‘A further stage in the replacement of six benefits with Universal Credit,’ is how the Department for Communities describes Northern Ireland’s latest welfare order, sealed on 12 November 2025 and published on legislation.gov.uk. The rule-Statutory Rule 2025 No. 176-sets firm dates for winding down the last legacy benefits and tidies up how housing support is handled when people move on.

From 1 December 2025, awards of old style Employment and Support Allowance that are paid wholly because of the contributory allowance-or where the contributory amount is higher than the income‑related amount-will convert to the new style, contributory‑only ESA. That switch prevents any future income‑related top‑ups arising if circumstances change, and moves those cases fully onto the contributory track alongside UC.

If a claimant is not in that position on 1 December but later becomes contributory‑only-for example after wages rise or household income shifts-the conversion happens on that later day. To keep administration running smoothly, the Department may delay preparing a claimant commitment for a short period; during that pause, entitlement will not depend on accepting a commitment.

Old style Jobseeker’s Allowance is brought to an end next. For any remaining cases not already due to end or be treated as ending at the end of a two‑week run‑on, the abolishing provisions take effect on 1 April 2026. The Department is explicit that this date ‘does not affect the two week run‑on period’ where someone has claimed UC or missed a managed migration deadline.

Income Support follows the same timetable. Article 39(1)(c) of the 2015 Order is commenced so that any remaining awards-other than those within a run‑on period-end on 1 April 2026. For long‑term IS recipients, that sets a final line in the sand to move onto UC rather than risk a stop in payment.

Housing Benefit is affected more narrowly. For working‑age claimants who leave temporary accommodation or specified (supported) accommodation on or after 14 November 2025, Housing Benefit will end the day after the last day of entitlement for that type of accommodation if they are not already on UC and not being moved by managed migration. From then on, support with rent is expected to come through UC’s housing costs element.

The order also clarifies that ending a Housing Benefit award in these circumstances ‘terminates the current award but does not prevent a new claim’ if the person later qualifies again for HB under the exemption in regulation 4A of the 2016 Transitional Regulations. In other words, the door is not closed if someone returns to qualifying supported housing.

Put plainly, ‘old style’ refers to pre‑UC versions of ESA and JSA that contained income‑related elements. ‘New style’ ESA is contributory only and is not means‑tested; it can be paid alongside UC where there is means‑tested entitlement. The order ensures that contributory‑only ESA cases cannot regenerate an income‑related ESA element in future, with UC providing any means‑tested top‑up instead.

For claimants, the timelines are tight. 1 December 2025 is almost upon us; 1 April 2026 follows quickly. If you receive a migration notice, act before the deadline to secure any applicable two‑week run‑on of JSA or Income Support. Anyone moving out of supported or temporary accommodation after 14 November should ensure a UC claim for housing costs is in place to avoid a rent gap.

Councils and housing providers will feel this on the ground. Fewer Housing Benefit claims from temporary placements will trim caseloads, but the cash risk shifts to UC’s monthly cycles and verification checks. Rent teams in Belfast, Derry/Londonderry and across border counties will need stronger signposting, clear tenant letters and, where appropriate, requests for direct payments to steady arrears.

Advice agencies expect busy phone lines as letters land. Households with small ESA income‑related top‑ups may be surprised that these cannot arise in future once their award is contributory‑only. Mixed‑age or part‑time working households may see UC fluctuate; the temporary pause on claimant commitments should reduce immediate paperwork, but conditionality will still follow once commitments are prepared.

Although this is a Northern Ireland instrument, there are lessons for councils and landlords across the North of England who work with NI tenants or share back‑office teams. The priority between November and April is practical: clear timelines, early UC housing cost claims, and a plan to manage the final wind‑down of legacy benefits.

The order sits under the Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 and was sealed by the Department for Communities on 12 November 2025. It brings the UC roll‑out in Northern Ireland to its closing stages. For claimants and landlords alike, the message is simple: know the dates and move early so payments keep pace with real‑world rent.