You can check if you are eligible through the Nationwide website
Nationwide Building Society is encouraging people to check if they’re eligible for more than £550 in additional support. Customers can check heir eligibility for extra payments both online and over the phone.
Stephen Noakes, director of retail at Nationwide, recently spoke to a panel of MPs regarding the building society’s initiatives to improve financial inclusion. He discussed with the Treasury Committee the need to get people saving more, as well as how to ensure customers are accessing all the support they qualify for.
One resource he was eager to highlight is Nationwide’s Better Off Indicator, which can be used to determine if you’re entitled to any extra benefits, such as those from the DWP or via your local council. You simply input some information about your household situation and your finances, like your savings and income, and it will guide you towards any additional payments you might be eligible for.
Mr Noakes informed the committee: “We have calculators that can advise customers if they have additional benefits.” The provider introduced these online tools back in June 2025.
The building society chief said there have been big successes for those who have used the online benefit check. Mr Noakes said: “We only started in the last six months – but 18,000 households have looked at it and 11,000 had benefits.
“The average they have managed to gain is £560 a month. This activity can be quite life-changing.” Nationwide launched the calculator tool in collaboration with Policy in Practice.
If you’d rather discuss the support available to you over the phone, you can ring 0300 3730619. Guidance on the Nationwide website explains: “Being eligible to claim for benefits is not just for people who can’t work.
“Many people assume they are not eligible, leaving £24billion in benefits going unclaimed in the UK every year. There are lots of support payments and benefits that could help you be better off.”
Who could qualify for the extra payments?
The guidance sets out that these five groups may be eligible for some extra cash:
- You or your partner are out of work
- You are renting your home
- You have children
- You have a disability or care for someone who has a disability
- You are receiving the state pension
What extra support could I qualify for?
The information page also lists some of the benefits that you may be entitled to.
These include:
- Universal Credit
- Pension Credit
- Carer’s Allowance
- Child Benefits
- Personal Independence Payment
- Council tax discounts