Millions of households on Universal Credit and Pension Credit could be missing out on hundreds of pounds a year by failing to claim the extra support they are entitled to, according to a new report highlighted by the Mirror.
Receiving either benefit can act as a passport to a long list of additional discounts and rebates, from cheaper broadband to reductions on council tax and water bills. Yet take-up across these schemes remains stubbornly low, leaving many families paying full price when they do not have to.
One of the biggest savings comes through social tariffs offered by broadband and mobile providers. These cut-price packages are open to people on means-tested benefits and can knock more than £200 off a typical annual bill, though customers usually have to ask their provider to switch them across.
Households on Universal Credit may also qualify for help with their council tax, with some local authorities offering reductions of up to 100 per cent depending on circumstances. Water companies run similar schemes through the WaterSure cap and social tariffs, which limit annual charges for those on low incomes with high essential usage.
Pension Credit, often described as the gateway benefit for older people, unlocks free TV licences for those aged 75 and over, help with NHS dental costs, the Warm Home Discount and Cold Weather Payments. Department for Work and Pensions figures suggest around 800,000 eligible pensioners still fail to claim it.
Money advice charities say the rules can be confusing and many people wrongly assume they earn or own too much to qualify. Pension Credit, for instance, can top up a single person's weekly income to around £227 and is paid even to those with modest savings or a small private pension.
Anyone unsure where they stand is being urged to use the free benefits calculators run by Turn2us, Policy in Practice and entitledto, which check eligibility in a few minutes without sharing personal details. Citizens Advice and Age UK can also help with applications.
With energy and food costs still squeezing budgets across the country, campaigners say a short claim now could mean meaningful savings stretching well into next winter.