The Division for Work and Pensions (DWP) confirmed it’s making adjustments to a deliberate date
Tax credit: DWP clarify the best way to declare
Hundreds of profit claimants have been handed a last-minute reprieve after ministers quietly pushed again a key deadline in a sweeping welfare overhaul.
The Division for Work and Pensions (DWP) confirmed it’s extending the cut-off for a few of the most weak households to maneuver off so-called “legacy advantages” and onto Common Credit score, easing fears that individuals may lose very important assist. Officers had beforehand insisted the huge “managed migration” programme – shifting thousands and thousands from older advantages to the newer system – could be accomplished by the tip of March 2026.
However in a major climbdown, the DWP now says some claimants may have till “the tip of the summer season” to make the change. The delay applies to these receiving income-related employment and assist allowance (ESA) and housing profit, with ministers admitting additional time is required to succeed in people who find themselves more durable to contact or face obstacles to claiming.
The Division for Work and Pensions (DWP) confirmed it’s extending the cut-off (Picture: Getty) Private finance information, cash saving ideas and recommendation plus selcted provides and competitions Subscribe Invalid electronic mail
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The division mentioned the transfer varieties a part of its “ongoing dedication to assist and safeguard our most weak clients”. It means hundreds who risked having their funds stopped in the event that they did not act in time will now be given an additional window to switch to Common Credit score.
The migration programme – one of many greatest welfare reforms in a long time – entails shutting down a raft of older advantages, together with working tax credit score, youngster tax credit score, income-based jobseeker’s allowance, revenue assist, ESA and housing profit for working-age households.
To this point, greater than 1.9 million folks have been moved onto common credit score, together with 135,000 claimants beforehand on revenue assist and income-related jobseeker’s allowance. Nonetheless, watchdogs have repeatedly warned the method carries severe dangers.
A 2024 report by the Public Accounts Committee cautioned that failures within the system may result in “real-world distress for hundreds”, with round 4% of claimants anticipated to not efficiently transition.
As the unique deadline loomed, ministers have stepped up assist – together with a devoted helpline and residential visits – to forestall weak folks slipping by means of the cracks.
Social safety and incapacity minister Sir Stephen Timms mentioned: “Our Transfer to Common Credit score marketing campaign has been profitable in transferring over 1.9 million folks from legacy advantages to the trendy common credit score system.
“Weak clients have been on the forefront of this marketing campaign. Of their pursuits, we’re extending the deadline for income-related Employment Help Allowance claimants to maneuver over.
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“This Authorities is dedicated to updating the welfare system in order that it promotes alternative, somewhat than stifling it – as a part of our Plan for Change.
“The marketing campaign means the variety of folks on common credit score has elevated, significantly the quantity of people that obtain the profit with no requirement to search for work, as, since June final yr, the main focus has been on transferring weak folks from Employment and Help Allowance.”
Figures underline the dimensions of the shift
The variety of folks claiming UCt hit 8.34 million in December 2025 – up by practically 1 million from 7.36 million a yr earlier. Greater than three-quarters of that rise was pushed not by new claims, however by current profit recipients being transferred throughout.
Common Credit score has been billed by ministers as a system that higher displays the trendy jobs market and helps folks transfer into work. However the overhaul comes towards the backdrop of rising welfare prices, with additional adjustments due this month.
From April, the well being component of common credit score shall be decreased in a bid to take away what ministers describe as “perverse incentives” and curb welfare dependency – a transfer anticipated to save lots of nearly £1 billion. On the identical time, wider reforms to incapacity advantages have been delayed following political strain.
A significant overview into private independence cost (PIP) – which helps folks with long-term well being circumstances or disabilities – is now underneath means, with any adjustments postponed till after its findings are delivered to Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden within the autumn.
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