Benefits news: page 9
- September 2024
DWP to contact remaining tax credit, Income Support, JSA and housing benefit claimants by September 2024
The Department for Work and Pensions plans to contact 440,000 mixed tax credit households and all Income Support, income-based JSA and housing benefit claimants by September 2024 as managed migration continues.
ESA to UC managed migration underway with completion brought forward to 2026
Employment and Support Allowance claimants have begun moving to Universal Credit, with the Department for Work and Pensions now planning to complete the transfer by 2026 rather than 2028.
Expanded free hours childcare subsidy scheme scheduled to start in England
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation's 2024 Minimum Income Standard reports that expanded free hours childcare is scheduled for September 2024 and September 2025, with the scheme's availability uncertain.
Free childcare extended to eligible working parents of children from 9 months to two years
From September 2024 eligible working parents in England with children aged nine months to two years can access 15 hours of government-funded childcare a week, the next stage of a phased expansion.
Household Support Fund extended until September 2024 with extra £500 million
The Household Support Fund received an extra £500 million so it could be extended until September 2024, with the government confirming a further six-month extension in September 2024.
Managed migration opens to income-based Jobseekers Allowance claimants
People claiming income-based Jobseekers Allowance are being sent Migration Notices from September 2024, inviting them to claim Universal Credit as the legacy benefit ends.
PAWHP eligibility restricted to pensioners on qualifying benefits for winter 2024/25
Scottish Ministers have restricted Pension Age Winter Heating Payment eligibility for winter 2024/25 to pensioners receiving qualifying benefits, after the UK Government ended universal Winter Fuel Payment eligibility.
Pension age Tax Credits recipients begin Universal Credit migration notices
People above State Pension age who receive Tax Credits began receiving migration notices in September 2024, asking them to apply for Universal Credit or Pension Credit.
Pension Age Winter Heating Payment to replace Winter Fuel Payment in Scotland from winter 2024
The Pension Age Winter Heating Payment replaces the Winter Fuel Payment in Scotland from winter 2024, paying £200 or £300 to pensioners on relevant benefits, with the DWP delivering it this winter.
September 2024 survey shows rise in arrears among Universal Credit residents
A National Housing Federation survey of housing associations found total rent arrears on Universal Credit claimants' accounts rose 11 per cent to £63m in September 2024, while arrears for residents paying by other means fell 19 per cent to £25m.
Universal Credit rollout invites income-based Jobseekers Allowance claimants
People claiming income-based Jobseekers Allowance are being invited to move to Universal Credit from September 2024, the latest group in the managed migration of legacy benefits.
Working-age benefits to rise 1.7% and pension-age benefits 4.1% from April 2025
Working-age benefits will rise by 1.7% and pension-age benefits by 4.1% from April 2025, the Budget confirmed, while Local Housing Allowance and the benefit cap are frozen again.
- August 2024
Carer Support Payment launches in seven further areas
Carer Support Payment opened for new applications in seven more Scottish council areas on 19 August 2024, ahead of national rollout, with official figures later showing 48,090 applications by 31 March 2026.
Latest DWP Move to UC statistics released
DWP figures released on 13 August 2024 show 34.4% of people sent a migration notice did not claim Universal Credit in time, as notices shift from Tax Credit to DWP benefit claimants.
Qualifying date for automatic Warm Home Discount rebate set
Households receiving Pension Credit or certain means-tested benefits on 11 August 2024 qualify for the automatic £150 Warm Home Discount rebate on electricity bills in winter 2024/25.
PLP sends pre-action letter to DWP on behalf of Work Rights Centre over automated Universal Credit systems
The Public Law Project has sent a pre-action letter to the Department for Work and Pensions on behalf of the Work Rights Centre, raising eight potential grounds of challenge over automated decision-making in Universal Credit.
- July 2024
Healthy Start extension application guidance first published
The Department of Health and Social Care has published guidance setting out who can apply for the extended Healthy Start scheme and how applications are made.
Winter Fuel Payment announcement linked payments to Pension Credit
Linking Winter Fuel Payment to Pension Credit from 29 July 2024 drove a surge in claims, and official figures published in February 2026 show applications falling back a year later.
Government announces winter fuel payment means-test
The government announced in July 2024 that it plans to scrap the winter fuel payment for millions of pensioners who do not claim means-tested benefits, with some needing to claim Pension Credit to keep it.
UK Government restricts eligibility for Winter Fuel Payments
The UK government's restriction of Winter Fuel Payment eligibility has forced Scottish ministers to mirror the approach in the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, limiting help to pensioners on certain benefits.
Managed migration opens to Housing Benefit only claimants and ESA (income-related) with Child Tax Credits claimants
From July 2024, people in Northern Ireland claiming Housing Benefit only, and those claiming income-related Employment and Support Allowance with Child Tax Credits, start receiving Migration Notices.
Scottish Government introduces Pension Age Winter Heating Payment
The Scottish Government used devolved powers to introduce a Pension Age Winter Heating Payment for 2024/25, replacing the Winter Fuel Payment in Scotland after the UK government restricted eligibility in England and Wales.
Universal Credit rollout invites Housing Benefit only and ESA(IR) with Child Tax Credit claimants
People claiming Housing Benefit only and people claiming Child Tax Credit with income-related Employment and Support Allowance were invited to move to Universal Credit from July 2024, as the next phase of managed migration began.
Winter Fuel Payment announcement linked to Pension Credit receipt
The July 2024 decision to link Winter Fuel Payments to Pension Credit drove a surge in claims, and from winter 2025 higher earners must repay the payment through tax.
- June 2024
Tax credit closure regime for state pension age claimants comes into force
Regulations closing tax credits for claimants over state pension age came into force on 8 June 2024, moving working tax credit claimants to universal credit and child tax credit claimants to pension credit.
June 2024 survey records £57m of arrears on Universal Credit tenants' accounts
The National Housing Federation's quarterly survey for June 2024 recorded £57m of rent arrears on Universal Credit tenants' accounts, with 51% of residents paying by Universal Credit in arrears.
Online application service introduced for Social Fund Budgeting Loans in Great Britain
The Department for Work and Pensions has introduced an online application process for Social Fund Budgeting Loans in Great Britain, with Northern Ireland claimants still required to apply by post.
Universal Credit rollout invites Income Support claimants
People claiming Income Support were due to be invited to move to Universal Credit in June 2024, the next stage of the managed migration of legacy benefit claimants.
- May 2024
Managed Migration rollout extended to Tax Credits claimants with Housing Benefit
Managed migration to Universal Credit opened to Tax Credits claimants with Housing Benefit from 13 May 2024, with further legacy benefit groups in Northern Ireland invited through to September 2024.
Universal Credit rollout invites tax credit claimants with Housing Benefit
Northern Ireland's next phase of Universal Credit migration began on 13 May 2024, inviting people who claim Tax Credits together with Housing Benefit to move to the new benefit.