Martin Lewis has urged anyone with a household income under £40,000 to carry out a 10-minute check to see whether they could be claiming benefits.
During a special episode of The Martin Lewis Money Show on ITV, Martin explained that many people could be missing out on extra cash - simply because they assume they won't be entitled to financial support from the Government. However, the money expert said that this assumption means there are currently £19bn worth of benefits going unclaimed, which could be vital for many households amid the cost of living crisis.
The "emergency" live episode of the show was dedicated to the escalating mortgage crisis, in which Martin encouraged those who are struggling with rising costs to contact their lender if they are having financial difficulties as they will be obliged to offer help and advice to borrowers. Martin went on to emphasise the importance of claiming the help you're entitled to, whether that be Universal Credit, Child Benefit, PIP, Attendance Allowance or other benefits, the Daily Record reports.
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Martin explained to viewers: "If you've got household income of up to £40,000, especially at the higher level if you've got kids or a high rent, get yourself on to a benefits calculator and spend 10 minutes to see if you're missing out on any entitlement. £19bn of entitlements are not being claimed by people who are due them, so it's worth the check."
If you're on a low income and qualify for means-tested benefits, you will likely need to apply for Universal Credit - a monthly benefit designed to support people struggling with their living and housing costs. However, Universal Credit is just one of the benefits available to support those struggling, and in some cases you may be able to claim multiple benefits at the same time, the MoneySavingExpert website explains.
You can use the 10-minute Benefits Calculator tool on the MoneySavingExpert website to check whether you could be entitled to extra cash. As MSE points out, help isn't just available to those out of work - there is also support for those on low incomes, as well as additional help if you have children, caring responsibilities, or a long-term health condition.
Martin also advised during his show: "Do a budget to work out where your spending goes, start with pain-free savings to find out whether you can get the same for less." This includes looking at all household outgoings such as mobile phones, broadband, and subscription services.
