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One of the reasons is that many people don't realise they qualify for them.

Benefits and other government support are not just for those who are out of work. Millions of households on low incomes are also losing out.

The most recent estimate by benefits experts at  was that about £15 billion was not being claimed.

In this article we cover:

Types of benefit

What is child benefit?

What is pension credit?

What is council tax support?

What is universal credit?

How to check your eligibility

Government support that's going unclaimed includes:

If you’re responsible for bringing up a child who’s under 16, or under 20 in approved education or training, you’ll get . This is an allowance that’s paid to you for each child (usually every 4 weeks).

There’s no limit to how many children you can claim child benefit for.  Only 1 person can get this benefit for a child.

If you’re over state pension age and on a low income, can give you extra money to help with living costs.

The charity says almost 4 in 10 people in the UK are missing out on pension credit payments they are entitled to. 

There are 2 types of pension credit:

You’ll need to meet the . The amount you receive is based on:

If you receive pension credit, you may also be able to claim other benefits. These can include a free TV licence and a council tax reduction. You can apply for pension credit online, over the phone or by post up to 4 months before you reach state pension age. Your application can also be backdated 3 months. 

If you’re eligible, council tax support (also known as ) can give you a discount on your bill. For example, you may be able to claim a council tax discount if you live alone.

Each council has its own scheme for council tax support. The amount you could get can vary depending on where you live.

There’s a .

Universal credit is a payment made by the government to help with living costs. It’s usually paid monthly. In Scotland you can choose to have it paid twice a month. 

It was brought in to replace benefits, including housing benefit, child tax credit, income support and working tax credit.

Universal credit is made up of a standard allowance and any extra elements you are eligible for. These include housing, childcare and disability. Your payment may be reduced if you have more than £6,000 in money, savings or investments. If you are under state pension age, the amount saved in your pension pot won’t affect how much universal credit you’re entitled to.

You can , or . 

To apply online, you’ll need:

Universal credit is paid in arrears. You can apply for an advance payment if you don’t have enough to live on while you wait.

You can check your eligibility using this free calculator:

The calculator can help you feel more confident about your finances.

It’s free to use and should only take 10 minutes to complete. You just enter details such as your income, dependent children and housing costs.

The details you give are anonymous and  doesn't collect any personal data, unless you choose to submit it.

Billions of pounds in government support go unclaimed every year because people don’t realise they qualify. By checking your eligibility, you can make sure you receive the financial help you’re entitled to. Use online calculators to review your options and gather your financial details to start your application today. 

We’ve made every effort to make sure this information is accurate but please make your own checks before doing anything.

This article was last updated on 15/06/2026, 08:38