The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued an updated statement on the ongoing transition of claimants from legacy benefits to Universal Credit, as the government continues preparations ahead of a key deadline in July 2026. The update was presented in Parliament and focuses on progress, support measures, and remaining cases still undergoing migration.
The migration process is part of a broader reform of the UK welfare system, designed to consolidate multiple older benefits into a single Universal Credit payment. Officials say the objective is to simplify administration and reduce complexity for claimants over time.
Migration
The transition, known as managed migration, involves moving claimants from legacy benefits such as Income Support, Housing Benefit, and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) onto Universal Credit.
Claimants are issued a formal migration notice, which sets out a deadline by which a Universal Credit application must be submitted. Failure to respond within the required timeframe can result in disruption to payments.
According to official data, between July 2022 and March 2026, more than 2.35 million individuals across approximately 1.82 million households were issued migration notices. Of these, nearly 2 million people have already submitted Universal Credit claims.
Figures
The latest figures highlight the scale of the ongoing transition:
| Category | Individuals | Households |
|---|---|---|
| Migration notices issued | 2,353,319 | 1,822,374 |
| Claims submitted | 1,992,161 | 1,580,239 |
| Still pending | Not separately stated | Significant minority |
While most claimants have responded, officials acknowledge that a portion of recipients have yet to complete the process ahead of the next phase of deadlines.
Support
The DWP has reiterated that support is available throughout the migration process. This includes the Move to Universal Credit Helpline and Help to Claim services delivered by Citizens Advice, which assist individuals with applications and account management.
Minister of State Sir Stephen Timms stated that transitional protection is also available. This ensures that where a claimant’s Universal Credit entitlement would be lower than their previous benefits, their payments are protected at the point of transfer.
Additional support is being provided for more vulnerable groups, including some ESA claimants. This may include enhanced contact, tailored assistance, and visiting officer support where appropriate.
Exemptions
The department has also confirmed that in certain cases, exemptions may be applied. This includes individuals who require a personal or corporate appointee but do not yet have arrangements in place ahead of ESA-related deadlines.
Officials have clarified that such exemptions are temporary measures and do not alter the overall policy direction. A final closure date for these cases will be confirmed in due course.
Timeline
The DWP previously announced that income-related ESA and some Housing Benefit claims for working-age individuals would end on June 30 as part of the final phase of migration. That deadline was later extended in March to allow additional time for claimants to respond to notices.
Despite adjustments to timing, the overall transition to Universal Credit remains on track, with July 2026 highlighted as a key milestone in the broader rollout schedule.
Outlook
Universal Credit is gradually replacing six legacy benefits as part of a long-term restructuring of the welfare system. The government states that the aim is to streamline payments into a single monthly system designed to support both income stability and employment transitions.
Citizens Advice notes that most legacy benefits are expected to end by July 2026 and advises claimants to respond promptly to migration notices to avoid gaps in payments. Individuals who have not yet received a notice are encouraged to contact the DWP for guidance.
The migration process is expected to continue in stages until all remaining legacy cases have been transferred.
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FAQs
What is the DWP migration update about?
It concerns the ongoing transfer of legacy benefits to Universal Credit.
When is the key deadline?
The current key period is around July 2026.
What happens if someone does not respond?
They risk delays or interruptions in benefit payments.
Is support available during migration?
Yes, including DWP helplines and Citizens Advice support services.
Are some claimants exempt?
Yes, in specific vulnerable or administrative cases, temporarily.
