Benefits calculator leads to £43 million of unclaimed money being identified
Caithness residents should check a new online tool to find out if they are losing out on entitled benefits.
The tool has identified £43 million in unclaimed money over the past year.
Advice Direct Scotland’s (ADS) benefits calculator is tailored for Scotland and allows people to check their entitlement to both devolved and reserved benefits – the first to do so.
New figures show that it was used by 56,000 people in the past 12 months, with over £43 million of unclaimed money identified.
The tool, available at www.advice.scot, is designed to reduce financial hardship by ensuring people are claiming all the support they are entitled to, as around half a million Scots do not.
It takes users through a series of simple and easy to answer questions about their personal circumstances and calculates what – if any – benefits they may be able to claim.
Benefits checked by the tool include Universal Credit, the Scottish Child Payment, Council Tax Reduction, Pension Credit, the Job Start Payment, the Carer’s Allowance Supplement, and Universal Credit, as well as many others.
ADS has launched a new campaign which is designed to highlight all the assistance available, and to ensure people know what they are entitled to.
Expert advisers can give information and help applicants complete forms if they have queries or concerns.
For more information, please visit www.advicedirect.scot or contact 0808 800 9060.
The charity also offers free and practical advice on a range of issues including debt and money problems, housing, understanding energy bills, and consumer rights.