Nationwide's Benefits Calculator Delivers £560 Monthly Boost to Thousands
Families across the UK are discovering an average monthly windfall of £560 thanks to a pioneering tool launched by high street building society Nationwide. The 'Better Off' calculator, designed to identify unclaimed benefits, has already helped 11,000 households uncover a staggering £75.3 million in annual support since its introduction in June 2025.
Breaking Down Barriers to Financial Aid
Nationwide has become the first financial institution to offer this service both online and over the phone, directly addressing issues of digital exclusion. This dual approach ensures that individuals who cannot or prefer not to use digital platforms can still access crucial financial guidance. The calculator, available to anyone regardless of whether they are Nationwide customers, was developed in collaboration with social policy data experts Policy in Practice.
This initiative comes at a critical time, with an estimated £24 billion in benefits going unclaimed each year in the UK. The launch follows recent research from the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute, which highlighted the significant barriers preventing millions from checking their entitlement.
How the Calculator Works
More than 18,000 people have submitted calculations through the tool, with over 11,000 households finding they qualify for additional support. The process is straightforward, taking just minutes to complete, and helps users navigate what can often be a daunting and complex system.
Kathryn Townsend, Head of Customer Vulnerability at Nationwide, emphasised the importance of this service: "Millions of people across the UK are missing out on vital financial support they are entitled to - simply because the system is too complex to understand and access. That's why we're calling on the government to simplify the system, raise public awareness and help challenge the stigma that still prevents too many people from seeking the support they're owed."
Key Barriers to Benefit Access
Nationwide, in partnership with Policy in Practice, has identified three primary obstacles that ministers must address to improve benefit uptake:
- Awareness: Many individuals are completely unaware they are eligible for various benefits.
- Complexity: Navigating multiple forms, criteria, and applications can be overwhelming and time-consuming.
- Stigma: Negative perceptions persist, despite the fact that 40 per cent of benefit payments go to people in work.
Who Might Be Eligible?
Contrary to common assumptions, benefit eligibility extends far beyond those who are unemployed. Many people who could qualify for support simply do not realise it. You might be eligible for benefits if you:
- Are out of work or have a partner who is unemployed
- Rent your home
- Have children
- Have a disability or care for someone with a disability
- Are receiving the state pension
Policy in Practice, a social policy, software, and analytics company, works with over 350 organisations across sectors including Financial Services, Housing, and Utilities, as well as a third of all Local Authorities. Their award-winning betterofcalculator.co.uk is featured on the gov.uk site and helps people access vital support daily.
Nationwide continues to advocate for governmental action to simplify the benefits system, ensuring that every household receives the financial help it needs to thrive.
