Are You Missing Out on Tax Credits and Benefits You're Entitled To?
Published 1st of April 2013·Updated 16 April 2026
Reviewed by: Reviewed for accuracy April 2026
Billions of pounds in benefits and tax credits go unclaimed every year in the UK. Policy in Practice estimated that around £23 billion in means-tested benefits went unclaimed in 2022/23. If your circumstances have changed recently, such as having a child, losing a job, or reaching pension age, you may be entitled to financial support you are not currently receiving.
Short Summary
Tax credits are being replaced by Universal Credit for most new claimants, but existing tax credit claimants are still being migrated across. If you receive a migration notice from HMRC, act on it promptly or your payments could stop.
Working-age benefits including Universal Credit, Child Benefit, and Carer's Allowance are among the most commonly underclaimed. Pensioners frequently miss out on Pension Credit, which can unlock additional benefits such as free TV licences.
You can check your entitlement for free using the government's benefits calculator at GOV.UK or through tools provided by charities such as Turn2us and EntitledTo.
Citizens Advice can help you claim what you are owed and may be able to help you access backdated payments if your circumstances changed some time ago.
What is Universal Credit and who can claim it?
Universal Credit has replaced most working-age means-tested benefits for new claimants, including Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Housing Benefit, Income Support, and Jobseeker's Allowance. You can claim Universal Credit if you are on a low income, unemployed, or unable to work due to illness or disability. Your household income and savings are taken into account. Single claimants can generally have savings of up to £16,000 and still qualify, though savings above £6,000 reduce the amount you receive. Apply through GOV.UK.
Are tax credits still available?
Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit still exist for people already claiming them, but HMRC is migrating existing claimants to Universal Credit through a process called managed migration. If you receive a migration notice, you must claim Universal Credit by the deadline on the letter. Missing the deadline means your tax credit payments stop automatically. If you have not received a notice but believe you were entitled to tax credits before Universal Credit launched in your area, contact HMRC to check your position.
What is Pension Credit and who qualifies?
Pension Credit tops up the weekly income of people over State Pension age who have a low income. As of 2024/25, single pensioners whose income falls below £218.15 per week can have their income topped up to that level. Couples with a joint income below £332.95 per week can also claim. Pension Credit also acts as a gateway to other benefits including free NHS dental treatment, help with NHS costs, and (for those born before 25 September 1957) the Winter Fuel Payment. Roughly 850,000 eligible pensioners do not claim Pension Credit, according to the Department for Work and Pensions.
Which benefits are most commonly underclaimed?
| Benefit | Who can claim | Approximate value |
|---|---|---|
| Universal Credit | Working-age adults on low income | Varies by circumstances |
| Pension Credit | Over State Pension age on low income | Up to £218.15/week (single) |
| Child Benefit | Parents or guardians of under-16s (or under-20 in education) | £25.60/week for first child (2024/25) |
| Carer's Allowance | Those caring 35+ hours/week for someone with a disability | £81.90/week (2024/25) |
| Council Tax Reduction | Low-income households | Up to 100% of the council tax bill |
| Free School Meals | Children of qualifying low-income families | Around £500/year per child |
Figures are approximate and subject to annual change. Check GOV.UK for current rates.
What other financial support might you be entitled to?
Beyond the main benefits, several targeted payments exist:
Carer's Allowance pays £81.90 per week (2024/25 rate) to people who spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone with a severe disability. You do not need to be related to the person you care for.
Disability Living Allowance (for children) and Personal Independence Payment (for adults) provide tax-free support for people with long-term physical or mental health conditions that affect daily living or mobility. These are not means-tested; your income and savings do not affect eligibility.
Bereavement Support Payment replaces the older Bereavement Allowance for those who lose a spouse or civil partner. It provides a lump sum of up to £3,500 followed by monthly payments of up to £350 for 18 months, depending on whether you have children.
Maternity Allowance is available to pregnant women who do not qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay, including the self-employed and those who have recently changed jobs.
How do you check what you are entitled to?
The quickest way is to use a free benefits calculator. The following are reliable and widely used:
- GOV.UK benefits calculator - covers Universal Credit and most working-age benefits
- EntitledTo (entitledto.co.uk) - comprehensive means-tested benefits check
- Turn2us (turn2us.org.uk) - also includes charitable grants
These calculators ask about your household income, savings, housing costs, and family circumstances, then show which benefits you may be eligible for. The process takes around 10 to 15 minutes.
If you would rather speak to someone, Citizens Advice offers free, impartial advice. You can also contact your local council for help with council-administered support such as the Household Support Fund and Council Tax Reduction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I claim backdated benefits if I missed out in the past?
Yes, in some cases. Most benefits can be backdated for one month if you had a good reason for not claiming sooner. Pension Credit can be backdated for three months. Citizens Advice or a benefits adviser can help you make a backdating claim if your circumstances changed some time ago and you were entitled to support.
Does claiming benefits affect my credit score?
Claiming benefits does not directly affect your credit score. Credit reference agencies such as Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion do not record benefit claims. However, if low income means you have missed payments on credit agreements, those missed payments will affect your score.
Can I claim benefits if I am self-employed?
Yes. Self-employed people can claim Universal Credit, provided their income and savings fall within the qualifying thresholds. HMRC applies a Minimum Income Floor for self-employed claimants who have been trading for over 12 months, which assumes a minimum level of income for the purpose of calculating your award. A benefits adviser can explain how this affects your specific situation.
What happens if I am overpaid benefits by mistake?
HMRC or the DWP will usually ask you to repay overpayments, even if the error was not your fault. Repayments are typically deducted from future benefit payments. If you cannot afford the repayment rate proposed, you can ask for it to be reduced. Citizens Advice can help you negotiate.
I am a single parent - what additional support can I claim?
Single parents may be entitled to Universal Credit (including the childcare element if you are working), Child Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, free school meals, and the two-year-old free childcare entitlement. The charity Gingerbread (gingerbread.org.uk) provides specialist advice for single parents on navigating the benefits system.
What is the Household Support Fund? The Household Support Fund is a government grant administered by local councils to help low-income households with food, energy, and essential costs. Councils decide how to distribute the money locally, so provision varies by area. Contact your local council or check their website to find out what is available in your area.