Benefits news in 2026
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- October 2026
New Housing Benefit earned income disregards due to come into force
The Department for Work and Pensions has laid corrective regulations so that new Housing Benefit earned income disregards for claimants in specified or temporary accommodation take effect as planned on 5 October 2026.
Scottish application window opens for broader group
Scottish households receiving means-tested benefits that do not qualify them automatically for the Warm Home Discount can apply through their energy supplier from October 2026.
Warm Home Discount scheme to reopen in Autumn 2026
Ofgem says the Warm Home Discount will reopen in Autumn 2026, with £150 rebates paid to eligible households in England, Scotland and Wales during the 2026 to 2027 scheme year.
- September 2026
Healthy Start weekly payments rise to £4.65 and £9.30 and application rules updated
Government guidance updated on 24 September 2026 confirms Healthy Start weekly payments of £4.65 per child under four and £9.30 per child under one, with new application and evidence rules.
Funded employment scheme extension added to universal credit reclaims rule
Regulations laid before Parliament insert new paragraphs into the universal credit claims and payments rules from 22 September 2026, extending a funded employment scheme to reclaims.
Winter Fuel Payment 2026 opt-out deadline
The deadline to opt out of the Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2026/27 falls on 20 September 2026, with claims for the payment opening the following day and qualifying week running from 21 to 27 September.
Annual eligibility checks for free school meals begin from the 2026/27 school year
Free school meals eligibility in England will be checked every year from the 2026/27 school year, ahead of the October census, alongside an expansion of eligibility from September 2026.
Crisis and Resilience Fund rolled out across local authorities
The Crisis and Resilience Fund, which replaced the Household Support Fund in April 2026, has now been rolled out across local authorities in England, according to Turn2us.
Free school meal eligibility expanded in England
Free school meals in England are extended from September 2026 to all pupils in households receiving Universal Credit, removing the £7,400 net earnings cap and adding an estimated 500,000 children.
Winter Fuel Payment replaced in Scotland by Pension Age Winter Heating Payment
The Winter Fuel Payment no longer applies in Scotland, where it has been replaced by the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, with rates of up to £316.70 for winter 2026/27.
- August 2026
Deadline to extend Child Benefit for 16 to 19-year-olds in education or training
Parents of 16 to 19-year-olds continuing in approved education or training must extend their Child Benefit claim by 31 August or payments stop automatically, HMRC has said.
Co-chair update on the Timms Review of PIP published
The Department for Work and Pensions and Sir Stephen Timms have published a co-chair update on the progress of the Timms Review of Personal Independence Payment, dated 12 August 2026.
Eligibility statement for Warm Home Discount 2026 to 2027 published
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has published the Warm Home Discount eligibility statement for England and Wales for the 2026 to 2027 scheme year, setting out who qualifies.
Free school meals eligibility expands in England to all families on Universal Credit
Free school meals in England are now open to all families on Universal Credit from the start of this term, with government estimates suggesting an extra 500,000 children qualify.
Housing Benefit migration to Universal Credit under way
Housing Benefit is being replaced by Universal Credit, with the Department for Work and Pensions sending migration notices that set a deadline to apply, and new claims restricted to pensioners and some supported housing.
- July 2026
Timms Review Interim Report finds PIP no longer fit for purpose
The Timms Review's interim report, published in July 2026, found Personal Independence Payment no longer fit for purpose, and disabled people are now being invited to help shape its final recommendations.
Housing Benefit earned income disregard regulations laid
The government has laid corrective regulations to fix errors in the 2026 Housing Benefit earned income disregard rules, so the higher disregards still take effect from 5 October 2026.
Benefit rates for 2026-27 take effect
Age UK has published the benefit rates in force for 2026-27, covering the State Pension, Pension Credit, disability and carer's payments, bereavement benefits and working-age benefits.
- June 2026
Supporting evidence threshold set to £155.00 per month for July to September 2026
The Accountant in Bankruptcy has set the supporting evidence threshold used in Scottish debt solutions at £155.00 per month for the period from 1 July to 30 September 2026.
New PIP award duration rules extended to existing caseload
The Department for Work and Pensions has extended its changed Personal Independence Payment award durations to the existing caseload from 16 June 2026, alongside statistics showing four million claimants in England and Wales.
Claimants can now object to landlords' requests to recover rent and service charge arrears from UC payments
Universal Credit claimants can now object to a landlord's request to recover rent and service charge arrears from their benefit payment, under guidance updated by the Department for Work and Pensions on 10 June 2026.
Right to try rules come into effect
Rules meaning that trying work or volunteering will not trigger an unplanned review of PIP, universal credit or new style ESA came into effect on 2 June 2026.
