Households are being encouraged to check whether they could be missing out on benefits, grants and other financial support worth hundreds of pounds each month. More than 17,000 households using Nationwide's free Better Off Indicator have identified potential entitlement to additional support averaging £555 per month.
Since the service launched in 2025, it has helped households identify potential additional support worth £115 million a year. Nationwide is now expanding the service to Virgin Money customers, but people do not need to bank with either provider to use the free checker.
How the Better Off Indicator works
Developed in partnership with social policy experts Policy in Practice, the Better Off Indicator can identify benefits, grants and other support people may be entitled to. It is available online, over the phone and with support in branches, meaning people who are digitally excluded or less confident using online services can also access it.
Nationwide said an estimated seven million households across the UK could be missing out on financial support they are entitled to, with around £24 billion in benefits and support going unclaimed each year.
Financial pressure on families
The expansion comes as new research suggests families receiving Universal Credit are facing significant financial pressure during the school summer holidays. A survey of more than 2,000 parents receiving Universal Credit found 66 per cent are worried about being able to afford food during the summer break.
Some 63 per cent said they were likely to use Buy Now Pay Later to cover costs, while 60 per cent expected to borrow from friends or family and 59 per cent said they were likely to use credit cards. More than half (56 per cent) said they were likely to delay paying household bills, while half could put off paying their rent or mortgage to meet essential summer holiday costs.
Nationwide's response
Kathryn Townsend, Head of Customer Vulnerability at Nationwide, said: “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.”
How to use the free benefits service
The Better Off Indicator is available to everyone, including people who are not Nationwide or Virgin Money customers. People provide information about their household and financial circumstances and the service identifies benefits, grants and other financial help they may be entitled to claim.
Nationwide customers can access the service through its website and mobile app, while help is also available by phone or in a branch.
