MPs discussed proposals to improve access to DWP benefits
You may want to check if you can claim more DWP benefits(Image: Getty)
MPs have spoken about proposals to enhance access to DWP benefits. People may want to do a quick check to see if they can claim any more Government support, in light of the discussion.
Various payments are available from the DWP, including Universal Credit and PIP (Personal Independence Payment) for those of working age, or Pension Credit and Attendance Allowance for those of state pension age. The Treasury Committee recently consulted with policy advocates about efforts to expand access to the benefits system. Discussions centred on the Government’s Financial Inclusion Strategy, a policy aimed at boosting financial engagement and awareness of the support available to people.
Helen Undy, chief executive of the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute, which was founded by financial journalist Martin Lewis, highlighted a crucial omission from the strategy. She said: “The bit that could have gone in this strategy that is missing is around how you address the £24billion a year of unclaimed benefits-that figure is from Policy in Practice.”
Financially excluded
She added: “We should be talking about how we increase access to income maximisation support for people who are financially excluded and who are living on low incomes. I would like to have seen that in the section of the strategy that talks about debt advice.”
She continued by noting that certain groups in particular could benefit from more assistance, to ensure they receive all the income they’re entitled to through the benefits system. Ms Undy urged: “Our research suggests that, particularly for people with more complex needs, like mental health problems, having access to an individual-face to face, ideally, or over the telephone-who can give them income maximisation support can be transformational.
“That is a key thing that I think is missing in the strategy, but that we could still go further on. I would like to see more on that.”
There are several benefit calculator tools available to help you determine if you’re eligible for additional benefits. For instance, there is one available on the Turn2us website.
State pension check
Another benefit worth exploring is your state pension entitlement. The full new state pension currently provides £241.30 weekly.
Payments increased by 4.8 per cent in April due to the triple lock. The policy ensures the state pension rises each April in line with the higher of 2.5 per cent, the rise in average earnings, or inflation.
Your entitlement is built up through your National Insurance (NI) payments. Typically, you require 35 years of NI contributions to receive the full amount.
People can check their projected amount using the state pension forecast tool on the Government website. This tool also indicates whether you can boost your entitlement by voluntarily purchasing more NI contributions.
It’s crucial to first check that buying extra contributions will genuinely increase your entitlement before paying for them, as this may not be the case.
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