DWP benefits changes coming in 2025 - full list

People claiming benefits through the Department for Work and Pensions can expect to see some changes next year - which will impact their income. The benefit changes timetable 2025 includes amendments to Attendance Allowance and The Household Support Fund among other things.

Not all of the changes will impact people in the West Midlands - some are specific to other, devolved, parts of he UK. Elsewhere, there are major universal changes - such as the Tax Credit service closing.

The timetable is subject to change, but as it stands there are six changes coming listed below. Although some will happen quickly, others may be introduced gradually over several years.

Read more: State pensioners get extra £100

January 2025

In Scotland, people getting Attendance Allowance will begin to be automatically transferred to the new Pension Age Disability Payment.

March 2025

• Welfare Supplementary Payments (Northern Ireland) have been extended until 31 March 2025.
• In Scotland, the new Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP) that is replacing Attendance Allowance, will be available in 13 more local authority areas from 24 March. To see if your area is included, visit the gov.scot website. It will be available throughout Scotland from 22 April 2025.
• The deadline to make a claim for the 2024/25 Winter Fuel Payment is 31 March 2025. For more information on key dates and eligibility, read our Winter Fuel Payment guide.
• The Household Support Fund will end on 31 March 2025.
• In Scotland, the transfer of people from Carer’s Allowance to Carer’s Support Payment is expected to be complete.
• In Scotland, the transfer of people getting Disability Living Allowance to Adult Disability Payment and Scottish Adult DLA is expected to begin.

April 2025

• The Tax Credit service will close on 5 April 2025, and all remain accounts are closed.
• The deadline to pay voluntary NICs for the contribution years 2006/7 to 2015/6, to increase New State Pension entitlement, is extended to 5 April 2025.
• In Scotland, the new Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP) that is replacing Attendance Allowance will be rolled our nationally by 22 April.

September 2025

Working parents of children under the age of five will be entitled to 30 hours free childcare per week from September 2025. You can find current available help with Childcare costs on our website.

November 2025

• In Scotland, the new benefit Pension Age Winter Heating Payment is expected to be launched, replacing the Winter Fuel Payment.
• In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the Cold Weather Payment 2025 scheme opens.

December 2025

• Legacy benefits are ending. All managed migration notices are expected to be sent by the end of December 2025.
• Across the UK, the transfer of people on income-related ESA to Universal Credit is expected to be complete.
• In Scotland, the Winter Heating Payment 2025/26 is expected to be paid to eligible households.