The number of people who found they were entitled to cash they hadn’t even known existed has been revealed, and the sum of money they were missing out on
Almost one million Brits have discovered they were missing out on vital Government payments – a huge £9.6 billion in unclaimed benefits over the last year. Charity Turn2Us says around 900,000 people used its free benefits calculator to uncover cash they didn’t even know existed.
Universal Credit, Carer’s Allowance, and new-style Jobseeker’s Allowance were among the payments finally claimed. Anna Stevenson, benefits expert at Turn2Us, warned: “Our data shows that there is support available for many, but all too often it’s difficult to find.
“The Turn2us Benefits Calculator cuts through the confusion. It’s fast, free and completely anonymous. Just a few minutes could help you uncover extra cash you didn’t even know you could claim. We know it’s tough right now, especially with back-to-school costs stacking up and household bills climbing; don’t wait until things get harder – check now and ease the pressure on your family.”
Of 1.5 million users last year, 60% found they were eligible for payments they hadn’t claimed. That included £588 million in Carer’s Allowance for 185,000 carers and £636 million in new-style Jobseeker’s Allowance for 135,000 people.
Some people are even getting backdated payments. Single mum Esther, one of the calculator’s users, said: “It’s important to know that with certain benefits, those payments can be backdated. While my missing child benefit was backdated by three months, my carer’s element of universal credit was backdated, which really helped.”
With bills soaring and families struggling this summer, Turn2Us urges people to check their entitlement now. A few minutes could unlock cash you didn’t know you had coming. To check your benefit entitlements quickly and confidentially, visit the Turn2us Benefits Calculator here.
A DWP spokesperson said: “Millions of people rely on our welfare system every year and it is vital that it can be accessed by all who need it. We promote benefits through public communications campaigns and provide funding for the free Help to Claim service provided by Citizens Advice to support people to make a claim.
“Alongside this, we are fixing the broken welfare system we inherited so it genuinely supports those who can work into employment, while ensuring there is always a safety net for the most vulnerable.”