# UK financial entitlement gaps continue > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/uk-benefits-system-financial-gaps > Updated: 2026-08-03T09:43:07.000Z. Sources: 20. Developments: 8. Late June 2026 a Policy in Practice report confirmed that more than seven million UK households are missing about £24 billion in benefits, with shortfalls in Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Carer’s Allowance and Child Benefit. Take‑up rates have risen modestly to around 65 % but 761 000 pensioners still lack Pension Credit and 1.67 million working‑age adults miss Universal Credit. Early July 2026 DWP data showed benefit fraud costing taxpayers over £25 million each week – roughly £1.3 billion in the year – driven mainly by fraudulent Universal Credit claims, a rise of more than a third since 2021‑22. HMRC’s Child Trust Fund taskforce, launched in early July, is urging the 750 000 young adults born 2002‑2011 to claim an estimated £1.6 billion in dormant CTF accounts, averaging £2 200 each, via a free online search tool and a nationwide campaign announced on 10 July. The agency warned of scams and advised only official post contact. Child Benefit claim rates remain low: only about 69 % of eligible families claim before a child’s first birthday, leaving many missing the £27.05 weekly payment and risking the High‑Income Child Benefit Charge for earners above £60 000. HMRC also reminded parents to enrol in the Tax‑Free Childcare scheme, which can save up to £100 a month, and introduced a digital service for repaying the High‑Income Charge through PAYE. Remote workers continue to be able to claim a £6‑per‑week home‑working tax relief for up to four tax years, provided employer‑mandated. Advisers continue to warn that early withdrawals of pension pots erode retirement wealth, calling for a “PensionTaxLock” in the upcoming Budget. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-03: HMRC issues new guidance for parents on child benefit and tax‑free childcare HMRC urged UK parents to join Tax‑Free Childcare and warned those earning over £60k about the High‑Income Child Benefit Charge, adding a PAYE payment option. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hmrc-issues-new-guidance-for-parents-on-child-benefit-and-taxfree-childcare ### 2026-07-30: HMRC urges UK taxpayers to claim unclaimed Child Trust Funds and work‑from‑home tax relief HMRC alerts UK adults to unclaimed Child Trust Funds worth about £2,200 and offers work‑from‑home tax relief of £6 per week for those forced to remote work, both claimable via online tools. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hmrc-urges-uk-taxpayers-to-claim-unclaimed-child-trust-funds-and-workfromhome-tax-relief ### 2026-07-28: UK pension advisors caution early tax‑free cash withdrawals and child benefit claim errors HMRC urges parents to claim Child Benefit for State Pension credits, while AJ Bell warns early pension cash withdrawals can cost savers tens of thousands, urging a Budget “PensionTaxLock”. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uk-pension-advisors-caution-early-taxfree-cash-withdrawals-and-child-benefit-claim-errors ### 2026-07-19: UK Parents May Miss Out on £27 Weekly Child Benefit Many UK parents fail to claim Child Benefit within three months, missing up to £27 a week; high earners may lose the payment entirely. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uk-parents-may-miss-out-on-27-weekly-child-benefit ### 2026-07-10: HMRC launches campaign for 750,000 Britons to claim £2,200 Child Trust Fund savings HMRC urges 750,000 UK youths born 2002‑2011 to claim an average £2,200 in forgotten Child Trust Fund accounts via a free GOV.UK tool, warning of scams. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hmrc-launches-campaign-for-750000-britons-to-claim-2200-child-trust-fund-savings ### 2026-07-08: UK pushes to reunite Britons with billions in forgotten savings The UK government and consumer experts urge Britons to claim up to £1.6bn in forgotten Child Trust Funds and billions in dormant bank accounts using free online tools. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uk-pushes-to-reunite-britons-with-billions-in-forgotten-savings ### 2026-07-05: UK benefits fraud costs taxpayers over £25 million a week UK data reveal benefits fraud costs over £25 million weekly, with £1.3 billion lost mainly through Universal Credit claims, prompting political criticism of the welfare system. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uk-benefits-fraud-costs-taxpayers-over-25-million-a-week ### 2026-06-25: UK households miss out on £24 billion in unclaimed benefits Over 7 million UK households are missing out on about £24 billion in benefits such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit and Carer’s Allowance; a new Policy in Practice report urges people to check eligibility. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uk-households-miss-out-on-24-billion-in-unclaimed-benefits --- Cite as: UK financial entitlement gaps continue. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/uk-benefits-system-financial-gaps