MARTIN Lewis has urged households bringing in less than £30,000 a year to check if they are eligible for extra help.
Millions of Brits are missing out on benefits that could boost their income and make all the difference.
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A mum of three who was struggling to afford school dinner money has shared how she ended up getting Universal Credit worth thousands of pounds a year.
The Martin Lewis fan said she took the advice after watching the money saving expert’s ITV show, which she watched “with a pen and paper taking notes”.
In a letter sent to Martin and published in Money Saving Expert’s latest newsletter, the mum said: “I work full-time, but can’t afford to go on holiday or to take the children to the movies to say the least.
“I have been struggling to pay dinner money so that my children get a decent meal at school, yet I work. Full-time.”
She added: “When you advised people to try claiming universal credit, I did!
“Guess what? I’m actually entitled. I was awarded half of my rent, worth more than £3,700 a year.”
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Charity Turn2us has warned that in total, at least seven million people across the UK are missing out on over £15 billion of unclaimed benefits.
One million people alone are missing out on £2.9billion on Universal Credit, worth on average £2,900 each.
A recent change to rules for claiming Universal Credit while working means that around half a million families who didn’t qualify for help before now do.
And it’s not just this money either. Pension Credit, housing benefit, tax credits and council tax support are all going unclaimed.
Speaking on the latest episode of the Martin Lewis Money Show, Martin said that checking what you’re entitled to couldn’t be easier.
He said: “If you have an income of less than £30,000 and you are struggling it’s worth spending 10 minutes on a benefits calculator to see what you are entitled to.”
The exact amount you’re entitled to will depend on your circumstances.
How to check your benefit entitlement
You can find free-to-use online benefits calculators to work out what you’re entitled to.
We’ve narrowed down some easy ones you can use.
Before using the tools, make sure you have key financial information to hand, such as bank and savings statements, and information on pensions and existing benefits.
If you live with a partner or family, get their basic financial information together too as this could affect your claim.
Once you’ve used the tools you can use the contact information on Gov.uk to get the ball rolling and apply for what you’re owed.
Of course, the tools only provide an indicator of what benefits you can claim – and usually don’t include means-tested benefits, so you may be entitled to even more.
For example, you will qualify for extra financial help if you have disabled child or you’re a carer.
Benefits calculators
Entitledto’s free calculator works out whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credits and Universal Credit.
MoneySavingExpert.com and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto’s data that let you save your results without logging in.
Use Policy in Practice’s calculator to not only find out which benefits you could receive, but also to find out how much cash you’ll have leftover each month after paying for housing costs.
Charity Turn2Us’ benefits calculator works out what means-tested benefits you might be entitled to, as well as whether you qualify for carers allowance.
What benefits can I get?
The tools won’t include every single benefit but they do cover the vast majority of them.
Some benefits also confer extra help, such as with heating costs and council tax so it’s well worth claiming anything you qualify for, even if it’s just a small amount to access extra support on top.
The list of benefits you can find out about through the calculators include:
Support for low-income households
- Income support
- Income-based jobseeker’s allowance
- Income-based employment and support allowance
- Pension credit
- Housing benefit
- Council tax reduction
- School children: free milk, uniform costs and healthcare help
- Free school meals
- Support for mortgage interest
- Budgeting loans and advances
- Funeral payment
- Council support schemes
- Cold weather payments
Support for those in work
- Jobseeker’s allowance (JSA)
- Working tax credit
Support for families
- Child benefit
- Child tax credits
- Guardian’s allowance
- Statutory maternity/paternity/adoption pay
- Marriage allowance
- Maternity grant
- Maternity allowance
- Widowed parent’s allowance
- Scottish child payment
Support based on health needs
- Attendance allowance
- Personal independence payment
- Carer’s allowance
- New-style employment and support allowance
- Statutory sick pay
- State pension
- Bereavement allowance
- Bereavement support payment
- Winter fuel payments
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