The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) confirmed earlier this year that no further cost of living payments will be made in 2025. After several rounds of one-off payments issued between 2022 and 2024, which aimed to ease the financial burden caused by soaring energy bills and inflation, households are now left to explore other avenues of financial support.
As the cost of living continues to remain elevated, there are still opportunities for eligible individuals to access extra help through unclaimed benefits and discounts.
According to
Daily Record, many individuals may not be aware of the potential support available through these options.
Unclaimed Benefits, Savings, and Cost of Living Support
Many people across the UK may be missing out on significant support, which could help offset some of their everyday expenses. For example, households in Scotland may be eligible for the
Council Tax Reduction scheme, offering savings of up to
£850 a year.
In December 2024, around
458,470 households (about one in five) were found to be eligible for this reduction, but many did not claim it.
Pension Credit: A Missed Opportunity for Many
Older individuals on low incomes are often eligible for Pension Credit, an income boost that could provide an average of
£4,300 annually.
According to the DWP, around 760,000 people are eligible for this means-tested benefit but have not claimed it. It’s important to note that even receiving a small award, such as £1 per week, can unlock other support and benefits.
Health-Related Support: More Help for Those in Need
Those under the State Pension age who are living with health conditions may qualify for Personal Independence Payments (PIP) or
Adult Disability Payments, which can be worth between £29.20 and £187.45 every four weeks.
This equates to between £116.80 and £749.80 over a four-week period. Similarly, individuals over the State Pension age with health issues may be eligible for Pension Age Disability Payment or
Attendance Allowance, with weekly payments ranging from £73.90 to £110.40, translating to £295.60 to £441.60 over four weeks.
How to Check for Eligibility
If you suspect that you may be eligible for unclaimed benefits or Cost of Living support, a good first step is to use one of the many free and confidential online benefits calculators. These tools provide a quick and easy way to determine what support you may be missing out on.
They assess a wide range of benefits, including Universal Credit, Crisis Grants, Carer’s Allowance, and Council Tax Reduction. Popular online calculators include those provided by Turn2us, Entitledto, and
GOV.UK.
