Easter bank holiday weekend is here and will see most of the country bask in some much-needed sunshine over the long weekend. While the spring break is a welcome breather from the norm for a few days, it is also the perfect time to check you are not missing out on benefits or payments.
If you are in work, but on a low income, facing redundancy, living with a long-term health condition or disability, raising a family or recently bereaved, you could be due extra financial support from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
The Easter holiday means you can easily set some time aside to use one of the online benefit calculators listed at the end of this article to check if you should make a claim for a benefit or payment. It is estimated that more than £1 billion of UK Government benefits go unclaimed each year.
Neil Hugh, Head of Workplace Proposition at Standard Life, part of Phoenix Group, is urging people struggling with their finances due to the ongoing cost of living crisis, to check for unclaimed payments as it “could make a difference”.
He said: “Recent Standard Life research found that less than half of people currently feel positive about their financial situation, it’s more important than ever that people know what sort of support is available to them.
“Many are unaware of the different types of benefits out there so don’t even think to check their eligibility. Others are put off by the thought of dealing with the government claim process because they think it will take too long or because they don’t think they’ll be accepted.”
Neil added: “Many people don’t realise that if you get accepted for some benefits, it can mean you are entitled to others. If you’re struggling with the increased cost of living, it’s worth checking you’re claiming any and all payments you might be entitled to - it could make a difference.”
Who should check for unclaimed benefits?
Neil explained that there is a wide range of benefits available and conditions that may make you eligible.
These include:
- If you are temporarily unable to work, including because of ill health
- If you’re of working age on a low income
- If you’re over State Pension age on a low income
- if you’ve been made redundant
- If you’re looking for work
- If you’re raising a family
- If you have a child who is disabled or has a health condition
- If you’re disabled or have a health condition
- If you’re caring for someone
- If you’ve lost a loved one
Neil added: “If you’re struggling to pay bills, have lost your job, aren’t able to work or are on low income, you might want to consider claiming Universal Credit. This is a payment for people over 18 but under State Pension age. It includes support for the cost of housing, children and financial support for people with disabilities, carers and people too ill to work. It’s paid monthly, or twice a month for some people in Scotland.”
For people of State Pension age he urged them to check if they could be eligible for Pension Credit. He said: “Pension Credit tops up your weekly income to £182.60 if you’re single, or your joint weekly income to £278.70 if you have a partner. It can help with your living costs and can also help with housing costs such as ground rent or service charges.
“It’s separate from your State Pension and you can get Pension Credit even if you have other income, savings or own your own home. The DWP estimates up to one million households who are entitled to Pension Credit do not claim it.”
How to check eligibility for benefits or payments
The quickest way to check is to use an online confidential benefits calculator - there’s even one that checks eligibility for devolved benefits. Below is everything you need to know about benefits calculators including what they check for and how to use them.
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 the Scottish Child Payment. It provides a free and impartial assessment of entitlement to a range of benefits such as Universal Credit, crisis grants and support payments.
Turn2us
Information on income-related benefits, Tax Credits, Council Tax Reduction, Carer’s Allowance, Universal Credit and how your benefits will be affected if you start work or change your working hours.
Policy in Practice
Information on income-related benefits, Tax Credits, contribution-based benefits, Council Tax Reduction, Carer’s Allowance, Universal Credit, how these are calculated and how your benefits will be affected if you start work or change your working hours.
entitledto
Information on income-related benefits, Tax Credits, contribution-based benefits, Council Tax Reduction, Carer’s Allowance, Universal Credit and how your benefits will be affected if you start work.
What you will need
You will need accurate information about your:
Savings
Income, including your partner’s
Existing benefits and pensions (including anyone living with you)
Outgoings (such as rent, mortgage, childcare payments)
Latest Council Tax bill
To keep up to date with the latest benefits news, join our Money Saving Scotland Facebook page here, follow us on Twitter @Record_Money, or subscribe to our newsletter which goes out Monday to Friday - sign up here.
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