Households using Nationwide's free Better Off Indicator have discovered an average of £555 per month in additional benefits, the building society has announced. The service has identified £115 million of extra annual support since June 2025.
Service expanded to Virgin Money customers
Nationwide is expanding the free Better Off Indicator to Virgin Money customers. The calculator, which is the first to be provided both by telephone and online, helps individuals discover what benefits they may qualify for. The service is available to everyone, including non-customers, and is developed in partnership with social policy experts Policy in Practice.
The announcement follows research by the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute highlighting obstacles preventing millions from checking their eligibility. An estimated £24 billion in benefits and support goes unclaimed every year in the UK.
Impact on households
Since launching in 2025, the Better Off Indicator has helped more than 17,000 households identify potential entitlement of £115 million in additional annual support. More than 550,000 customers have visited the Nationwide website and app to access information on benefits and financial support.
The expansion comes as households face financial pressures. Research from Nationwide and the charity Action for Children of over 2,000 parents receiving Universal Credit found that nearly two thirds (66%) are worried about affording food during the summer holidays. Many expect to resort to borrowing: 63% are likely to use Buy Now Pay Later, 60% may borrow from friends or family, and 59% are likely to rely on credit cards. More than half said they are likely to delay paying essential bills, while one in two could delay paying their rent or mortgage.
Accessible through multiple channels
The Better Off Indicator can be accessed online, over the phone, or with support in branch, ensuring help is available to people who may be digitally excluded or lack confidence online. It is also available on the Nationwide mobile app for customers.
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."
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 benefits. People can access the free Better Off Indicator regardless of whether they bank with Nationwide or Virgin Money.
