Overview
- Late May research from Policy in Practice estimates more than 7 million households leave about £24 billion of entitled benefits unclaimed each year, with detailed shortfalls across Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Carer’s Allowance and Child Benefit.
- The report lists specific non‑take‑up figures including roughly 761,000 pensioners not claiming Pension Credit, about 1.67 million working‑age adults missing Universal Credit, 553,000 missing Carer’s Allowance and 742,000 families missing Child Benefit.
- Department for Work and Pensions data backs up the scale for Pension Credit, showing around 760,000 eligible people are not claiming a benefit that currently helps about 1.4 million recipients and averages roughly £4,300 a year.
- Charities and government guidance are urging immediate action by promoting free online benefits calculators, helplines and local advice services and highlighting Scotland‑only schemes such as Council Tax Reduction that can save up to £900 a year.
- Claimants are being reminded to report changes in circumstances, including leaving England, Scotland or Wales, because failure to do so can stop or reduce payments and may lead to penalties, and increased take‑up could quickly boost household incomes and access to other support.