Benefits You Might Be Missing: Use a Free Benefits Calculator
If you are looking for cost of living help UK, checking the benefits you are entitled to is a simple first step before you look at other support.
A free benefits calculator can show what you may qualify for, so you know what to ask about or apply for, and it is a useful place to start.
Below you will find why people miss out, how to use a calculator and links to official advice. Nothing on this page is a decision about your claim.
Why so many people miss out on benefits
There are several common reasons. Some people assume they will not qualify, or that benefits are only for certain groups. Others find the rules hard to follow, because eligibility can depend on income, savings, housing costs, health and who lives in the household. Rules can also change, so a check you made a few years ago may be out of date.
- Assuming you do not qualify: people often rule themselves out without checking
- Complex rules: entitlement depends on several things at once, so it is hard to judge by eye
- Not knowing a benefit exists: some payments and discounts are not widely advertised
- Changes in circumstances: a new job, a move or a change in health can change what you can claim
Checking does not commit you to anything. It only tells you which benefits to look at more closely, and where to apply.
How to use a free benefits calculator
Have details about your income, savings, housing costs and the people you live with to hand.
Use the free Turn2us benefits calculator and answer as accurately as you can.
Note the benefits it suggests and treat them as a list to follow up.
Claim through GOV.UK or your council, and keep a copy of what you send.
If you are unsure about a question, a local advice service can help you with it. You can find options in the last section of this page.
A few tips make the result more useful. Use current figures rather than estimates where you can, include everyone who lives in your household, and run the calculator again if your circumstances change. Do not pay anyone to run a benefits check for you, because the official tools and advice services are free to use. Take your time, and save or print your results so you can come back to them when you apply.
Benefits most people forget to claim (Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Council Tax Reduction)
| Benefit | What GOV.UK says | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| Universal Credit | A payment to help with your living costs. You may be able to get it if you are on a low income, out of work or cannot work. | GOV.UK: Universal Credit |
| Pension Credit | Extra money to help with living costs if you are over State Pension age and on a low income. Getting it can open the door to other help. | GOV.UK: Pension Credit |
| Council Tax Reduction | You apply to your local council, and you get a discount on your bill if you are eligible. | GOV.UK: Council Tax Reduction |
Universal Credit is not only for people who are out of work. GOV.UK says you may be able to get it if you are on a low income, so being in work does not rule you out. Pension Credit is aimed at people over State Pension age on a low income, and GOV.UK says that other income, savings or owning your home does not automatically rule you out. Council Tax Reduction, sometimes called Council Tax Support, is run by your local council, so the details depend on where you live.
If you get Pension Credit, GOV.UK says you can also get other help, such as Housing Benefit for renters, Council Tax Reduction and a free TV licence if you are 75 or over. That is one reason why it is worth checking even if you think the amount would be small.
These are examples, not a full list. The calculator can point to other benefits that apply to your situation.
Help with bills and the cost of living
The Warm Home Discount Scheme is a one-off discount on an electricity bill. GOV.UK says that, if you are eligible, your electricity supplier applies it to your bill. Check the GOV.UK page for the current opening dates and eligibility, because they change from year to year.
Citizens Advice has a guide to help with the cost of living that points to grants, support with bills and community services such as pantries and larders. Your council may also have a crisis support scheme, which is covered in our guide to getting a food bank voucher.
Your council may also help in a crisis. In England, the Crisis and Resilience Fund replaced the Household Support Fund from 1 April 2026, and councils decide how their local scheme works. We explain how to find it in our guide to getting a food bank voucher, and you can read the GOV.UK guidance for the full detail.
Support with bills is not only about benefits. If you are worried about paying a bill, contact the company early to ask what help it offers, and keep a note of what you are told.
Where to get free advice
If you want to talk to someone, Citizens Advice and Turn2us offer free information, and your own council can tell you what local support exists. Advisers can help you check your options, fill in forms and understand any letters you receive.
An advice session usually starts with questions about your household, your income and your regular costs. The adviser can then explain which benefits and schemes may be relevant, help you complete forms and tell you what to expect next. You do not need to have all the answers in advance.
Before you go, write down your questions and gather any letters or bills you have. It helps to keep a record of who you spoke to and when.
If a benefits decision does not look right, you can ask the organisation that made it to explain how it was reached. An adviser can help you understand the letter and what your options are.
This is an independent information website. We are not a food bank, charity, advice service or government body, and we are not affiliated with the Trussell organisation, IFAN, Your Local Pantry, Citizens Advice, Turn2us, GOV.UK or the NHS. We do not give out food, vouchers or benefits and we cannot tell you whether you qualify. Rules differ between areas and can change, so always check with the organisation or your council before you rely on anything here. Information was checked against official sources (GOV.UK, Citizens Advice, Trussell, IFAN and Turn2us) on 14 October 2026.
