Millions of households missing out on £24 billion in unclaimed benefits and support.

Millions Missing Out on Benefits and Government Support, Analysis Suggests A new analysis by Policy in Practice has revealed that seven million households across England, Scotland, and Wales are missing out on £24 billion worth of financial help and support due to unclaimed benefits and social tariffs. The research suggests that awareness, complexity, and stigma are the primary barriers preventing people from claiming these benefits. According to the study, millions of households are eligible for benefits such as universal credit, pension credit, local authority assistance including free school meals and council tax support, as well as social tariffs from water, energy, and broadband providers. However, many individuals and families remain unaware of their entitlement or struggle with the application process. Andrea Paterson, who persuaded her mother to apply for attendance allowance on behalf of her father, Ian, last December after hearing about the benefit on Radio 4's Money Box, said: "We didn't know what was available. If we had known earlier, it would have made a huge difference in our lives." The government has responded to the analysis by pointing out that public campaigns are run regularly to promote benefits and encourage people to claim them. A spokesperson for the Department for Work and Pensions stated: "We want to ensure that everyone who is eligible for benefits receives them. Our Help to Claim service provides free support to help people make a claim." However, critics argue that more needs to be done to address the root causes of unclaimed benefits. Labour MP Rachel Reeves said: "This analysis highlights the need for greater awareness and simplification of the benefits system. We must also do more to tackle poverty and inequality in our society." The analysis by Policy in Practice is based on data from 2019-2020 and suggests that £24 billion worth of financial help and support remains unclaimed each year. The researchers argue that this is a significant waste of public funds, which could be better spent on supporting those who need it most. In response to the findings, charities and advocacy groups are calling for increased investment in benefits awareness campaigns and simplification of the application process. A spokesperson for the charity Turn2us said: "We welcome this analysis and urge the government to take immediate action to address the issue of unclaimed benefits." As the debate continues over how to improve access to benefits, one thing is clear: millions of households are missing out on vital financial support due to a lack of awareness or complexity in the application process. The question now is what steps will be taken to address this issue and ensure that those who need it most receive the help they deserve. Background: The analysis by Policy in Practice covers benefits across England, Scotland, and Wales, including universal credit, pension credit, local authority assistance, and social tariffs from water, energy, and broadband providers. The study is based on data from 2019-2020 and suggests that £24 billion worth of financial help and support remains unclaimed each year. Additional Perspectives: A spokesperson for the Department for Work and Pensions stated: "We want to ensure that everyone who is eligible for benefits receives them. Our Help to Claim service provides free support to help people make a claim." Labour MP Rachel Reeves said: "This analysis highlights the need for greater awareness and simplification of the benefits system. We must also do more to tackle poverty and inequality in our society." A spokesperson for the charity Turn2us said: "We welcome this analysis and urge the government to take immediate action to address the issue of unclaimed benefits." *Reporting by Bbc.*