Benefits Calculator Updates

Not only has the Turn2us Benefits Calculator been updated in line with April changes to the benefit system, the look, design and functionality of the calculator has been upgraded. Improvements have also been made to help the user identify whether they should be claiming under the Universal Credit scheme or the current benefits system.

Some of the key changes include:

Updating benefit values so they follow the 2018/19 rates

Benefit rates for disability benefits and premiums, Carer’s Allowance, and all carer’s elements and premiums increased in April 2018. All other benefit rates have been frozen.

Including the April benefit changes

Millions of households entitled to welfare benefits and tax credit will see big changes in their claims in April 2018. Significant changes were made to Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI), Universal Credit and childcare.

Redesigning the results page so it looks better and is easier to digest

The results page has been redesigned, not only so it looks better, but also to prepare the calculator for Universal Credit.

Making it easier for people to ascertain whether they have to claim Universal Credit now or not

Wording has been changed so that it is clearer on the results page if a user can or cannot claim Universal Credit. New questions have been added to ask if a user is already in receipt of Universal Credit or any of the six benefits it is replacing. This is so that it is clearer to the user whether they have to claim Universal Credit now, if they live in an area where Universal Credit full service has been rolled out.

Adding a warning message about migrating to Universal Credit

If someone in a Universal Credit full service area tries to claim one of the six benefits being replaced by Universal Credit, they will in most cases have to claim Universal Credit and could lose some of their existing benefits. We provide a warning message on the results page to people who could be in this situation.