Households could uncover an average of an extra £555 a month in benefits and financial support using a free service being expanded to Virgin Money customers. Nationwide is making its Better Off Indicator available to Virgin Money customers, as well as its own customers and non-customers. The online tool helps people check whether they may be entitled to benefits, grants and other support.
Pressure on families during summer holidays
It comes as families face mounting pressure over the cost of feeding and entertaining children during the summer holidays. Research by Nationwide and charity Action for Children found 66% of parents receiving Universal Credit are worried about affording food during the holidays.
Many are considering borrowing to make ends meet. Some 63% said they were likely to use Buy Now Pay Later, while 60% said they could borrow from friends or family and 59% expected to rely on credit cards.
More than half said they were likely to delay paying essential household bills. And one in two could delay paying their rent or mortgage to cover essential costs.
Unclaimed support totals £24 billion
The warning comes against a backdrop of an estimated £24 billion in benefits and financial support going unclaimed every year.
Nationwide says its Better Off Indicator has helped more than 17,000 households identify potential entitlement to £115 million of additional annual support since it launched in 2025. Those households discovered an average of £555 a month in potential extra income. More than 550,000 people have also visited Nationwide's website and app for information about benefits and financial support.
Service available to all
The service, developed with social policy experts Policy in Practice, can be accessed online, through the Nationwide mobile app, over the phone or with help in a branch. It is available to people regardless of whether they bank with Nationwide or Virgin Money.
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."
Nationwide says an estimated seven million households are missing out on support they could be entitled to, with lack of awareness, complexity and stigma among the biggest barriers to claiming.
The free Better Off Indicator is available to everyone, whether or not they are a Nationwide or Virgin Money customer.
