Many households in Ealing are missing out on financial support simply because they don't realise they qualify for it. With living costs still putting pressure on budgets, it's worth taking a few minutes to check what help might be available to you.

Ealing Council offers a free, online tool that could give you a clearer picture of your finances. Whether you're working, on a low income, raising a family or approaching retirement, the benefits calculator can help you see if you're entitled to extra benefits.

Two ways to check

There are two options, so you can choose how much detail you want to go into.

If you're short on time, the benefits indicator is a quick version that takes around 30 seconds to complete. It tells you which benefits you might be able to claim. From there, you can move on to the full calculator if you'd like more specific information.

The full benefits calculator is a longer form, but it gives you a much more detailed estimate. It can show you:

• which benefits you could get

• how much your payments might be

• how your benefits would change if you started work or increased your hours

• how your benefits would change if your circumstances changed, such as having a child or moving in with a partner

What you'll need to hand

To get the most accurate results, it helps to have some paperwork nearby before you start. The calculator asks for information about your savings, income (including your partner's, such as from payslips), any existing benefits and pensions, your outgoings like rent, mortgage or childcare payments, and your council tax bill.

Having these details ready means you won't have to stop partway through and come back later.

Why it's worth doing

The benefits calculator is available whenever you need it, so you can use it at a time that suits you. Because it uses your actual income and earnings, the estimates it produces are more precise than a rough guess.

It's also a useful planning tool. You can enter expected future income to see how it would affect your benefits, which can help you make decisions about work or changes at home. Instant results mean you're not left waiting to find out where you stand.

As well as estimating your benefits, the calculator offers budgeting advice to help you better understand your spending.

Don't assume you won't qualify

It's easy to think that support isn't meant for you, but entitlement often depends on a combination of factors rather than one simple rule. The only way to know for sure is to check.

If you're struggling with rising living costs, find out if you're eligible for extra support by using the council's free online tool. It takes just a few minutes, and it could make a real difference to your household budget.