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Millions of households across England, Scotland, and Wales are overlooking £24 billion in financial assistance and support, according to recent analysis by Policy in Practice, a social policy and data analytics firm. The research highlights that the main obstacles preventing individuals from claiming these benefits and social tariffs are awareness, complexity, and stigma. These benefits cover a wide range of areas, from universal credit and pension credit to local authority support such as free school meals and council tax relief, as well as social tariffs from water, energy, and broadband providers.
For example, in London, Andrea Paterson encouraged her mother, Sally, to apply for attendance allowance on behalf of her father, Ian, after learning about the benefit on Radio 4’s Money Box. This additional support significantly eased the financial burden for Ian and Sally, especially after Ian’s passing in May. The higher rate of attendance allowance they received made a substantial impact on their finances, helping them cope with increasing energy costs. According to Andrea, the additional funds provided a sense of relief for her parents, who, like many elderly individuals, were concerned about financial stability.
Policy in Practice’s latest report estimates that a staggering £24.1 billion in benefits and social tariffs will remain unclaimed in the upcoming fiscal year. Founder and CEO of the organization, Deven Ghelani, emphasizes that awareness, complexity, and stigma are the primary hurdles preventing individuals from accessing the support they are entitled to. While progress has been made in increasing uptake rates for certain benefits, such as pension credit among older adults, there is still a long way to go in ensuring that all eligible individuals receive the financial assistance they need.
As the government in England, Scotland, and Wales is forecasted to allocate £316.1 billion to the social security system in the upcoming year, questions have been raised about the complexity of claiming benefits. Responding to criticism, Ghelani argues that the system should not be overly complicated, as it defeats the purpose of providing support to those in need. The government acknowledges the importance of promoting benefits through public campaigns and supporting services like Help to Claim. It is essential for individuals to explore potential eligibility for gateway benefits like pension credit, which can open doors to additional financial aid for those facing financial challenges
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