Applications open for free school meals for the start of the autumn term
Applications for free school meals open on 1st June 2026 for the autumn term, ahead of an expansion in England from September 2026 that is expected to add around 500,000 eligible children.
- May 2026
New law makes benefit discrimination by private landlords and letting agents illegal
A law in force from 1 May 2026 makes it illegal for private landlords and letting agents in Scotland to refuse tenants because they receive benefits or have children.
Pension Credit claims with Unfulfilled Eligibility rise
The share of Pension Credit claims with Unfulfilled Eligibility rose to 13 in 100 in the financial year ending 2026, from 10 in 100 the year before, a statistically significant increase.
Universal Credit caseload reaches record 8.4 million people
The number of people on Universal Credit reached 8.4 million in May 2026, the highest since the benefit began in 2013 and up from 7.7 million a year earlier.
Warm Home Discount (Scotland) Scheme continued to 31 March 2031
The Warm Home Discount (Scotland) Scheme has been continued to 31 March 2031 under regulations made on 30 April 2026 and in force from 1 May 2026.
- April 2026
Warm Home Discount (Scotland) Regulations 2026 signed and consented
The Warm Home Discount (Scotland) Regulations 2026 were signed on 29 April 2026, continuing the Scottish scheme with a £150 rebate and a scheme period running to 31st March 2031.
HMRC publishes Child Benefit take-up statistics showing record low
HMRC estimates show Child Benefit was claimed for 87% of eligible children in May 2025, the lowest take-up since the statistics began in 2003 and ten points below the 2012 peak.
Benefit rates uprated for 2026
Universal Credit, Pension Credit and most other benefits are uprated on 13 April 2026, while Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction change earlier in April under separate timetables.
Equality screening published for Northern Ireland two child limit consequential amendments regulations
The Department for Communities has published an equality screening of the Northern Ireland regulations that accompany the removal of the two child limit in Universal Credit, and has decided against a full EQIA.
Maximum UC debt deduction amounts updated for April 2026
Shelter has published the maximum amounts that can be deducted from Universal Credit standard allowance for debt from April 2026, with limits ranging from £51 to £100 a month by claim type.
Paternity leave becomes a day one right for employees
Paternity leave became a day one employment right on 6 April 2026, with the previous qualifying period removed and a rule that removed entitlement on taking shared parental leave scrapped.
Pension Credit toolkit updated with 2026 to 2027 benefit and pension figures
The Department for Work and Pensions has updated its Pension Credit toolkit with benefit and pension figures for 2026 to 2027, in English and Welsh, adding new posters and YouTube videos.
New tax year changes take effect from Monday
The new tax year begins on Monday 6 April 2026 with frozen thresholds, the lifting of the two child limit, and day one rights to statutory sick pay and unpaid parental leave.
New UC and ESA IR rates come into operation in Northern Ireland
New regulations setting Universal Credit and income-related Employment and Support Allowance rates for Northern Ireland come into operation on 6 April 2026, in parity with the equivalent Great Britain instrument.
Winter Heating Payment replaces Cold Weather Payment in Scotland
The Winter Heating Payment has replaced the Cold Weather Payment in Scotland, paying £62 automatically to people on qualifying benefits between December and February.
2026/27 DLA and CDP child rates published
The 2026/27 rates for the care and mobility components of Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Payment have been published, with weekly care payments of up to £114.60.
Benefit cap earnings threshold raised to £881
The monthly earnings threshold at which households escape the benefit cap rose to £881 from April 2026, up from £846, under Universal Credit rules that also changed disability and work allowance amounts.
Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods rates updated from April 2026
Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods rates in Scotland rise from April 2026, with the Pregnancy and Baby Payment at £796.65 for a first child and £398.35 for each subsequent child.
Carer Support Payment replaces Carer's Allowance in Scotland
Carer Support Payment has replaced Carer's Allowance in Scotland and is now available across the country, with three further payments for carers also in place.
Certain Universal Credit and ESA rates handled under separate legislation
The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2026 sets most State Pension and benefit rates for April 2026, while certain Universal Credit and ESA rates are handled separately.
Crisis and Resilience Fund launched as successor to Household Support Fund
The Crisis and Resilience Fund opened in April 2026 as the replacement for the Household Support Fund in England, running until March 2029 with crisis payments and resilience support from local councils.
DHPs in England incorporated into the Crisis and Resilience Fund
Discretionary Housing Payments in England were incorporated into the Crisis and Resilience Fund from April 2026, with the DWP confirming DHP statistics will continue as a Wales-only series.
Discretionary Housing Payments become CRF Housing Payments in England
Discretionary Housing Payments in England have been folded into the Crisis and Resilience Fund and renamed CRF Housing Payments from 1 April 2026, under a scheme funded for three years.
