Key dates for universal credit and benefit changes in 2025

The government is planning some big changes to the benefit system in 2025.  

If you’re claiming universal credit or other benefits, here’s what you should know.  

31 March – household support fund ends  

The household support fund, which helps vulnerable households cover the costs of essentials like food and energy, will end on 31 March 2025.  

The fund is provided through local councils and has been extended five times since it was introduced in 2021.  

Check with your council to see if you can get support before it ends. 

5 April – tax credits scrapped  

Tax credits will be fully replaced by universal credit. The government has been gradually phasing out ‘legacy benefits,’ including tax credits, housing benefit, income support, jobseeker’s allowance and income-related employment and support allowance, moving claimants onto universal credit.  

If you receive tax credits, you only have until this date to move to universal credit before the benefit ends.   

Those affected are being sent a ‘migration notice’ by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), who are urging people to respond so they continue to receive support.   

If you’re worried you might be missing out on benefits, we can check you’re claiming everything you’re entitled to. Get in touch, or try our benefits calculator.  

5 April - state pension top-up deadline   

If you have gaps in your national insurance record, you can buy back years to go towards your state pension.  

Your national insurance record determines how much state pension you get and you need 35 years of contributions or credits to get the full amount.  

 If you have any gaps between 2006-2016, you’ll need to be quick.  

After 5 April, you’ll only be able to top up six tax years from 2019. 

6 April – state pension rise  

Millions will see a rise of £472 in their state pension, as part of the triple lock guarantee, which guarantees payments rise in line with wages, inflation or 2.5% - whichever is highest.  

7 April – benefits rise 

Benefits and universal credit will rise by 1.7%. The increase was confirmed by the chancellor Rachel Reeves in the autumn budget, when a number of positive steps were announced.  

April – carer’s allowance rise  

One positive announcement in the budget was an increase in the carer’s allowance. If you’re a carer, you’ll now be able to earn over £10,000 a year while still receiving carer’s allowance – the equivalent of being paid 16 hours at the national living wage per week.   

However, be careful: if your income goes over this amount, you could lose all your benefits, as even a £1 overpayment might result in having to pay back the entire allowance.  

This has affected about one in five claimants, causing a lot of financial stress.  

September – free childcare rollout completed  

The government’s free childcare scheme for working parents will be fully rolled out, offering 30 hours of free childcare a week for children under five.  

Parents should apply before the start of the term when their child will be eligible.  

The government website has details of the deadlines to apply for each age group.  

November – winter fuel payments in Scotland replaced  

In Scotland, winter fuel payments will be replaced with the pension age winter heating payment, as part of the UK government’s transferral of benefits to Social Security Scotland. 

From 2025, eligible older people will receive £200 or £300, depending on their age, while all other pensioners will get £100. 

December – all managed migration notices sent out 

By December, all managed migration notices will have been sent as part of the transition to universal credit. Keep an eye out for a ‘universal credit migration notice’ from DWP.  

If you need help during the transition from legacy benefits to universal credit, reach out to DWP. They’re there to assist you.