Benefit Changes Timetable - Benefit Changes Timetable 2025

Please note that information about some of these changes may be limited at present and also subject to further change. Although some will happen quickly, others may be introduced gradually over several years.

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.

In Northern Ireland, pensioners who didn’t get the Winter Heating Payment will receive a one-off £100 fuel support payment by 31 March.

April 2025

The Tax Credit service will close on 5 April 2025, and all remain accounts are closed.

Social security benefits will go up by 1.7%.

The earnings threshold for Carer’s Allowance will increase from £151 to £196.

The National Minimum Wage will increase by 6% -

• For people aged 21 and over it will rise to £12.21 per hour.
• For 18- to 20-year-olds it will rise to £10.00 per hour.
• For apprentices and those under 18 it will rise to £6.40.

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.

The New and Basic State Pensions, and the Minimum Guarantee element of Pension Credit will rise by 4.1%.

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.