Definition
Run-on
Reviewed by BenefitCheck Editorial Team · Updated 18 June 2026
A two-week continuation of legacy benefits (Housing Benefit, JSA, ESA, Income Support) after you first claim Universal Credit.
In plain English
Run-on is the two-week payment of certain legacy means-tested benefits that continues after the date you first claim Universal Credit. It exists because UC pays a month in arrears, so without run-on, people moving from older benefits would face an immediate gap. Housing Benefit run-on, JSA run-on, ESA run-on and Income Support run-on all work the same way.
Why it matters
Run-on is a one-off cushion that does not need to be paid back. People often miss it because nothing on the UC claim form prompts you about it — it happens automatically when DWP processes the claim. If you were on Housing Benefit and claim UC, two more weeks of HB should arrive after the UC claim is made.
Example
You were receiving Housing Benefit of £600 a month. You claim UC on 10 June. Housing Benefit continues to pay for the two weeks from 10–23 June, then stops. Your first UC payment lands around 17 July.
What people often confuse it with
Transitional protection
Run-on is a two-week payment for new UC claimants. Transitional protection is a longer top-up for people moved across by DWP under managed migration.
Advance payments
An advance is a repayable loan. Run-on is a continuation of your previous benefit — no repayment.