Martin Lewis issues urgent warning to check if you’re missing out on free government cash

MARTIN Lewis has issued an urgent warning to millions of households who are missing out on vital benefits to make a claim.

Every year, people lose out on an estimated £23billion in benefits and support due to stigma or the assumption that they are not eligible.

In the MoneySaving Expert newsletter Martin Lewis said: “Billions in benefits goes unclaimed each year – most by workers or pensioners who have paid into the system for yonks and are in need of help.

‘Even some with higher incomes are due – don’t assume ‘it’s not me’.”

The consumer champion has rounded up seven benefits that are massively underclaimed.

Here we explain whether you are eligible.

Universal Credit

Around 1.4 million people miss out on an average of up to £5,800 in Universal Credit each year.

The monthly benefit is a “catch-all” for those of working age who have low or no income and living and housing costs.

Households with incomes of up to £35,000 a year are the most likely to be missing out.

But if you have kids then high childcare costs and rent could mean you may still be eligible if your household income is up to £60,000 a year.

You can make a claim through the Government’s website or by calling the Universal Credit Helpline on 0800 328 5644.

You can check if you are eligible here.

Attendance Allowance

Up to 1.1 million pensioners are missing out on at least £3,778 a year in Attendance Allowance.

This benefit is not mean-tested and gives a fixed payout of £3,778 a year, or £5,644 a year to cover some of the cost of providing care to someone who needs it.

Those who needed help with day to day tasks such as washing or eating and have done so for more than six months could be missing out.

You can make a claim if you need this support during the day or at night.

If you have a condition such as Parkinson’s, dementia, terminal illness or blindness then you could be missing out.

You can apply for Attendance Allowance through the Government’s website or by post.

For help with your application, contact the Attendance Allowance helpline on 0800 731 0122.

Council Tax Support

Up to 2.25 million people miss out on up to £1,500 a year in council tax support.

Each council runs its own scheme, so the amount you can get will depend on where you live.

In some regions it can cut your Council Tax bill by up to 100%.

If you qualify for means-tested benefits such as Universal Credit or Pension Credit then you are often due a Council Tax reduction.

But these are not made automatically and you must apply, which is why so many people miss out.

To apply you will need to contact your local council.

You can find your local council here.

Carer’s allowance

Approximately 530,000 carers miss out on up to £4,250 each year.

Carer’s allowance is a specific payment for people who act as unpaid carers.

This can include a family member, spouse, child or even someone that you are not related to.

You are likely to be missing out if you care for someone who usually gets Attendance Allowance, a Personal Independence Payment or Disability Living Allowance.

You may also be eligible if you spend more than 35 hours a week helping with everyday tasks such as washing or cooking and earn less than £151 a week or have a low State Pension.

If you care for someone for less than 35 hours a week then you may be able to claim Carer’s Credit, which helps build National Insurance years to give you a greater State Pension.

You can also back-date it, which could boost the amount you receive even more.

You can check if you can apply here.

To apply visit the Government website.

Pension Credit

The Government estimates that around 760,000 pensioner households are missing out on Pension Credit, which is worth £3,900 a year on average.

Pension credit tops up your income.

It is still worth claiming even if you are only due 50p a week as it opens the door for other support such as the Winter Fuel Payment, Council Tax Reduction and free TV licence.

It’s worth checking if you could claim it if you are aged over 66 and have a weekly income of below £235 (£350 if you are a couple and are both State Pension age).

You can apply through the Government’s website or by calling the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234.

Housing Benefit

Around 294,000 pensioners miss out on an average of £4,400 a year in help with their rent.

For those who are eligible and aged under 66 support for housing costs forms part of Universal Credit.

This is not the case with those of State Pension age.

Renters who are eligible for Pension Credit and are on a low income are likely to be missing out.

When you apply for Pension Credit you can usually make an application for Housing Benefit at the same time.

You can apply for Pension Credit online or contact the Pension Service to claim.

You can call the Pension Service on 0800 99 1234.

The Pension Service will then send details of your claim for Housing Benefit to your council.

If you already get Pension Credit you can apply through your local council.

Free School Meals

Approximately 470,000 families are missing out on free school meals, which are worth £490 a year.

Free school meals are served to eligible under-18s who are still in school or college.

Many people on Universal Credit with very low or no income are missing out as they do not realise they can only apply once they have received their first benefit payment.

Others lose out as they do not know they may need to re-register at the start of every year for each one of their children.

You can check if your child can get free school meals in England here.

To apply you will need to contact your local authority.

Can I get other support through my benefits?

Claiming benefits often opens the door to other discounts such as broadband social tariffs.

If you are successful in claiming any of these benefits then you should check if you are eligible.

If you are on a low income but do not qualify for benefits then help is still available.

You may still qualify for a water social tariff, so check with your supplier.

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.

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