While more than seven million households are struggling to make ends meet, exclusive figures shared with The Sun reveal that £23billion worth of means-testedThe average household could be £2,700 a year better off if they get all they are due, according to an analysis of official data by organisation Policy in Practice.
“Those with savings of under £16,000, who rent and have children should definitely be checking regardless of what their earnings are.”You could be missing out on £2,700 a year Joanna Elson, chief executive of Independent Age, says: “With 2.1million older people living in poverty, it has never been more important for older people on a low income to receive everything they are entitled to.”
You'll also need to have a record of things you pay out for, such as rent, mortgage, childcare and bills.can also help you put a money plan in place and support you to apply for the benefits you are entitled to.Nearly £2.3billion worth of Carer’s Allowance is going unclaimed each financial year, with around 530,000 full-time, low paid carers missing out.
Unpaid carers save the NHS and social care £162billion a year with around 600 people a day giving up work to care for someone.The average claim for working age council tax support is £1,464, while the support for pensioners is worth an average of £1,670. To find out if you may be entitled to Council Tax Reduction, contact your local council or put your postcode into an online benefits calculator.But more than nine in ten families entitled to help with their broadband costs aren’t claiming it.
Child benefit is worth £25.60 a week for the first child plus £16.95 a week for other children – with the average claim worth £1,970 a year. Deven Ghelani from Policy in Practice says there are a number of reasons that benefits are going unclaimed.