Benefits news: page 10
- 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.
Regulations made abolishing tax credits for state pension age claimants
Regulations made on 7 May 2024 end tax credit awards for claimants who have reached state pension age, moving some to universal credit and others to pension credit with transitional protection.
Administrative Earnings Threshold rise took place in May 2024
The Administrative Earnings Threshold rose in May 2024, a change the Department for Work and Pensions says should be read alongside the shift in Universal Credit conditionality recorded in 2024.
Administrative Earnings Threshold rises to £892 and £1,437 per month
The Administrative Earnings Threshold for Universal Credit rose to £892 a month for single people and £1,437 a month for couples in May 2024, following an earlier April increase.
Annual survey of English Council Tax Reduction schemes for 2024/25 published
entitledto's annual survey of English Council Tax Reduction schemes found 41 of 296 local authorities changed how they calculate support for 2024/25, with more raising help than cutting it.
DWP announces enhanced notification strategy for potential overpayments
The Department for Work and Pensions has announced an enhanced notification strategy for potential benefit overpayments, exploring targeted texts or emails to alert claimants, amid scrutiny of Carer's Allowance repayments.
Managed migration opens to Income Support claimants
People claiming Income Support begin receiving Migration Notices from May 2024, moving them onto Universal Credit under managed migration, with transitional protection for eligible claimants.
- April 2024
Fair Repayment Rate comes into force
The Fair Repayment Rate took effect on 30 April 2024, capping deductions from Universal Credit at 15% of the standard allowance, down from the previous 25% limit.
Publication of estimated claimant numbers affected by Work Capability Assessment reforms
The Department for Work and Pensions has published updated estimates of the number of claimants affected by Work Capability Assessment reforms announced at Autumn Statement 2023, revised to match Spring Budget 2024 forecasts.
Government announces reforms to ill-health test in Universal Credit
The Government has announced reforms to the ill-health test in Universal Credit, as a Resolution Foundation assessment finds 71 per cent of eligible families are worse off in real terms than under the legacy system.
Benefit cap earnings threshold rises to £793 a month
The earnings threshold used to decide whether the benefit cap grace period applies rose from £722 to £793 a month on 8 April 2024, affecting working age claimants who lose work.
Guidance updated with rates effective from 8 April 2024
Government guidance pages for the State Pension, Pension Credit and New Style Employment and Support Allowance were updated with benefit rates effective from 8 April 2024, the April uprating date for that year.
High Income Child Benefit Charge threshold increases to £60,000
The High Income Child Benefit Charge threshold rose from £50,000 to £60,000 on 6 April 2024, with the taper halved so the charge reaches the full Child Benefit amount at £80,000.
15 hours free childcare for working parents of 2-year-olds from April 2024
Working parents of two-year-olds in England can access 15 hours a week of government-funded childcare from 1 April 2024, the first stage of an expansion reaching 30 hours by September 2025.
Administrative Earnings Threshold rises to £743 and £1,189 per month
The Administrative Earnings Threshold for Universal Credit rose to £743 a month for single people and £1,189 a month for couples in April 2024, with a further increase following in May.
Attendance Allowance rates for April 2024 to March 2025
Attendance Allowance pays £72.65 a week at the lower rate and £108.55 a week at the higher rate from April 2024 to March 2025, for people over State Pension age who need help because of disability.
Benefit rates to rise by 6.7% and State Pension and Pension Credit rates by 8.5%
Most benefit rates will rise by 6.7% and State Pension and Pension Credit rates by 8.5% from April 2024, subject to Parliamentary approval, the Government has confirmed.