Thousands of households have been pleasantly surprised to find extra cash payments from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) arriving in their bank accounts. These funds represent benefits many recipients did not realise they were eligible for, sparking calls for more low-income families to check if they too could claim additional financial help to manage bills and ease the pressures of the rising cost of living.
More than 17,000 households have already discovered their entitlement to extra cash by using the Nationwide Building Society’s Better Off Indicator tool. On average, those who have accessed this support have claimed an additional £555 per month, a sum that has made a meaningful impact on their household finances.
Importantly, the service is available not only to Nationwide customers but also to the wider public. Recently, the Better Off Indicator has been extended to include Virgin Money customers as well.
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Experts estimate that millions of households could be missing out on vital financial assistance that would help cover household bills and improve overall financial stability. The Better Off Indicator helps individuals identify benefits, grants, and other support they might be entitled to, whether they are already receiving benefits such as Universal Credit or have not previously claimed any support.
The tool can be accessed in multiple ways - online, over the phone, or with in-branch assistance - ensuring it is accessible to a broad range of people.
Kathryn Townsend, head of customer vulnerability at Nationwide, commented: “Too many people are missing out on financial support simply because they don’t realise they’re eligible or find the system difficult to navigate. At a time when many households are struggling to make ends meet, even a relatively small increase in income can make a real difference. By making the Better Off Indicator available through multiple channels – online, by phone and in branch – we’re helping remove barriers and making it easier for everyone to access the support they may be entitled to. Expanding the service to Virgin Money customers means even more people will be able to benefit from free, personalised support to understand what help is available.”