Money Saving Expert (MSE.com) is urging millions of people to do a quick 10-minute check to make sure they are not missing out on additional financial support through benefits or Council Tax discounts. New analysis by the think-tank Policy in Practice, suggests that the total amount of unclaimed income-related benefits and social tariffs is nearly £23 billion each year.
Policy in Practice said its mission is to “maximise the income for low income households, making access to the welfare system simpler, fairer, and more efficient”. MSE.com has gone through the key points of the report and found that 1.4 million people could be missing out on Universal Credit, 1.1m pensioners may be entitled to Attendance Allowance and a further 760,000 eligible for Pension Credit.
MSE.com also highlights how around 530,000 people could be due Carer’s Allowance and a staggering 2.25m households across Great Britain may be missing out on Council Tax savings of up to £1,500 each year.
Summary of underclaimed means-tested benefits
If you are in work, but on a low income, living with a long-term health condition or disability, raising a family or recently bereaved, you could be entitled to extra financial support.
- Universal Credit: 1.4m missing out on an average of up to £5,800 each year
- Attendance Allowance: 1.1 people over State Pension age missing out on at least £3,778 each year
- Pension Credit: 760,000 pensioners missing out on average of £3,900 State Pension boost each year
- Council Tax Support: up to 2.25m missing out on £1,500 discounts each year
- Carer’s Allowance: 530,000 people unpaid carers missing out on £4,250 each year
- Housing Benefit: 294,000 State Pensioners missing out on an average £4,400 each year in help with rental costs
MSE.com is urging everyone to take 10 minutes and use an online benefits calculator to make sure they are maximising their income. The team of experts also highlighted how a successful claim for one benefit can also act as a gateway to other financial support, including discounts and social tariffs – find out more here.
If you’ve been dealt a financial blow, or your domestic situation has changed, setting aside 10 minutes to use one of the online benefit calculators could give you a much-needed income boost this winter.
Most benefits need to be claimed from the DWP or Social Security Scotland 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 wand to wave away money worries, but it can give you a fairly accurate estimate of how much you could be eligible to claim – but it’s up to you to actually make the application.
The Scottish Government’s Cost of Living Support Scotland website also offers a ‘one stop shop’ to help households and individuals quickly check for additional financial support – find out more here.
Who should check for unclaimed benefits or discounts?
There is a wide range of benefits and payments available you should check for.
You should check if:
- you are temporarily unable to work, including because of ill health
- you are of working age on a low income
- You are over State Pension age on a low income
- you have been made redundant
- you are looking for work
- you are raising a family
- you have a child who is disabled or has a health condition
- you are disabled or have a health condition
- you’re caring for someone
- you have lost a loved one
What is an online benefits calculator?
Online benefit calculators quickly work out if you are missing out on any benefits and best of all, they are completely free, independent and confidential to use – so there’s nothing to lose.
In just a few minutes you could find out how much you may be able to claim in extra support, just by entering details about yourself, your residential status, your working status and any savings you have.
You can use an independent benefits calculator to find out:
- What benefits you could get
- How to claim
- How your benefits will be affected if you start work
Where to find help
Advice Direct Scotland
- This online tool is the first to fully integrate devolved benefits including Scottish Child Payment and Adult or Child Disability Payment. It provides a free and impartial assessment of entitlement to a range of benefits such as Universal Credit, crisis grants and support payments. Find out more here.
The benefits calculators below provide information on income-related benefits, Council Tax Reduction, Carer’s Allowance, Universal Credit and how your benefits will be affected if you start work or change your working hours.
What you will need before you start
Gather the following information before you start and the whole process should just take about 10 minutes:
- Savings
- Income, including your partner’s
- Existing benefits and pensions – including anyone living with you
- Outgoings – such as rent, mortgage, childcare payments
- Your latest Council Tax bill