At the start of October, the UK Government introduced the new £2,500 Energy Price Guarantee which will be in place for the next two years in an effort to help households handle rising gas and electricity costs. Without the intervention, average household energy bills would have jumped 80 per cent from October 1, from £1,971 to £3,549 a year under the Ofgem price cap.
Other measures in place to help an estimated 22 million households across the country include the £400 energy rebate scheme which will see £66 deducted from all household bills with a direct electricity connection. Cost of living support payments are also still ongoing with the next wave of the £650 means-tested payment - worth £324 - set to land in bank account next month. Pensioner households are also due to start receiving a £300 top-up added to their Winter Fuel Payment over November and December.
But many people are not getting any extra financial support and may be unaware they can quickly and easily check online for any missing benefits, discounts or top-ups online using a confidential benefits calculator - there’s even one that checks eligibility for devolved benefits.
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?
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:
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Savings
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Income, including your partner’s
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Existing benefits and pensions (including anyone living with you)
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Outgoings (such as rent, mortgage, childcare payments)
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Latest Council Tax bill
To keep up to date with the latest cost of living news, join our Money Saving Scotland Facebook group here or subscribe to our newsletter which goes out three times each week - sign up here.
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