A national poverty charity has warned that at least seven million people across the UK are missing out on over £15 billion of unclaimed benefits.
Turn2Us said that this increases the risk of individuals being pushed into financial hardship or even poverty.
The research also found out that almost half (45%) of people have never checked their benefit entitlement.
According to the research, institutional stigma, cultural shame and negative media representation of benefit claimants were some of the most common barriers.
Proportionately, pensioners are the least likely to check what benefits they can claim, with 63% of them never having checked what they might be eligible for.
They are also the least likely to claim benefits they are entitled to, with 1 in 3 missing out on Pension Credit and an amount of £1.8bn left unclaimed.
Similarly, 52% of those aged between 45-54 have never checked their entitlement and in the lower age bracket of 35-44 only 35% have ever checked.
Across all ages, 1 million people were missing out on Universal Credit, a further 287,000 people were not claiming Income Support and over 2.5million people were not getting Council Tax Support when they could have been.
The charity is urging people to check what they might be entitled to and to start the application process as soon as possible.
Sonya Ruparel, Director of Programmes and Partnerships at Turn2us, said: “There is an endemic issue of unclaimed benefits in the UK. The confusing, sometimes hostile, and often stigmatising world of social security has led to millions of people not claiming their entitlements."
Turn2us have since launched a Benefit Calculator that they say is the most accurate tool for people who are trying to work out what means-tested benefits they are entitled to.
The experts said that it takes 10 minutes to check and then it helps you to start the process in a simple and comprehensive way.
They have also made it easy for those with a disability to use and are on hand to help via their helpline for those without internet access.
Turn2Us added: “Everyone who goes on to claim the benefits our calculator tells them they are entitled to receives an average of £5,320 a year.
"It is so important for people to check. We urge everyone to do a benefit calculation every six months as part of a regular financial health check.”
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