DWP Ends Income Support and Income-Related JSA in 2026

The Department for Work and Pensions has ceased payments for Income Support and income-related Jobseeker's Allowance as of April 1, 2026, marking the closure of two legacy benefits in the United Kingdom's ongoing transition to the Universal Credit system.

This move is part of a broader strategy to consolidate six outdated benefits into Universal Credit, a single monthly payment designed to simplify welfare support and better align with modern labor market needs. Several other legacy benefits, including certain elements of Employment and Support Allowance, have already been phased out in recent years. The closures affect claimants who previously received these payments, but the shift is not automatic. Recipients must apply for Universal Credit themselves to avoid disruptions in financial support.

Affected individuals should have received migration notices—letters outlining the steps to transition and providing a strict deadline, typically three months from receipt. Applying by this date qualifies claimants for Transitional Protection, a safeguard that ensures their new Universal Credit amount is at least equal to what they received under the old system. For instance, if a...