Benefits news: page 5
- November 2025
Independent Review of Carer's Allowance Overpayments published with government response
The government has published an independent review into Carer's Allowance earnings-related overpayments, led by Liz Sayce OBE, alongside its response, with a reassessment exercise beginning 13 April 2026.
Public Law Project publishes report on Universal Credit sanctions regime
The Public Law Project published a report on 12 November 2025 titled "Sanctionable Failures", which characterises the Universal Credit sanctions regime as failing and refers to harm it causes.
Winter Fuel Payment eligibility rules changed
Winter Fuel Payment eligibility was widened last winter so that people over State Pension age no longer need to receive a means-tested benefit, with payments recovered from those on incomes above £35,000.
New ADP applications required for remaining PIP claimants in Scotland
People in Scotland still receiving Personal Independence Payment must apply for Adult Disability Payment themselves from 6 November 2025, after Social Security Scotland finished transferring claimants.
Cold Weather Payment 2025 scheme opens
The Cold Weather Payment scheme for 2025 opens in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in November, one of a series of benefit changes listed in a timetable published by Turn2us.
UK government announces removal of the two-child limit
The UK government has announced the two-child limit will be removed from April 2026, so families can receive the Universal Credit child element for all children regardless of family size.
Help to Save made permanent and set for expansion
The Government has confirmed Help to Save will become permanently available to new savers and will be widened from April 2028 to all Universal Credit households receiving the child or carer's element.
LHA failed to cover rent for over half of private renters on Universal Credit in England
Local Housing Allowance did not cover rent for 54% of private renters claiming Universal Credit in England by November 2025, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation has reported.
Pension Age Winter Heating Payment expected to launch in Scotland
Scotland's Pension Age Winter Heating Payment replaced the Winter Fuel Payment, with the first payments made in the winter of 2025 and rates for 2026/27 set by age and household circumstance.
Warm Home Discount scheme opens for 2025-26 winter
The Warm Home Discount scheme for winter 2025-26 is open, giving eligible households in England, Wales and Scotland a one-off £150 discount on their energy bill.
Winter Fuel Payments to be made from November 2025
Winter Fuel Payments become universal in England and Wales from winter 2025/26 under regulations laid in August 2025, with payments from November 2025 and recovery from pensioners with taxable income over £35,000.
- October 2025
Attendance Allowance replaced by Pension Age Disability Payment in Scotland
Attendance Allowance has been replaced in Scotland by Pension Age Disability Payment, a devolved benefit for people over State Pension age with care needs, paid at two weekly rates.
Work and Pensions Committee publishes Government response to Pathways to Work report
The Work and Pensions Committee has published the Government's response to its Pathways to work report, with its Chair warning that UC Health changes could push disabled people into poverty.
NAO publishes value for money report on DWP's tackling of benefit overpayments due to fraud and error
The National Audit Office says benefit overpayment levels remain too high but improved in 2024-25, and that the Department for Work and Pensions must now turn its strategy into effective implementation.
Original version of this briefing published
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation has republished its Universal Credit briefing after the two-child limit was scrapped, correcting a coding error that affected the poverty impacts in the original version.
Age UK updates winter money guidance for winter 2025-26
Age UK has updated its winter money guidance for 2025-26, confirming that households with someone born on or before 21 September 1959 can receive the Winter Fuel Payment without claiming a means-tested benefit.
Payments made automatically from early October 2025
Most Child Winter Heating Payments in Scotland are being made automatically from early October 2025, with the payment set at £255.80 for winter 2025/26.
Warm home discount scheme reopens for winter 2025
The Warm Home Discount, which gives £150 off electricity bills in England, Scotland and Wales, reopens in October 2025 after being closed, according to two advice organisations.
- September 2025
Consultation on continuing the Warm Home Discount Scheme opens
The government has confirmed the Warm Home Discount will continue for a new five-year period from winter 2026/27 to 2030/31, after a consultation that ran from 25 September to 20 November 2025 and drew 93 responses.
Warm Home Discount Regulations amended by S.I. 2025/1031
The Warm Home Discount (Amendment) Regulations 2025 amended the England and Wales scheme rules on 18 September 2025, changing which supplier duties and Secretary of State powers continue after the scheme period ends.
Opt-out deadline for Winter Fuel Payment falls on 15 September 2025
Pensioners who do not want this winter's Winter Fuel Payment have until midnight on 15 September 2025 to opt out, or they will receive it and repay it through tax if their income exceeds £35,000.
Winter Fuel Payment Regulations 2024 revoked in England and Wales by the 2025 Regulations
The 2024 Winter Fuel Payment rules for England and Wales were revoked on 15 September 2025 and replaced by regulations making payments universal from winter 2025/26, with recovery from higher income pensioners.
Work and Pensions Committee publishes report on Jobcentre reforms calling for conditionality overhaul
The Work and Pensions Committee has called for an overhaul of Universal Credit conditionality, proposing a personalised action plan to replace the Claimant Commitment and a longer permitted job-search period.
Universal Credit Act 2025 receives Royal Assent
The Universal Credit Act 2025, which sets the formulae for uprating Universal Credit and income-related Employment and Support Allowance, received Royal Assent on 3 September 2025, with its rate changes taking effect from 6 April 2026.
DWP reassessing Carer's Allowance overpayments from 2015 to 2025
The Department for Work and Pensions is reassessing Carer's Allowance overpayments made between 10 April 2015 and 2 September 2025, with affected claimants possibly due a refund or a reduced or cancelled debt.
30 hours free childcare for children aged 9 months to 3 years from September 2025
From September 2025 working parents in England of children aged nine months to three years can access 30 hours of government-funded childcare a week, completing a rollout that began in April 2024.
Child Benefit education and training condition changes come into force
Amendments to Child Benefit rules for young people in education or training took effect on 1 September 2025, changing the hours and types of study that can support a claim beyond age 16.
Final Universal Credit migration notices issued to ESA claimants
The final migration notices in the Move to Universal Credit campaign were issued in the week beginning 1 September 2025, ending the managed transfer of Employment and Support Allowance claimants onto Universal Credit.
Scotland to introduce Pension Age Winter Heating Payment from winter 2025/26
Scotland will replace the UK Winter Fuel Payment with the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment from winter 2025/26, paid by Social Security Scotland to all pensioner households, with higher rates for those on certain benefits.
UC rollout expected to complete by September 2025
The Office for Budget Responsibility expects the Universal Credit rollout, excluding some income-based ESA claimants, to finish by September 2025, eight years later than originally planned.