You could be missing out on key benefits unless you do one thing
Over a quarter of a million Scots are out of work due to long-term sickness or having a disability after a rise caused by the pandemic. The UK Government recently proposed tightening eligibility for disability and sickness benefits.
This is in a bid to slow the rate of social security spending. In Scotland, from April 2024 to January 2025, 921,819 people received benefits from Social Security Scotland.
But how do people know if they are entitled to benefits? Well, thousands of people have accessed a benefits calculator service provided by Nationwide Building Society in the first month of its launch.
The service helps make people aware of the support they could be deserving of. More than 15,000 people have completed a "quick indicator", and more than 4,000 have completed the "full calculator," Nationwide said.
The quick indicator gives people a "high level" overview of what they may be eligible for. If the quick indicator shows potential eligibility, people may proceed to the more detailed full calculator step.
Kathryn Townsend, Nationwide head of customer vulnerability and accessibility, said: "By offering the choice of an online process and a telephone call, we are hopefully making what can be a daunting and confusing experience that little bit simpler."
The 'better off' calculator has been launched in partnership with analytics company Policy in Practice. It is available to non-Nationwide members as well as the society's own customers.
People can access the service through Nationwide's website, app, and a dedicated phone line. Calls to the helpline are charged at standard rate, however, a call-back option is available on request.
Regular savings accounts typically require a set monthly deposit and limit withdrawals, making them perfect for disciplined savers looking to steadily increase their savings while earning higher interest than standard accounts.
Nationwide's Flex Regular Saver can be opened with just £1, and interest is paid each year on the account's anniversary. Monthly deposits are capped at £200, allowing a maximum contribution of £2,400 over the year.
At the current interest rate, this would earn £84.50 in interest after 12 months. The account is open to UK residents aged 16 or over who already have a Nationwide current account.
And there is another free, confidential benefits calculator that could ease the financial pressure going into summer.
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Online benefit calculators quickly work out if you are missing out on any benefits and best of all, they are completely free, independent and confidential to use - so there's nothing to lose.
In just a few minutes you could find out how much you may be able to claim in extra support, just by entering details about yourself, your residential status, your working status and any savings you have.
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