You may want to check what benefits you are entitled to (Image: Getty)
Many people are at risk of missing out on thousands of pounds in support from the DWP. Benefits experts have explained how to claim the funds into your bank account.
The team at financial support group Money Wellness has urged people to check what unclaimed benefits they are missing out on. The group says that people miss out on an average of £3,000 a year in support, the equivalent of £250 a month.
Rebecca Lamb, external relations manager at Money Wellness, said people often don’t apply for what they qualify for, even though they know the support is out there. She said: “It’s not just awareness. There are other barriers too.
“Stigma is still a big one. A lot of people feel uncomfortable about claiming benefits, especially if they’ve worked all their lives.” For example, people of state pension age in a low income can claim Pension Credit.
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You may always paid your way through your working life and intend to do the same in retirement, but this benefit can make a big difference. The average claim is worth over £4,000 a year in support, with the benefit topping up your weekly income and also opening up access to other support.
The benefit tops up your income up to £238 a week for single claimants and up to £363.25 a week for couples. You can get extra amounts on top of this depending on your circumstances, such as if you have a severe disability or if you provide care for another adult.
Time-consuming process
Ms Lamb warned another danger is that people are put off by the long-winded application process. She said: “The process can also put people off. It can feel complicated, it’s definitely time-consuming, and it can be quite overwhelming if you’re already struggling.
“There’s also fear of being rejected, which stops people even trying. And sometimes it’s just life. People are busy, they’re dealing with bills, work, family pressures, and applying for support gets pushed to the bottom of the list.”
A real opportunity
She called for more action to raise awareness. The advocate said: “There’s a real opportunity for more organisations to be more proactive. At the moment, too much relies on people knowing when to check, and in reality, most people don’t.
“If the DWP or local authorities could prompt people when something changes – even just a simple message saying ‘you may want to check what you’re now entitled to’ – that could make a real difference.”
She said that service providers such as banks and utility providers could also play their part, in pointing people to support if they are missing payments or going into their overdraft.
Ms Lamb said: “They’re often in a position to see the early signs first, with things like overdrafts creeping up or missed payments. That’s usually the point where a bit of signposting to benefits checks or debt advice could really help people before things get worse.”
To find out what you are entitled to, there are several online calculator tools you can use, such as the Better Off Calculator.
