Britons can find out whether they’re missing out on state benefits using a tool from Nationwide, who said thousands of households have discovered they could be entitled to an extra £560 per month on average using it. The ‘Better Off’ calculator, is a free eligibility calculator the building society launched in partnership with social policy software and analytics firm Policy in Practice, that helps you understand what benefits you may be entitled to.

By entering in some basic details such as age, cohabitation status, and the number of children in your household (if any), the tool will flag forms of state support that you may be able to claim. Nationwide says it has helped identify £75million-a-year in unclaimed benefits since it went live last June.

According to the firm, over 18,000 people have submitted a calculation since then, with more than 11,000 households finding out they could be entitled to an average of £560 extra per month (totalling £75.3million per year in potential support).

The company says it comes at a time when estimated £24billion in benefits goes unclaimed annually.

The calculator is available to everyone, and can also be accessed as a telephone-based service for those who can’t or would prefer not to use digital services.

Kathryn Townsend, Head of Customer Vulnerability for Nationwide said: “Millions of people across the UK are missing out on vital financial support they are entitled to – simply because the system is too complex to understand and access.

“That’s why we’re calling on the government to simplify the system, raise public awareness and help challenge the stigma that still prevents too many people from seeking the support they’re owed.

“By removing these barriers, we can ensure that vital financial help reaches every household that needs it and make the safety net work as it was intended.

“We encourage anyone to take a moment to explore what they may be entitled to, so they don’t miss out on support that could make a meaningful difference.”

A Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson said: “Millions of people rely on our welfare system every year and it is vital that it can be accessed by all who need it.