Money Saving Expert (MSE) is encouraging people across the UK to make a quick check to see if they are missing out on much-needed financial boosts from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
According to fresh calculations from Policy in Practice, approximately £23 billion in income-related benefits and social tariffs remain unclaimed each year. The think-tank’s goal is to “maximise the income for low income households, making access to the welfare system simpler, fairer, and more efficient”.
After examining the key elements of this report, MSE highlights that there could be 1.4 million people unaware of their Universal Credit entitlement, 1.1m pensioners who may be eligible for Attendance Allowance, and an additional 760,000 who could qualify for Pension Credit.
Furthermore, MSE points out that around 530,000 individuals could claim Carer’s Allowance, with a staggering 2.25m households potentially missing out on Council Tax discounts of up to £1,500 per year. The report suggests that if you’re working on a low income, dealing with long-term health problems or disabilities, supporting a family, or coping with recent bereavement, you might be entitled to extra financial assistance, reports the Daily Record.
Here’s how many people are estimated to be missing out on the following benefits:
- Carer’s Allowance: 530,000 people unpaid carers missing out on £4,250 each year
- Attendance Allowance: 1.1 people over State Pension age missing out on at least £3,778 each year
- Housing Benefit: 294,000 State Pensioners missing out on an average £4,400 each year in help with rental costs
- Pension Credit: 760,000 pensioners missing out on average of £3,900 State Pension boost each year
- Universal Credit: 1.4m missing out on an average of up to £5,800 each year
- Council Tax Support: up to 2.25m missing out on £1,500 discounts each year
MSE is urging people to take 10 minutes to use its online benefits calculator to ensure they are maximising their income. The team of experts also highlighted how a successful claim for one benefit can lead to other financial support, including discounts and social tariffs.
If you’ve experienced a financial setback, or your household situation has changed, dedicating 10 minutes to use one of the online benefit calculators could provide a much-needed income boost this winter. Most benefits need to be claimed from the DWP and while the end-to-end application journey time can take up to 17 weeks for disability payments, others have a much quicker turnaround.
An online benefits calculator isn’t a magic solution to financial worries, but it can give you a fairly accurate estimate of how much you could be eligible to claim.
Who should be on the lookout for unclaimed benefits or discounts?
A broad spectrum of benefits and payments are available that you should investigate. You should check if: you’re disabled or have a health condition, you’ve suffered a bereavement, you’re over State Pension age and on a low income, you’ve been made redundant, you’re raising a family, you’re temporarily unable to work due to ill health, you’re caring for someone, you’re of working age and on a low income, you have a child who is disabled or has a health condition, or you’re seeking employment.
What exactly is an online benefits calculator?
Online benefit calculators can quickly identify any benefits you may be missing out on. They are completely free, independent, and confidential to use, so there’s no risk involved.
In just a few minutes, by entering details about yourself, your residential status, your employment status, and any savings you have, you could find out how much additional support you might be eligible for. An independent benefits calculator can help you understand income-related benefits, Council Tax Reduction, Carer’s Allowance, Universal Credit, and how changes in your work hours or starting a new job will impact your benefits.
