UK families are missing out on £16 BILLION in unclaimed benefits – here’s how to claim
LOW-INCOME families are missing out on almost £16billion in unclaimed benefits every year.
New government figures show that millions of households aren't claiming what they are entitled to, with some potentially missing out on tens of thousands of pounds annually.
People are failing to claim for several different benefits including: Child Benefit, Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, Job Seekers Allowance, Council Tax Support and Income Support.
Each year, HMRC and DWP publish figures showing how many people are missing out on each benefit and how much they are losing.
Benefits charity EntitledTo.co.uk has crunched the government's numbers and found that the total amount unclaimed across all the benefit is £15.9billion.
A spokesperson said: "Millions of low income households are still not getting the help they are entitled to and billions of pounds are going unclaimed by some of our poorest families each year";
While the government says how many households are missing out for each individual benefit, it's impossible to work out the total amount as some families may miss out on more than one.
For example, a household that could claim Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit and Housing Benefit would be missing out on over £9,000 a year altogether.
And as the government says it can't provide figures on take up of Universal Credit, the real number of families missing out could be even higher.
Here's all the benefits people are missing out on, how much you will get on average, and how to claim:
Child Tax Credit
Government figures show that 670,000 people aren't claiming Child Tax Credit, even though they are entitled to it.
The total amount going unclaimed is £2.49billion, meaning that on average a family loses £3,716 each year.
Child tax credit is available to people who are responsible for a child under 16 or for a child under 20 who is in certain types of training or education.
Your eligibility and what you get depends on your income and childcare costs.
How to renew your tax credits
YOU can renew online, via the app or over the phone.
Renewing online is quick and easy to do.
Once you've started the process you can to check on the progress of a renewal, and find out when you’ll hear back from HMRC.
Customers can also use the HMRC app on their smartphone to:
- renew their tax credits
- check their tax credits payment schedule
- find out how much they have earned for the year
You can also renew by phone on 0345 300 3900.
Working Tax Credit
Working Tax Credit is used to top up the income of working adults.
The government's figures showed that almost a million people missed out, losing £2,674 on average.
You need to work a certain number of hours every week, and your income has to fall below a certain level.
How to claim
The benefit is being replaced by Universal Credit meaning new people can no longer apply.
But those who already get tax credits can continue to do so, as long as they renew on time.
You can renew online, via the app or over the phone. Renewing online is quick and easy to do.
Once you've started the process you can log into GOV.UK to check on the progress of a renewal, and find out when you’ll hear back from HMRC.
Customers can also use the HMRC app on their smartphone to:
- renew their tax credits
- check their tax credits payment schedule
- find out how much they have earned for the year
You can also renew by phone on 0345 300 3900.
Pension credit
Pension credit is a means-tested benefit that helps those on lower incomes by giving them extra money throughout retirement.
Millions of pensioners are eligible, but DWP stats show that over million people didn't claim last year.
This means retirees are missing out on £2,080 a year on average.
There are two parts to the benefit.
- Guarantee credit - tops up your weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level. This is £167.25 a week if you're single and £255.25 a week for married couples.
- Savings credit - provides extra money if you've saved money towards retirement. You can get an extra £13.75 a week for a single person or £15.35 a week for a married couple.
You may also get additional pension credit if you are disabled, have caring responsibilities or have to pay certain housing costs.
You also need to claim it to get other benefits such as a free TV licence.
How to claim
The quickest way to apply for pension credit is by phone on 0800 99 1234.
You can get a friend or family member to ring for you, but you'll need to be there to answer some questions.
The claim line is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 7:30pm.
You need to make sure you have the following information to hand:
- Your national insurance number
- Information about your income, savings and investments
- Bank account details
What's happening to my Easter benefit payments?
HERE'S what's happening if your benefits and Universal Credit payments are due over the Easter 2020 bank holiday:
- Payment due Friday April 10? It will be brought forward by one day to Thursday April 9.
- Payment due Monday April 13? It will be brought forward by four days to Thursday April 9.
The amount you get won't change and no other payment dates are affected.
Housing benefit
If you can't pay your rent because your income has dropped you might be entitled to Housing Benefit.
But almost a million (920,000) people entitled to the benefit didn't claim it last year.
On average, households who don't claim are missing out on £2,913 annually.
The benefit is designed to help renters who are on a low income, claiming benefits, or have savings of less than £16,000.
You have to be committed to looking for work, your benefit payments will be stopped otherwise.
How to claim
You can usually apply for Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) online via .
You'll need to provide your National Insurance number.
But you can't do it digitally if you get the severe disability premium, or got it in the last month and are still eligible.
If you want to apply for the "new style" ESA you need to fill out an .
You could also call the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644 (choose option 2) to get one through the post or by email.
Council Tax Support
People who are low incomes or who receive other benefits may be eligible for a .
Child Benefit
A parent can claim child benefit if they are responsible for one or more children under 16 (or under 20 if they stay in approved education or training).
But stats show that over half a million parents didn't claim their benefits meaning missing out on £2,095 each year.
To add an existing child to your claim, you will need to call the child benefit helpline number on 0300 200 3100, between Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm or on a Saturday between 8am and 4pm.