Guidance updated and Discretionary Housing Payments information removed
The Department for Work and Pensions has updated its Housing Benefit rent factsheet, removing Discretionary Housing Payments information and pointing claimants to their local council instead.
LHA rates frozen for 2026 to 2027
Local Housing Allowance rates used to work out housing support for private renters will stay at their 2025 to 2026 levels for the year from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027.
Non dependant deduction rates from April 2026
Shelter has published the weekly housing benefit deductions councils can take from claimants who share a home with other adults, ranging from £20.40 to £131.45 from April 2026.
Pension Age Disability Payment fully rolled out in Scotland as replacement for Attendance Allowance
Pension Age Disability Payment has replaced Attendance Allowance in Scotland, with awards transferred automatically from the Department for Work and Pensions to Social Security Scotland.
New PIP award durations take effect for people aged 25 or over
Most new PIP awards to people aged 25 or over are now for four years with a review after three, and the same durations apply to existing claims from 16 June 2026.
PIP and DLA rates up-rated from April 2026
The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2026 raises Personal Independence Payment and Disability Living Allowance weekly rates from April, with the daily living enhanced rate reaching £114.60.
Scottish income limit for free school meals takes effect from 1st April 2026
The household income limit for Universal Credit claimants applying for free school meals in Scotland rises to £11,940 a year, or £995 a month, from 1st April 2026.
SDP transitional element rates set from April 2026
The SDP transitional element rates paid to some Universal Credit claimants who moved from legacy benefits will be £148.82, £353.44 or £502.27 a month from April 2026.
ShPP rate and earnings threshold set for April 2026 to April 2027
Statutory Shared Parental Pay will be £194.32 a week or 90% of average earnings, whichever is lower, with a £129 weekly earnings test, for April 2026 to April 2027.
Social security benefits uprated by 3.8%
Social security benefits across the UK rise by 3.8% from April 2026, alongside a 4.8% state pension increase, Universal Credit changes and the end of legacy benefits.
State Pension age begins rising from 66 to 67
The State Pension age is rising from 66 to 67 on a phased basis between April 2026 and March 2028, with the exact date set by date of birth.
Surplus earnings figures for 2026/27 set out
Turn2us has published the Universal Credit element amounts, work allowances and thresholds used to calculate surplus earnings for 2026/27, setting out how earlier months of earnings can reduce or stop payments.
Third party deduction amounts change from April 2026
Third party deductions from universal credit, taken to repay energy, water and council tax debts, are set at new monthly amounts from April 2026, ranging from £17 to £33 depending on age and household type.
UC Health support for new claimants to halve from April 2026
New Universal Credit health claimants will receive £54 a week from April 2026, half the £105 a week paid to people with the same condition in March 2026, the Work and Pensions Committee has said.
Uprated council tax reduction figures apply from schemes beginning on or after 1 April 2026
Welsh ministers have laid regulations uprating council tax reduction figures and adding new disregards, applying to council tax reduction schemes made for financial years beginning on or after 1 April 2026.
Warm Home Discount scheme proposed to continue from 2026/27 to 2030/31
The government has proposed continuing the Warm Home Discount for five more years from winter 2026 to 2027, with options for Scotland including automatic data matching.
- March 2026
Legacy benefits end as managed migration completes
Legacy benefits ended on 31 March 2026 after the managed migration process to Universal Credit was completed, with claims closed and claimants invited to apply for the newer benefit.
Current Warm Home Discount regulations end on 31 March 2026
The regulations underpinning the Warm Home Discount end on 31 March 2026, and replacement rules for England and Wales have been made to run the scheme to 2031.
Scottish social security up-rating regulations made
The Scottish Ministers have made two sets of regulations uprating Scottish social security payments, including Scottish child payment, disability and carer benefits, with most increases taking effect from 6 April 2026.
GB consequential regulations made and laid
The Social Security (Removal of Two Child Limit) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2026 were made and laid before Parliament on 19 March 2026, coming into force on 6 April 2026.
Timms Review call for evidence launched
The Timms Review steering group opened a ten-week call for evidence on Personal Independence Payment on 19 March 2026, inviting views on the role and purpose of PIP, assessment, decision-making and the claimant experience.
Royal Assent granted to the Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill
The Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Act 2026 received Royal Assent on 18 March 2026, removing the two child limit on the child element for assessment periods starting on or after 6 April 2026.
Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2026 made
The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2026, made on 2 March 2026, raises state pensions and benefits and sets new statutory pay rates, with most changes taking effect in April 2026.
Break and bereavement improvements to Carer Support Payment introduced
Social Security Scotland has confirmed that Carer Support Payment changes introduced in March 2026 removed the set caring period for temporary breaks and extended bereavement support to 12 weeks.
Broader Group application process in Scotland proposed for replacement by data matching from winter 2026/27
Consumer Scotland has backed replacing the application-based Broader Group in Scotland with automatic data matching from winter 2026/27, warning that some previous recipients could lose the Warm Home Discount.
