Two-thirds of UK adults believe working out the eligibility of their benefits is confusing, research reveals.
Over three-quarters of the 2,000 respondents surveyed by Turn2us think it would be difficult to claim benefits if their circumstances meant they had to apply for financial support.
With almost £23bn in income-related benefits and support going unclaimed in the UK each year, the anti-poverty charity calls for simplified access to benefits for those who need it.
Just last year, eight in 10 pensioners entitled to state benefits missed out on an average claim worth £1,231 by not making a claim.
Even those who did make a claim were sometimes left short. One in 10 received less than they should have and lost an average of just under £500, according to Just Group’s annual State Benefits report.
The most common unclaimed pension benefits were the Guarantee Pension Credit, Savings Pension Credit, Council Tax Reduction and Universal Credit.
Turn2us created its own benefits calculator, which allows users to check if they are entitled to any kind of support from the Government, including Job Seeker’s Allowance, Income Support and Housing Benefit.
Current benefits system ‘unnecessarily difficult’
Thomas Lawson, Turn2us CEO, says that, last year alone, the organisation helped over one-and-a-half million unearth benefits they are entitled to have.
“At a time when so many of us are struggling to afford basic necessities, our benefits system is unnecessarily difficult to navigate”, Lawson said.
He added: “We are committed to transforming the way benefits are viewed, normalising claiming the support people are entitled to. We’ve crafted our benefits calculator to provide straightforward guidance, reducing both stress and confusion.”
“Over the long term, we will work with our partners and communities with lived experience to create a fairer, more accessible social security system that works for everyone.”
As well as the checker from the anti-poverty charity, there are alternatives for you to check how much benefits you could be owed, including the free Government checker.
Five ways to check your benefits
- The Government’s free, independent third-party benefit calculators – https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators.
- Local councils for information and financial help to pay rent or Council Tax.
- Other charities such as Citizens Advice and Age UK.
- Free, impartial and independent guidance is available through the Government-backed Pension Wise.
- Professional advisers will charge, but can provide regulated advice alongside information about benefit eligibility.
