Income Support Has Ended: What Replaces It and What to Do

No. You can no longer claim Income Support. If you are on a low income and need help to cover your living costs, you can apply for Universal Credit instead. Our Universal Credit calculator gives an estimate of what you could get.

To keep getting financial support, you must claim Universal Credit by the deadline date in your letter. Your old benefits end even if you decide not to claim Universal Credit, and once you claim you cannot go back to them.

If you cannot apply online, you can claim by phone through the same helpline. If you have an appointee, the letter goes to them and they make the Universal Credit claim for you.

DWP says most people will be entitled to the same amount they received from their previous benefits, or more. If what you got on your old benefits is more than you will get on Universal Credit, a top-up called transitional protection is available.

You do not need to apply for the top-up: it is paid automatically if you claim by your deadline date. You will not get transitional protection if you claim before you get a Migration Notice letter.

DWP points to the entitledto and Policy in Practice Better Off calculators, which work out the top-up and take State Pension age into account. They give estimates only.

Income-related Employment and Support Allowance and Housing Benefit are also ending, unless you are in supported or temporary accommodation, in which case your Housing Benefit continues to be paid by your local council. Other benefits, such as Personal Independence Payment, stay the same.

nidirect's Income Support page now leads to its Universal Credit pages, which explain what to do if you get a letter asking you to Move to Universal Credit. Our benefits guides cover the other help you might be able to claim.