UK Households Uncover £560 Monthly Unclaimed Benefits via Nationwide Tool

Thousands of UK households are discovering an average of £560 in monthly unclaimed benefits through a free online and telephone tool launched by Nationwide Building Society, the country's largest mutual, data released this week shows.

The Better Off calculator, introduced in June 2024 in partnership with social policy experts Policy in Practice, helps users determine eligibility for Department for Work and Pensions benefits. Since its rollout, more than 18,000 individuals have used the service, with over 11,000 households identifying potential entitlements totaling £75.3 million annually. Nationwide officials noted that the tool simplifies a process often hindered by complexity, enabling quicker access to support amid rising living costs.

Available to anyone regardless of whether they bank with Nationwide, the calculator assesses eligibility for benefits such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Carer's Allowance, Child Benefit, Personal Independence Payment and council tax reductions. Users complete a short questionnaire online or speak with specialists by phone, a feature that makes Nationwide the first financial institution to address digital exclusion in this way. For those...