Hard-hit families missing out on benefits worth £4,000 a year – see if you can claim
MILLIONS of hard-hit families are missing out on £4,000 worth of benefits a year, see if you can claim.
The total amount of unclaimed benefits is currently £18.7billion a year including £.7.5billion in Universal Credit.
Plus, £2.9billion of council tax support is going unclaimed by over 2.7million people, according to research by Policy in Practice.
Households are not claiming the support they’re entitled to, despite the cost of living increasing.
It means that some hard-up families could be missing out on £4,000 a year.
In addition, less people are applying for local financial support such as council tax which is the most underclaimed.
Social tariffs, offered for broadband and mobile phone customers, are also going unclaimed.
Some 97% of households are not applying for a cheaper tariff even though they’re more than eligible.
The research found that people aren’t claiming benefits and other help for several reasons.
For example, some find application forms or websites too complex while others have no idea that the help is out there or that they’re eligible.
While the stigma and other negative perceptions people have about asking for help is also stopping them from applying.
Check if you are entitled to benefits
If you are not receiving benefits currently, it’s worth checking if you are eligible for any.
Not only will you start receiving money from the benefit, it might make you eligible for one of the cost of living payments.
A number of charities have benefits calculators that you can use to work out what you are entitled to, including:
- Turn2Us
- Policy in Practice
- EntitledTo
Before checking, make sure you’ve got all the relevant paperwork to hand, including bank statements and any information on pensions or existing benefits.
Remember, you’ll have to give information about yourself including age and who you live with too.
It’s all worth bearing in mind any benefit calculator tools will only give you an indication of what you could get, they’re not always 100% accurate.
What other help is on offer?
If you live in Medway and don’t meet the criteria for the Household Support Fund, there is other help on offer.
Millions of households are in line for cost of living payments worth up to £1,350.
The first instalment of the £900 payment is being made to millions on certain benefits, including Universal Credit and Pension Credit, from today (April 25).
Meanwhile, a £150 payment and between £150-£300 payment will be made to millions with disabilities and pensioners.
You may be entitled to the £150 disability cost of living payment if you receive any of the following benefits:
- Attendance Allowance
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance for adults
- Disability Living Allowance for children
- Personal Independence Payment
- Adult Disability Payment (in Scotland)
- Child Disability Payment (in Scotland)
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- War Pension Mobility Supplement
If you are eligible for the payment, it will be made this summer.
Meanwhile, pensioners who are entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2023/24 will get an extra £150 or £300 paid on top of their normal payment from November this year.
You will be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment this winter if you were born before September 25, 1957.
Those eligible for the payment will receive a letter in October and November telling them how much money to expect.
You should check if you are entitled to any benefits that qualify you for the cost of living payments.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk