Universal Credit’s rollout has officially ended, with income-related Employment and Support Allowance and working-age Housing Benefit closing for most claimants on 30 June 2026.
What The DWP Has Confirmed
The Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed that its move to Universal Credit scheme is now complete. Claimants of all six legacy benefits have gradually moved to Universal Credit since 2023. Wednesday marked the final phase, with income-related Employment and Support Allowance and Housing Benefit brought to an end. Sir Stephen Timms, minister for social security and disability, said the completion marks a major milestone, according to a statement he gave to The Independent, noting nearly two million people had moved to Universal Credit from legacy benefits. The full announcement is available through Yahoo Finance UK. Yahoo!
Which Benefits Have Closed
Two benefits have now ended as part of this final phase: income-related Employment and Support Allowance and working-age Housing Benefit. Other benefits that were part of the wider migration include child tax credit, working tax credit, income support, and income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance. These earlier benefits closed in previous phases of the rollout. According to the DWP, other payments considered legacy benefits include child tax credit, working tax credit, income support, and income-based jobseeker’s allowance, all of which fed into the same migration scheme. Details on each closed benefit are listed on GB News. GB News
Who Is Still Protected
Not everyone loses Housing Benefit under this change. People living in supported accommodation or temporary accommodation can still receive it through separate arrangements. According to DWP figures, housing benefit continues for approximately 1.6 million claimants, primarily those living in temporary accommodation or who have reached state pension age. This means pensioners and people in specific housing situations are not affected by the closure. Full details on these exceptions are covered by GB News. GB News
The Numbers Behind The Migration
The scale of this migration has been large. Official figures show a high number of households were contacted and moved onto Universal Credit before the final deadline. According to official statistics published in May 2026, 2,353,319 people in 1,822,374 households had received Migration Notices by the end of March 2026, and 1,580,239 of those households had made a Universal Credit claim. This data is published through London Business Insider. Londonbusinessinsider
What Happens If You Missed The Deadline
Claimants who do not respond to a Migration Notice by their deadline risk losing their existing payments. According to official statistics, 87% of households sent Migration Notices by the end of March 2026 had claimed Universal Credit, while around 13% had not claimed and had their legacy benefit claims closed. Anyone unsure about their situation should contact the DWP directly or seek independent benefits advice. This guidance is detailed by London Business Insider. Londonbusinessinsider
Special Cases And Extra Support
A small number of claimants needed extra time due to personal circumstances. According to the DWP, around 500 claimants who needed extra assistance through a personal or corporate acting body were temporarily exempted from the June 2026 closure deadline while suitable arrangements were established. The DWP has said this exemption is temporary, and a final closure date for these cases will be confirmed later. This update is available through London Business Insider. Londonbusinessinsider
Reaction To The Change
The end of the migration scheme has drawn mixed reactions. While the government has called the shift a success, some welfare groups have raised concerns about people who struggled with the transition. According to welfare experts who criticised the scheme, the DWP’s three-month deadline system for claimants to transfer or risk losing payments fails to accommodate all individuals. This criticism is reported by GB News. GB News
Quick Reference Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Closure Date | 30 June 2026 |
| Benefits Closed | Income-related ESA, working-age Housing Benefit |
| Earlier Closures | Income Support, income-based JSA, tax credits |
| People Moved To UC | Nearly 2 million |
| Households Sent Migration Notices | 1,822,374 |
| Households That Claimed UC | 1,580,239 |
| Exempted Claimants | Around 500, temporary exemption |
This summary is based on figures reported by London Business Insider and GB News.
