Billions of pounds of UK benefits, grants and bonuses go unclaimed every year. This is legitimate government support, bank incentives and charitable grants that people simply do not know about or have not applied for. Here is where to look in 2026.
Unclaimed Benefits
Policy in Practice's Missing Out 2024 report estimated that about £23 billion of income-related benefits and social tariffs goes unclaimed in Great Britain each year. Some of the biggest gaps are in Universal Credit, Council Tax Reduction and Pension Credit. A free benefits calculator takes about 10 minutes and shows what you could be missing.
- Pension Credit: tops up weekly income to at least £238.00 (single) or £363.25 (couple) in 2026/27, and unlocks other help such as a free TV licence for over-75s
- Council Tax Reduction: can cut your bill substantially, or entirely on the lowest incomes
- Free benefits calculators: entitledto, Turn2us and Policy in Practice's Better Off Calculator (links on gov.uk)
- Universal Credit: check even if you work, as many working households qualify
- Use a calculator before assuming you do not qualify
Government Savings Bonuses
Help to Save pays a 50% bonus on savings for working Universal Credit claimants, up to £1,200 over 4 years. (Working Tax Credit used to qualify, but tax credits ended on 5 April 2025.) The Lifetime ISA adds a 25% government bonus on up to £4,000 a year.
- Help to Save: 50% bonus on up to £50 a month for 4 years = up to £1,200
- Lifetime ISA: 25% bonus on up to £4,000 a year = up to £1,000 a year
- Lifetime ISA: open at 18–39, for a first home (up to £450,000) or from age 60; a 25% charge applies to other withdrawals
- Help to Save eligibility: Universal Credit with take-home pay of at least £1 in your last assessment period
- You can have both if you qualify
Can I open both a LISA and Help to Save?
Bank Switching Bonuses
Some banks pay a cash bonus for switching your current account to them using the Current Account Switch Service. Offers come and go and usually require you to pay in a minimum amount and move a couple of direct debits. See our bank switching guide and check MoneySavingExpert for live deals.
- Bonus amounts and conditions change often, so check live deals
- The Current Account Switch Service moves everything in 7 working days
- Many offers exclude people who have had an account with that bank before
- Read the conditions before you switch
- Put the bonus straight into savings
Home and energy grants
Grants for home improvements and energy efficiency can be worth thousands of pounds for qualifying households. Turn2us also has a free grants search covering thousands of charitable funds.
- Warm Homes: Local Grant (England): insulation and heating upgrades for eligible low-income households via councils (ECO4 ends 31 December 2026 and the Great British Insulation Scheme has closed)
- Warm Home Discount: £150 off your electricity bill for households on means-tested benefits
- Disabled Facilities Grant: up to £30,000 in England (£36,000 in Wales) for home adaptations via your council
- Turn2us: search charitable grants by your situation
- Crisis and Resilience Fund: local council crisis help in England (replaced the Household Support Fund in April 2026)
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