In recent months, various politicians have often repeated the claim that Britain’s welfare system is “too easy to claim.” This narrative, designed to suggest widespread dependency, could not be further from the truth. The reality is starkly different: the biggest problem is not overclaiming, but underclaiming.
According to research by Policy in Practice, more than £24 billion in benefits will go unclaimed in 2025–26. That includes £11.1 billion in Universal Credit and billions more in disability benefits and carers’ support. An estimated seven million households are missing out, with an average entitlement of £3,428 per household—money that could make the difference between heating and eating for many this winter.
Why do people not claim? The barriers are numerous. Complexity, digital exclusion, and stigma all can play a role. Lengthy forms and confusing rules deter those without specialist knowledge, while many older people—particularly those without digital access—simply give up trying. Carers, often already stretched thin and with little free time, are missing an estimated £2.4 billion in Carer’s Allowance. People with disabilities, who face extra costs every day, are underclaiming by billions in disability-related support. Far from being “too easy,” the system is often impenetrable.
This is not just an issue of lost income—it is about fairness and dignity. Every unclaimed pound represents someone potentially going without food, medication, or security. Benefits exist to provide stability, yet the system itself prevents people from accessing them.
The political narrative of ease masks a harsher truth: Britain’s welfare state is not overgenerous, but under-accessed. The challenge for policymakers is not how to cut entitlements, but how to remove barriers so that people—especially older citizens, carers, and disabled people—can claim the support that is already theirs by right.
Do you support people struggling to claim welfare benefits? We have several training courses including The Welfare Benefits System, An Introduction to Personal Independence Payment, DLA for Children, An Introduction to Universal Credit and Advanced Universal Credit. Check out our full list of training here.
