New figures reveal that over £2 billion in benefits and other support is going unclaimed in Wales this year. Data analytics company Policy in Practice found that hundreds of thousands of households are missing out on extra income because they are not claiming the benefits and support they are eligible for. Policy in Practice estimates that across Britain, at least £23 billion is going unclaimed this year. The figure of £2.06 billion in unclaimed support in Wales could, however, be an underestimate as it does not include disability benefits.
There may be additional barriers to claiming in Wales which result in higher proportions of unclaimed benefits, such as poverty, an older population, digital exclusion and rurality, according to Rachel Walker, Director of Policy and Research at Policy in Practice. Barriers to claiming the right level of support can also include a lack of awareness of what is available as well as the complexity of the welfare system. Claiming what you are eligible for can make a “massive difference” to people who have been struggling with rising prices over the last few years, said Rhys Lewis, adviser with Caerphilly Blaenau Gwent Citizens’ Advice.
In Caerphilly and Blaenau Gwent areas alone, £76 million worth of benefits and other support is left unclaimed. The types of benefits and support left unclaimed include Universal Credit, support funded by the Welsh government and delivered by local authorities like council tax support, and ways of reducing costs such as receiving certain benefits that qualify for reduced charges for services like water and broadband. Claiming the right amount of support can mean less demand on public services as well as being life-changing for those who are struggling.
Campaigns and a helpline promoting benefits have been launched by the Department for Work and Pensions to encourage people to find out what they are eligible for. The Welsh government has implemented income maximisation projects encouraging people to contact Advicelink Cymru and “claim what’s yours
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