Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis has urged anybody who makes £60,000 or less a year to do a simple check which could save them money. According to Martin, many people in this wage bracket could be owed extra money without realising it.
In his latest Money Saving Expert, Martin made the revelation that, even if you're on as much as £60,000 per annum, you may be able to claim benefits. Martin went on to explain that millions could be able to claim additional cash from the Government.
According to the finance expert, there's a simple 10-minute check everybody can do to make sure they're not missing out in benefits payments from the Government. He says it's easy to do.
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In his newsletter, Martin wrote: "We've long urged you to check to make sure you get all the benefits you're entitled to, knowing millions were due a share of billions. And many most in need of help, often having long paid into the system, are missing out.
"So with permission from Policy in Practice, we've taken its data of the numbers missing out on the main benefits, and added our own info on who can claim each of these many underclaimed benefits, to see if we can help get you what you're due..."
Universal Credit
According to the MSE newsletter, over one million people are missing out on Universal Credit of around £9,600 a year - or £7.5billion overall. Martin explained that low income households are mostly known for claiming this particularly Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefit. However, you can still claim it even if you have a household income of up to £40,000 if you've got children, childcare costs and rent.
Council Tax support
Another support underclaimed is for Council Tax with around three million people missing out on over £1,000 worth of help a year. Martin explained: "Every council runs its own scheme, so what you get depends on where you live, but it can cut your council tax bill by up to 100%." Those missing out on help mainly consist of those claiming Universal Credit or Pension Credit because they do not get it automatically and have to apply.
Carer's Allowance
Around half a million people providing unpaid care for someone else are not claiming this cash which can provide them with £76.75 a week, or £3,991 over the course of a year.
Martin explained: "Who's likely missing out? - you must care for someone who gets Attendance Allowance, or some on PIP or disability living allowance; spend 35+ hours a week helping with everyday tasks like washing, cooking and shopping; and earn less than £123/wk (after tax) or have a low state pension."
Pension Credit
This is a benefit which Martin Lewis has campaigned about for several years and is paid to those on a low income and who claim the state pension. Around 850,000 pensioners are believed to be eligible to claim but are currently not.
Martin said: "Pension Credit tops up your income. On average it's worth £3,500/yr, but claim even if you're only due 50p, as its SUPERPOWER is to qualify you for extra benefits like council tax reduction and free TV licences."
He also urged people to check if they are eligible and make a claim for the benefit before May 19 this year. If you make a claim before this date, then you will be entitled to receive the first £301 cost of living payment - you will also then be eligible for future cost of living payments, says the Mirror.
Child benefit
Over 750,000 families are not claiming Child Benefit payments and if you claim you could receive an average of £2,075 a year. Child benefit is a payment made to parents or those who have sole parental responsibilities of a child until the child turns 16 or 20 if they are in full-time education of training.
Martin highlighted that new parents are likely missing out as they have to apply for the cash and those who didn't claim as they were high earners but are now eligible as their circumstances have changed.
You cannot claim Child Benefit if you earn over £60,000 a year and you will have to pay some back if you earn over £50,000 through the High Income Child Benefit Charge.
Housing Benefit
A quarter of a million pensioners are missing out on claiming Housing Benefit which could give them an extra £5,000 to help with their housing costs. Martin explained: "For eligible under-66s, it's automatically part of Universal Credit, but not for those of state pension age and get Pension Credit.
"When you apply for Pension Credit, you can usually apply for Housing Benefit at the same time. If you already get Pension Credit, apply with your local council."
Water and Broadband Social tariffs
Over five million households each are missing out on social and broadband social tariffs. Social tariffs are cheaper than standard and are offered to people who are claiming certain benefits and on low incomes.
In the UK every single water company offers a social tariff scheme and around £1billion worth of support for water bill payments is going unclaimed - which could provide £160 of help each year.
With broadband, there are fewer suppliers providing them but those offer those eligible a bill of around £20 a month. Martin added: "Only 3% of those eligible have signed up, so if you're on Universal Credit especially, check it out."
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