To help more people access the money they may be entitled to, Nationwide is expanding its free Better Off Indicator to Virgin Money customers.
Millions of households across the UK could be missing out on vital financial support they are eligible for, with an estimated £24 billion in benefits and support going unclaimed every year.
The service, developed in partnership with social policy experts Policy in Practice, is available to everyone – including non-customers – and helps people identify benefits, grants and other support they may be entitled to.
The expansion comes as households continue to face financial pressures. Latest research from Nationwide and the charity Action for Children of over 2,000 parents receiving Universal Credit found that nearly two thirds (66%) are worried about affording food during the summer holidays as many expect to resort to borrowing to make ends meet – 63 per cent are likely to use Buy Now Pay Later, 60 per cent said they would likely to borrow from friends or family and 59 per cent said they’re likely to rely on credit cards. More than half said they are likely to delay paying essential bills, while one in two could delay paying their rent or mortgage. Making it essential that people can quickly find any benefits they are entitled to.
The Better Off Indicator can be accessed online, over the phone or with support in branch where people can be helped to access the service.
This ensures support is available to people who may be digitally excluded, lack confidence online or would simply prefer to speak to someone. It is also available on the Nationwide mobile app for customers.
Since launching in 2025, Nationwide's Better Off Indicator has helped more than 17,000 households identify potential entitlement of £115 million of additional annual support, with households missing out discovering an average of £555 per month in potential extra income. More than 550,000 customers have visited the Nationwide website and app to access information on benefits and financial support.
Kathryn Townsend, Head of Customer Vulnerability at Nationwide, said: "Too many people are missing out on financial support simply because they don't realise they're eligible or find the system difficult to navigate. At a time when many households are struggling to make ends meet, even a relatively small increase in income can make a real difference.
"By making the Better Off Indicator available through multiple channels – online, by phone and in branch – we're helping remove barriers and making it easier for everyone to access the support they may be entitled to.
"Expanding the service to Virgin Money customers means even more people will be able to benefit from free, personalised support to understand what help is available."
An estimated seven million households are missing out on support they could be entitled to, with lack of awareness, complexity and stigma among the biggest barriers to claiming benefits.
People can access the free Better Off Indicator regardless of whether they bank with Nationwide or Virgin Money.
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