income-related ESA, Housing Benefit, Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit, Income Support, and income-based JSA.
- Around two million people have now moved from legacy benefits to Universal Credit.
- Migration notice letters give claimants three months to begin a Universal Credit claim.
- Housing Benefit continues for around 1.6 million people in temporary accommodation or of State Pension age.
- Transitional protection tops up a Universal Credit award if it would otherwise be lower than the legacy benefit it replaces.
- Transitional protection only applies if the claimant moves by the deadline in their migration notice.
The Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed that income-related Employment and Support Allowance and Housing Benefit have ended for working-age claimants, marking the final phase of the years-long move to Universal Credit. Around two million people have now completed the switch from what the DWP describes as legacy benefits to Universal Credit since the programme restarted.
Which benefits this actually affects
Six benefits in total have been phased out under the migration: income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Housing Benefit, Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit, Income Support, and income-based Jobseeker's Allowance. Anyone already claiming Universal Credit is not affected, since they are already on the replacement system. Housing Benefit does continue for a specific group of around 1.6 million people, primarily those living in temporary accommodation or who have reached State Pension age, so this closure does not apply universally to every Housing Benefit claimant.
What happens if you have not yet moved
Anyone still receiving a legacy benefit should have received a migration notice letter from the DWP, giving three months to begin a Universal Credit claim. If the deadline passes without a claim being started, the old benefit stops roughly two weeks later. Anyone who has missed a deadline, or is struggling to make the move, can ask the DWP to extend it rather than simply losing support.
Transitional protection is available to reduce the risk of a lower payment: if a claimant's new Universal Credit award would otherwise be less than what they received under their legacy benefit, an extra amount is added to make up the difference. This protection only applies if the move happens by the deadline set in the migration notice, so claiming late, even successfully, can mean losing access to this top-up.
Where the criticism has come from
Welfare charities including the Child Poverty Action Group have previously raised concerns that some claimants are missing deadlines and losing income as a result of the migration process, warning of a "hard landing" for people who fall through gaps in the system, particularly those in vulnerable circumstances who may struggle to respond to formal letters within a fixed window.
What to do if you get a migration notice
The DWP's own advice is not to ignore a migration notice letter. Support is available through a dedicated DWP helpline, guidance on GOV.UK, and Citizens Advice's free Help to Claim service. Extra support, including phone calls and home visits, is available for people moving specifically from Employment and Support Allowance, reflecting that this group is more likely to include people with health conditions who may need additional help completing the process.
DISCLAIMER
This article is editorial information, not financial advice. Kael Tripton Ltd is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Figures were correct at the last review date shown above; verify current rates and rules with the primary sources listed below before acting.
Frequently asked questions
Which benefits have ended under the Universal Credit migration?
Income-related ESA and Housing Benefit have now ended for most working-age claimants, alongside the earlier closure of Income Support, income-based JSA, Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit.
Does this affect people already on Universal Credit?
No, only people still claiming one of the six legacy benefits are affected by the migration.
What happens if I miss my migration notice deadline?
Your old benefit stops around two weeks after the deadline. You can ask the DWP to extend the deadline if you are struggling to complete the move.
Will I lose money by moving to Universal Credit?
Transitional protection tops up your Universal Credit if it would otherwise be lower than your old benefit, but only if you move by the deadline in your migration notice.
SOURCES
- GOV.UK: Universal Credit and you – accessed 2 July 2026
