By Fatma Younis
More than three million eligible families in the UK are failing to claim essential government support, leaving an estimated £12.7 billion unclaimed in 2025, according to new Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) figures. The average missed payment amounts to £4,700 per household annually.
Universal Credit take-up gaps
While 72 per cent of those eligible for Universal Credit or equivalent benefits were claiming, roughly 2.6 million households did not take up their entitlement. Among families with children, take-up stood at 81 per cent overall and 94 per cent for lone parents, the DWP said.
Pension Credit shortfall
Up to 900,000 pensioner families entitled to Pension Credit did not claim it in 2025, leaving £2.4 billion unclaimed. That represents an average loss of about £2,500 per family, with a take-up rate of 62 per cent, unchanged from the previous year.
Experts call for action
Deven Ghelani, director at Policy in Practice, described the scale of unclaimed support as “shocking,” particularly during a cost-of-living crisis. He urged central government to do more, noting that local authorities are already using data-driven campaigns to boost take-up. Research by Policy in Practice estimated that £24 billion in state support could go unclaimed in 2026, a record high, driven largely by unclaimed Universal Credit, Carer’s Allowance, Pension Credit and Child Benefit.
Government response
A DWP spokesperson said the majority of eligible families and pensioners do claim their entitlements, and highlighted the department’s largest-ever Pension Credit campaign, which helped secure 33,500 additional awards.
How to check eligibility
Households can use free, anonymous online calculators from organisations such as Policy in Practice, Turn2us and entitledto, or the government’s dedicated Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK. Checks are also available by phone via the DWP claim line, and through local Citizens Advice branches, welfare rights groups and charities including Age UK.
