More than £92 million of benefits have not been claimed by eligible residents in Peterborough, according to estimates from a national study.
Around 31,000 people in the city may be entitled to benefits across the city, but have not yet claimed them.
The figures have been estimated in the Policy in Practice's latest report 'Missing Out 2025’ which concluded that as much as £24 billion may be unclaimed nationally.
It puts forward reasons such as the complexity of claiming and a perceived social stigma as reasons for the lack of claims.
The study identified at least 12 benefit streams, which are administered by both central government and local authorities.
Of the centrally administered benefits around £47m of Universal Credit, £5.6m of pension credit and £9.8m Carer’s Allowance may be available to eligible residents.
Locally-administered benefits that may be unclaimed include child benefits (£6.3 million estimated), Free school meals (around £286,000) and various help with utilities.
Other estimated benefit amounts that had not been claimed in Peterborough as of 2024 include the Warm Homes Discount (3.1m), free TV licences (£150,000), and Healthy Start (£252,000).
The figures were calculated using a number of measures, including combining public administrative data, survey data (FRS, Census, school census), and FOI responses.
Around 2,500 elderly residents in Peterborough who may be eligible for pension credit assistance are due to receive letters across December and January.
Cabinet member for Communities, Poverty and Public Health Cllr Zameer Ali said: “This is a huge number of people and value of benefits that are available for Peterborough residents, who are entitled to help in their lives.
“Many of them will be unaware of this, or nervous about applying or finding out more information, and we want to rectify that.
“We would ask that if you believe you may be entitled to additional help, or you think you know somebody that may be, then please use the information on our website.”
A new Better Off calculator has been added to the Peterborough City Council website to help residents check their potential eligibility in minutes, by submitting a few simple details.
Throughout 2026 the council will be helping residents in Peterborough become more resilient with their finances, while also enabling those eligible to apply for benefits.