Martin Lewis has urged all households with less than £40,000 of income to check if they are eligible for benefits amid estimates that seven million families are missing out on help. The Money Saving Expert website, which Mr Lewis founded, says that benefits only being available to the unemployed is a "common misconception".
In the website's latest newsletter, households across the UK with a combined income of less than £40,000 are urged to use a benefits calculator to see if they could get extra Government support with bills. The Money Saving Expert website says: "The main thing to remember is benefits are not just for the unemployed.
"State support is designed to help those in a range of situations, from those struggling on a low income, to new families, to those with long standing medical conditions. Even someone earning a high salary could be eligible for some help.
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"Government figures show that up to seven-and-a-half million households are missing out on around £15 billion a year of means-tested benefits. That's without including non-means-tested benefits, such as those for people with disabilities, so if you're in need of support it's well worth a 10-minute check."
The website offers its own benefits calculator to work out what people are due in low income support, as well as flagging up some of the other relevant benefits that may apply in some cases. But people do have to call the relevant Government office to confirm the support they are entitled to, which will be dependent on their exact circumstances.
The website adds: "It's a common misconception that benefits are only available if you're out of work – but even some families with an income of £50,000 or more can qualify for help. With the cost of living rising, it's more important than ever to know what you're entitled to."
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