Households earning up to £60,000 can get extra £5,800

Over a million households have been told they could claim extra cash from the Government to help with living costs - potentially even if they earn up to £60,000 in total. Many families miss out on extra support because they either don't know it is available or assume they earn too much to qualify.

Awareness is now being raised about potential opportunities to claim extra cash from the DWP. A huge 1.4 million people are estimated to be missing out on Universal Credit.

This could be worth up to £5,800 a year extra added to household budgets. Figures at Martin Lewis' Money Saving Expert (MSE) explained how in most cases this would apply to households earning up to £35,000. But for those with kids, high childcare costs and rent, it could go up as high as £60,000.

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Families on lower incomes in need of some extra cash to ease the strain on their finances are being encouraged to check if they could be eligible for the support, even if they think they won't be.

MSE said: "It's a great time to remind you that billions in benefits goes unclaimed each year - most by workers or pensioners who have paid into the system for yonks and are in need of help, but think 'benefits aren't for me' or 'I won't qualify'.

"Universal Credit - 1.4 million miss out on an average of up to £5,800 a year. The catch-all monthly benefit to support those of working age (with low or no income) with living and housing costs.

"Who's likely missing out? Households with lower incomes, up to roughly £35,000/year, though if you've kids, high childcare costs and rent, it could be £60,000/year."