The Spring 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 five-day weekly norm, 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 bank 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. A new report by the think-tank Policy in Practice recently estimated that more than £19 billion of UK Government benefits is going 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.
“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.”
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 Scottish Child Payment and Adult 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.
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 cost of living 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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