DWP letters to be sent out as end date for six benefits confirmed

The Government has unveiled the timeline for phasing out six benefits as it transitions fully to Universal Credit. Six existing legacy benefits are being discontinued with recipients being prompted to submit their applications to ensure uninterrupted financial support.

Staggered migration notices to Universal Credit are being dispatched, urging individuals to apply within a specified timeframe or face losing the payouts.

Social security chief Sir Stephen Timms addressed Parliament, revealing that since 2022, around 943,000 households have been alerted about the switch to the new system.

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Those currently on income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) are the final batch awaiting migration.

Sir Stephen said: "DWP will steadily increase the number of migration notices being sent to people receiving ESA over the next months and are aiming to issue 63,000 migration notices each month from February, sending the final notices in early December 2025 and fully moving people to Universal Credit and closing legacy benefits by the end of March 2026."

He further disclosed ambitions to "formally close" the switch to Universal Credit by the end of March 2025.

Here are the six benefits being replaced by Universal Credit:

• Income-based Jobseekers Allowance

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

• Income Support

• Housing Benefit

• Child Tax Credit

• Working Tax Credit

Sir Stephen highlighted the advantages of switching to Universal Credit, saying: "Universal Credit provides greater support and incentives to get people into work and increase the hours they work than the benefits it replaces."

Recent concerns have been voiced regarding new powers to be allotted to DWP investigators, which would enable them to examine the bank account details of claimants suspected of benefit fraud.

As part of Labour's Fraud, Error and Debt Bill, these measures will be implemented, alongside permissions for officials to search properties and confiscate assets in instances where organised criminals are exploiting the welfare system.

Yiannis Zourmpanos, a senior contributor at Bountii, commented on the government's increasing access to personal financial information: "The idea that the Government can peer into your bank account feels invasive, and I understand why. From a financial perspective, this kind of oversight raises ethical issues."

He went on to add: "But remember, it's also a balancing act. The DWP is trying to ensure that public funds are being properly allocated, and they're arguing that the level of fraud demands a tougher stance."

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