DWP launches Timms Review into PIP
The Department for Work and Pensions launched the Timms Review of Personal Independence Payment in March 2026, covering its purpose, eligibility and the claiming experience, with evidence closing on 28 May 2026.
ESA caseload falls 39% as claimants move to Universal Credit
Employment and Support Allowance claimants fell 39.0% to 810,000 between February 2025 and March 2026, as the Department for Work and Pensions reported the move to Universal Credit is close to being complete.
Government announces £53m support for heating oil customers in vulnerable situations
The government announced £53m in March 2026 to help heating oil customers in vulnerable situations, with support delivered differently in each UK nation and a £9,000 heat pump grant opening in July.
Household Support Fund extended to end of March 2026
The Household Support Fund, a government-funded cost-of-living scheme run by local councils, is running until the end of March 2026 after being extended in the Spring Budget.
Housing Benefit claims fall 23.2% to 1.4 million
Housing Benefit claims fell 23.2 per cent to 1.4 million between February 2025 and March 2026, as the Department for Work and Pensions moves working age claimants onto Universal Credit.
Legacy benefit payments due to end by 31 March 2026
The remaining legacy benefits are due to end by 31 March 2026, with claimants told to move to universal credit by the deadline in their migration letter or see payments stop.
Managed migration to be completed by Spring 2026
The DWP has said all migration notices should be sent by the end of December 2025 and the managed migration process completed by Spring 2026, with income-related Employment and Support Allowance claimants last to move.
- February 2026
Evaluation report on managed migration from tax credits to Universal Credit published
The Department for Work and Pensions has published an evaluation of households receiving tax credits only who were invited to move to Universal Credit, covering the period up to April 2025.
DWP begins Automated claimant reviews of Universal Credit claims
The Department for Work and Pensions has started selecting Universal Credit claims for Automated claimant reviews, which can occur at any time and may lead to payments being stopped if claimants do not respond.
DWP publishes Move to UC statistics to end December 2025
The Department for Work and Pensions has published figures showing 2,352,886 individuals were sent migration notices between July 2022 and December 2025, with 356,521 not claiming Universal Credit and having legacy claims closed.
Living Standards Outlook 2026 published
The Resolution Foundation forecasts typical non-pensioner incomes will grow 1.2 per cent in 2026-27, with lower-income families seeing gains of 4.7 per cent as benefit uprating and the two-child limit change take effect.
Minister commits to accept Benefit Fraud and Error Task and Finish Group recommendations
Northern Ireland's Communities Minister has accepted the Benefit Fraud and Error Task and Finish Group's recommendations, pledging around 200 extra staff and a new advertising campaign.
Funeral Support Payment eligibility widened by around 40%
A new nearest relative eligibility test for Scotland's Funeral Support Payment is expected to widen eligibility by around 40 per cent, reaching an estimated 5,000 people each year.
- January 2026
Government confirms Warm Home Discount Scheme will continue for five years to 2030/31
The Government has confirmed the Warm Home Discount will run for a further five years from 2026/27 to 2030/31, merging the two Core Groups in England and Wales and expanding data-matched eligibility in Scotland.
Government responds to Warm Home Discount consultation without increasing the £150 rebate
The Government has published its response to the Warm Home Discount consultation, extending the scheme to 2031 but leaving the £150 rebate unchanged and eligibility rules as they are.
Universal Credit LHA rates 2026 to 2027 published
The Department for Work and Pensions has published Universal Credit Local Housing Allowance rates for England, Scotland and Wales covering April 2026 to March 2027, with a date error corrected in April.
Legislative Consent Memorandum laid for Universal Credit two-child limit removal Bill
The Minister for Communities has laid a legislative consent memorandum asking the Northern Ireland Assembly to agree that the Universal Credit two-child limit removal Bill extends to Northern Ireland.
MPs to question DWP officials amid complaints controversy
The Work and Pensions Committee will question Department for Work and Pensions officials on 16 January 2026 about paused remedial actions, carers allowance overpayment debts and the department's annual reports and accounts.
Household Support Fund replaced by Crisis and Resilience Fund
Official guidance on Cost of Living Payments now points households to the Crisis and Resilience Fund, after the Household Support Fund was replaced in an update published on 1 April 2026.
Consumer Scotland opposes moving Warm Home Discount costs to the unit rate
Consumer Scotland has told the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero that the cost of the Warm Home Discount should stay on the standing charge rather than move to the unit rate.
PIP waiting times reach 20 weeks, highest in almost four years
Average waits for a new Personal Independence Payment decision have reached 20 weeks, the longest in almost four years, with more than 710,000 people waiting for an outcome as of January 2026.