Insights ¦ Missing Out 2025: £24 billion of support is unclaimed

Key Take Aways

1. Over £24 billion of welfare support remains unclaimed in 2025, highlighting systemic under-claiming issues.
2. More than 7 million households are missing out, driven by both under-claiming and evolving eligibility criteria.
3. Targeted intervention is beginning to reverse historical trends of under-claiming support.
4. The article underscores the importance of understanding barriers faced by low-income households in accessing welfare benefits.
5. Accurate, granular data is critical for authorities seeking to close support gaps and improve uptake.
6. Better data collection and analysis can facilitate more effective targeting and outreach strategies.
7. The analysis suggests that enhanced engagement could significantly boost support uptake, with substantial financial implications.
8. It emphasises the need for policies that address both claims process complexities and awareness gaps.
9. The article advocates for an integrated approach combining quantitative and qualitative research to reduce barriers.
10. Improving claimant engagement and satisfaction can lead to increased trust and higher claim rates.
11. There is a clear opportunity to optimise social benefit distribution efficiency through technology and data insights.
12. Addressing unclaimed support is not only a financial imperative but also essential for reducing social inequality.

Key Statistics

• Unclaimed welfare support in 2025 totals over £24 billion.
• More than 7 million households are missing out on benefit uptake.
• The record levels of unclaimed support reflect both increased under-claiming and recent changes in eligibility.
• The article features a comparative increase in pension credit support, illustrating the scale and impact of support gaps.
• Financial support gains for low-income households have been substantial in recent years, driven by targeted initiatives.

Key Discussion Points

• The scale and scope of unclaimed welfare support and its implications for the social safety net.
• The drivers behind under-claiming and how emerging eligibility criteria influence uptake.
• The role of targeted data-driven strategies in starting to turn the tide on under-claiming.
• The importance of granular and accurate claimant data in designing effective support interventions.
• How authorities can improve engagement, awareness, and trust among claimants.
• The potential of integrated qualitative and quantitative approaches to uncover barriers.
• The role of technological innovation in streamlining claims processes and reducing administrative burdens.
• The impact of policy adjustments on increasing benefit claims, especially for vulnerable households.
• Opportunities for cross-sector collaboration to optimise benefit distribution and social policy outcomes.
• The social and economic consequences of the estimated £24 billion in unclaimed support.
• The significance of ongoing monitoring and evaluation to sustain improvements.
• The strategic importance of closing the support gap to improve social equity and financial stability.

Document Description

This article explores the stark reality of unclaimed welfare support in the UK, revealing a record £24 billion of key benefits go unclaimed in 2025. It discusses how more than 7 million households are missing out on vital financial assistance due to under-claiming and policy changes. Emphasising the necessity of targeted, data-driven approaches, the article advocates for enhanced use of granular claimant data and qualitative research to understand and overcome barriers. It presents evidence that strategic intervention is beginning to shift the landscape, with significant financial and social implications for policymakers and financial institutions alike. The focus is on improving engagement, reducing barriers, and optimising welfare distribution to ensure support reaches those most in need.