Benefits calculator

The Better Off Calculator is a quick and easy way to check if you might be missing out on money or support. It asks just 8 short questions and takes about 3 minutes to finish. You don’t need to know lots of details - just answer what you can.

Complete the Better Off Calculator

Lots of people have used it to find out if they could get help with things like rent, bills, or food. 

After you finish, it will show you if you might be missing out. If it looks like you could get more help, you can answer more questions to get a deeper look and find out what to do next.

Caitlin, 39 - lives in King Heath, Northampton with her two children - Liam (13) and Sophie (6).

She works 20 hours per week in retail, earning around £1,050 a month from wages, Universal Credit and Child Benefit. Despite working, she is struggling to keep up with rising rent, energy bills and school costs.

Caitlin contacts the Debt and Money Advice team who help her complete the Better Off Calculator. 

She discovers she qualifies for:

• childcare support - can claim up to 85% of childcare costs through Universal Credit
• warm home discount - due to her income level
• council tax discount - qualifies for a 75% discount
• free school meals for both children - saving £40 a month

Linda, 77, lives alone in a one-bedroom council property in Dallington Spencer, Northampton (NN5 7BZ).

She receives a State Pension of £134 per week (around £581 per month) and has £6,400 in savings. Despite budgeting carefully, Linda has been struggling with rising energy bills, council tax and the general cost of living.

Linda is identified by our Financial Inclusion team and invited to complete the Better Off Calculator.

Linda qualifies for:

• Pension Credit: £403.43 per month, increasing her income by 69%
• Housing Benefit: £387 per month to cover her full rent
• Council Tax Support: £98.44 per month to cover her full council tax
• Warm Home Discount: £150 annual credit
• possible utilities help: referred to Anglian Water and British Gas

James (42) and Sarah (41) live together in a privately rented two-bedroom property in Kingsthorpe North, Northampton (NN2 8AG).

Sarah has a mobility issue and is unable to work. To support her, James works 25 hours per week, earning £450.50 per week. 

They have £5,600 in savings. Despite careful budgeting, rising rent, energy costs, and limited income have made it difficult to stay afloat.

They spotted a Better Off Calculator promotion and decided to check if they were missing out on support.

They qualify for:

• Universal Credit: £339.53 per month to top up their monthly income
• possible help with utilities: referred to Anglian Water and British Gas
• potential opportunities for financial support: referred to the council's Money Advice Team who can identify grants, help with rent arrears and cost of living