Britons are missing out on vital extra income as over £100 million is found in just one year by individuals who made the check.
New figures from Christians Against Poverty (CAP) reveal that 15,000 people could be around £7,000 a year better off, after checking their entitlements on a free online benefits calculator.
Nationally, it’s estimated £19 billion of annual income is still not being claimed.
Many don’t know what they’re entitled to, others find the process of applying overly complex, and others can feel shut out through a lack of digital access or local support.
For those unaware of their entitlements, a simple and free, ten-minute benefits check could find someone vital extra regular income through the calculator.
CAP is urging people to use a benefits calculator to see if they are entitled to more income just as Lisa did.
After using the benefits calculator, Lisa found that, despite being in work, she was entitled to around £250 of benefits a month that she was previously missing out on.
Lisa said: “I am working; most of the time, when you’re working, you don’t get anything. That is what I thought. But then I thought it’s only going to take a couple of minutes, and it didn’t cost anything to try it, so just out of curiosity, I did it.
“Then I heard back and was told I would be entitled to around £250 extra a month! I went onto the government website and filled in all the forms online, and they told me I would be entitled to Universal Credit.
“With the cost of living going up, it has made a huge difference. I can pay my bills. It has kept me out of debt. It has taken a lot of pressure off.”
CAP’s Director of External Affairs, Gareth McNab, is calling on the UK Government to highlight the issue: “The UK Government and the devolved governments must prioritise helping those in poverty and on low incomes by launching an awareness campaign to ensure people know about the money they’re entitled to.
“It’s horrific to think that there is 19 billion pounds each year sitting in Whitehall that should be in people’s pockets – there are no good reasons to withhold that vital support, and every effort should be made to connect everyone with their entitlements.
“The benefits calculator on Christians Against Poverty’s website is an incredible, free tool that is helping thousands of people find millions of pounds of vital extra money at a time when prices are through the roof, and many are struggling to cope with the ever-increasing cost of living.
“I’m urging everyone, please encourage your friends and family and check yourself to see if you’re entitled to some form of benefits by using the Turn2us benefits calculator at capuk.org/benefitscalculator.”
Age UK the county council said that about 5,000 older people were not claiming pension credit to which they were entitled.
The benefit could enable them to claim even more financial support. This includes access to help with housing costs and, for those over 75, entitlement to a free TV licence.
Pension credit is an income-related benefit that tops up a weekly income to £201.05 for a single person, and to a joint amount of £306.85 for a couple.
