Turn2us responds to unclaimed benefits statistics

In response to the Governments release of statistics on welfare benefit take-ups, Pritie Billimoria, Head of Communications at Turn2us, said:

“At a time when a rising number of people are living poverty, it is incredibly worrying to see over £10 billion of benefits are left unclaimed.

“Welfare benefits are a safety net and too many people are slipping through. It is entirely unnecessary that young families are facing eviction, working parents are skipping meals so their children can eat and people are going without the very basics such as heating.

“People all too often presume they’re getting all the financial support available or that they’re not entitled to anything and many also fear that their claim will be rejected.

“It can be difficult to know where to turn for support and daunting to ask for help. But anyone on a low income needs to regularly check that they’re getting all the help available to them.”

Notes to editor:

• Unclaimed benefits include Pension Credit (£3.5 billion), Housing Benefit (£4.2 billion) and Income Support/Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (£2.4 billion).
• The average amount of unclaimed Pension Credit amounts to £2,500 per year for each family missing out.
• The average amount of unclaimed Housing Benefit amounts to £3,000 per year for each family missing out.
• The average amount of unclaimed Pension Credit amounts to £4,500 per year for each family missing out.