Campaign encourages disabled people to check benefits entitlement

The Welsh Government has launched a campaign to encourage people to check and claim the benefits they are entitled to.

Welfare benefits are significantly under-claimed in Wales. It is estimated that in Wales during 2018-19 

• up to 55 thousand families who were entitled to receive Pension Credit did not claim the benefit 
• up to 52 thousand families who were entitled to receive Housing Benefit did not claim the benefit 
• up to 13 thousand families who were entitled to receive Income Support or Income-related Employment and Support Allowance did not claim the benefit 

Across Great Britain around £16 billion a year of means-tested benefits provided by the Department for Work and Pensions and HM Revenue and Customs is not claimed.

Proportionally, that is £752 million a year not being claimed by people in Wales who are entitled to this money. Whilst it is difficult to make reliable estimates of the under claims of disability benefits, probably half of the people in Wales, who are entitled to a disability benefit, are not making a claim.

To check and claim the benefits you are entitled to, call Advicelink Cymru on 0808 250 5700 or visit https://gov.wales/claim-whats-yours.