At the beginning of October, the UK Government announced that the new £2,500 Energy Price Guarantee would begin, and stay in place until 2024.
This is in an effort to help households handle the rising energy bill prices across the UK. The Daily Record reports that without this price freeze, the average household energy bill would have shot up from £1,971 to £3,549 annually, under the Ofgem price cap.
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There are also other measures in place to keep prices down, as an estimated 22 million households will receive the £400 energy rebate scheme. This will see £66 deducted from their bills if they have a direct electricity connection.
Cost of living payments are also still ongoing, as the second payment of the £650 boost is due to land in bank accounts next month. Pensioners are also set to receive a £300 top-up to their Winter Fuel Payment over the coming months.
However, many people are not receiving financial support, and could be doing so, if they just checked for their own benefits. This is easy to check out online, as there could be many missing benefits, discounts or top-ups available for people.
Below is everything you need to know about benefits calculators including the most popular ones to use, what they check for and how to use them.
What is an online benefits calculator?
An online benefit calculator quickly works out if someone is missing out on any benefits. The best thing is, using the calculator is free, independent and confidential - so there is no losses to be had.
Within minutes, someone could find out just how much they could be owed in benefits or discounts from the Government, just by entering a few details about themselves, their residential status, working status, and any savings they may 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 the benefits calculator?
There are many benefits calculators to use online, here are just some that are recommended.
Advice Direct Scotland
This online tool is the first one to fully integrate devolved benefits, including the Scottish Child Payment. It will provide a free and impartial assessment of entitlement to a whole host of benefits, such as crisis grants, support payments and Universal Credit.
Check out the calculator here.
Turn2us
This tool provides information on the following:
- income-related benefits
- Tax Credits
- Council Tax Reduction
- Carer's Allowance
- Universal Credit
It will also show how your benefits will be affected if you start work, or change your working hours. Find out more here.
Policy in Practice
This tool will provide the same information as the Turn2us benefits calculator, including the following:
Check out the calculator here.
entitled to
This tool provides information on the following:
- income-related benefits
- Tax Credits
- contribution-based benefits
- Council Tax Reduction
- Carer's Allowance
- Universal Credit
It will also show how your benefits will be affected if you begin working. Find out more here.
What information do I need for the benefits calculator?
You will need accurate information about the following:
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
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