Millions Left Behind: £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 are missing out on £24 billion of financial help and support due to unclaimed benefits and social tariffs. The research, covering England, Scotland, and Wales, highlights awareness, complexity, and stigma as the main barriers preventing people from claiming these benefits. According to the report, millions of individuals are eligible for benefits such as universal credit, pension credit, and local authority assistance, including free school meals and council tax support. Additionally, social tariffs from water, energy, and broadband providers are also going unclaimed. The government has acknowledged the issue, pointing to public campaigns aimed at promoting benefits and highlighting the free Help to Claim service. However, critics argue that more needs to be done to raise awareness and simplify the claims process. Andrea Paterson, who helped her mother apply for attendance allowance on behalf of her father, Ian, last year, said: "We were unaware of the benefit until we heard about it on Radio 4's Money Box. If we hadn't applied, I'm not sure what would have happened." The Policy in Practice analysis suggests that a significant proportion of those missing out on benefits are vulnerable individuals, including low-income families and people with disabilities. The government has faced criticism for its handling of benefit claims, with some arguing that the system is overly complex and difficult to navigate. In response, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has stated: "We have run public campaigns to promote benefits and encourage people to claim what they are entitled to." However, opposition politicians argue that more needs to be done to address the issue. Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, Rachel Reeves, said: "This report highlights a major failure of government policy. We need to see a fundamental overhaul of the benefit system to make it simpler and more accessible for those who need it most." The Policy in Practice analysis is based on data from 2020 and 2021, with the researchers estimating that £24 billion worth of benefits went unclaimed over this period. As the government continues to grapple with the issue, experts are calling for a more comprehensive approach to raising awareness and simplifying the claims process. With millions of households still missing out on vital support, it remains to be seen whether the government will take decisive action to address the problem. Background: The Policy in Practice analysis is based on data from 2020 and 2021, with the researchers estimating that £24 billion worth of benefits went unclaimed over this period. The report highlights awareness, complexity, and stigma as the main barriers preventing people from claiming these benefits. Additional Perspectives: Critics argue that more needs to be done to raise awareness and simplify the claims process. Opposition politicians are calling for a fundamental overhaul of the benefit system to make it simpler and more accessible for those who need it most. Current Status and Next Developments: The government has acknowledged the issue, pointing to public campaigns aimed at promoting benefits and highlighting the free Help to Claim service. However, critics argue that more needs to be done to address the problem. As the government continues to grapple with the issue, experts are calling for a more comprehensive approach to raising awareness and simplifying the claims process. *Reporting by Bbc.*