You may be entitled to more benefits than you think
The latest MoneySavingExpert (MSE) newsletter warns that £23 billion in benefits goes unclaimed every year. People are being urged to check if they qualify for some of the main benefits that are massively underclaimed, mostly by workers and pensioners.
According to MoneySavingExpert, the inflation figures that the Government normally uses to calculate next April’s benefit rises have been announced and it has dropped to 1.7% this month, lower figures than in recent months.
Universal Credit is one of the benefits that over a million people miss out on each year. The benefit is designed to help those of working age who are on low or no income with costs including living and housing.
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MSE suggests households with lower incomes could be missing out on a staggering £35,000 each year. If you have a household with children and high childcare costs and rent it could be as high as £60,000.
Other benefits left unclaimed by millions of people includes Attendance Allowance with MSE suggesting 1.1 million pensioners miss out on at least £3,3778 a year and Carer’s Allowance with 530,00 carers said to be missing out on up to $£4,250 a year.
Pensioners have a number of benefits they are able to claim but not all are claiming everything they are entitled to. Pension Credit and Housing Benefit are contributing to the billions of pounds lost in benefits annually.
Pension credit tops up income and on average is worth £3,900 each year. 760,00 pensioner households are missing out on this cash boost according to MSE. Those who claim Pension Credit may qualify for other entitlements including the Winter Fuel Payment, Council Tax Reduction and free TV licenses.
Even more people are said to lose out on the Housing Benefit, 294,000 pensioners miss out on £4,400-a-year-rent help. For eligible under-66s, support for housing costs is part of Universal Credit, but not for those of State Pension age. If you receive Pension Credit you can apply for the Housing Benefit through your council..
Surprisingly, Council Tax Support is the biggest unclaimed benefit according to the MoneySavingExpert newsletter. Up to a whopping 2.25 million people are missing out payments in excess of £1,500 a year.
Payments are dependent on address as every council takes charge of its own scheme. Claimants who qualify for means-test benefits such as Pension Credit and Universal Credit are often entitled to Council Tax Support but you must apply.
