Millions of Ukrainians are missing out on thousands of hryvnias: how to check your payments.

According to The Sun: According to new data, households are losing an average of around £6,700 a year due to unclaimed universal credit payments.

More than 1.6 million people are missing out on these payments, leading to a total of unclaimed funds amounting to £11.1 billion, according to Policy in Practice data.

This payment aid is provided monthly to households facing difficulties covering their living expenses.

You may be eligible if your income is low, you are unemployed, or unable to work.

For single individuals over 25 years, the amount is £400.14 per month.

Couples over 25 years can receive £628.10 per month.

Single individuals under 25 years may receive £316.98 per month or £497.55 if they are in a couple.

Data indicates that the number of opportunities for receiving aid has reached record levels.

In 2023, about £19 billion in payments went unclaimed, but this amount has risen to £23 billion in 2024.

As a consequence, an average household could receive £3,203 more per year if they made use of all available benefits.

Some individuals may be missing out on even more money.

Approximately 2,571,000 people are not receiving council tax support, which could boost their budgets by £1,286 each.

Despite efforts to increase the uptake of Pension Credit, £1.6 billion went unclaimed last year.

As a result, 761,000 pensioners may not be receiving up to £2,121 a year.

There is also significant underclaiming of Carer’s Allowance, from which 553,000 households miss out on £4,252 a year.

In total, £2.3 billion went unclaimed last year.

Families also missed out on £1.4 billion in child benefits, while 742,000 households are eligible for an average payment of £1,998 annually.

Devon Gelani, director and founder of Policy in Practice, stated: “The size of unclaimed support in the UK is still staggering.

“But it is not society's fault. It is a failure of a welfare system that is still too complex, fragmented, and passive.”

How to boost your universal credit application?

Use a benefits calculator

You can apply for universal credit if you live in the UK, are over 18 years old but under retirement age, and have £16,000 or less in cash, savings, and investments.

If you think you might be eligible for benefits but don't know where to start, use a benefits calculator.

This free online tool will help you determine if you are entitled to benefits and how much you could receive.

The calculator will also show how your benefits would be affected if you start a new job or increase your working hours.

There are several available tools, such as the Better Off calculator from Policy in Practice, entitledto, and Turn2us.

You will need information about your savings, income, other benefits you receive, and expenses such as rent or housing loans and council tax payments.

Get assistance in applying

You can also get help in applying for benefits at Citizens Advice or Age UK.

They will explain what benefits you may be entitled to and answer your questions.

To find the nearest center, visit advicelocal.uk/find-an-adviser.

Prepare your supporting documents

When applying for universal credit, you need to provide the relevant documentation.

If you need to provide evidence of medical condition, contact your doctor and obtain recent medical letters or reports.

If you have a carer or social worker, ask them for a written reference explaining how they are assisting you.

Send your evidence to the Society along with your application as soon as possible.

Do not ignore migration letters

Thousands of people are transitioning from traditional benefits, such as ESA, income support, or tax credits in a process known as managed migration.

This transition is mandatory, and if you do not comply with the deadlines indicated in the letter, your payments may be suspended.

If you have received a migration letter, act promptly.

You have three months to apply for universal credit before your traditional payments end, and you risk losing them.

Ask for help if you are struggling to apply online, pass identity checks, or if you do not have internet access.

Check your payments

After receiving universal credit, you should check your payment to ensure that the amount is correct.

Make sure you are receiving all the elements you are entitled to.

If something is missing or incorrect, contact support immediately via your universal credit profile or get help from an adviser.

You can also challenge your payments if you believe you have received the wrong amount.

Do you have financial issues that need addressing? Contact us by emailing [email protected].

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This information is vital given that many people are missing out on receiving benefits. Therefore, it's important to be aware of the available options and obtain all necessary support. Understanding your eligibility for benefits can significantly improve the financial position of households.