Where to find hidden pots of money to help when times are tough

With the cost of living continuing to stretch household budgets, many people are searching for ways to make their money go further.

But the truth is, you might not need to earn more to improve your finances. You could already be owed money you didn’t even know existed.

Recent estimates suggest that over £24 billion of benefits and support go unclaimed in the UK each year. From benefits people don’t realise they’re entitled to, to forgotten pensions, unclaimed Premium Bond prizes, and lost refunds, huge sums are sitting untouched.

Here’s where your missing money could be hiding - and how to find it.

Benefits people don’t realise they can claim

One of the biggest sources of lost money is benefits that go unclaimed simply because people assume they won’t qualify.

Many benefits aren’t just for people who are out of work. Millions of people in jobs, on low incomes, living with a health condition, or caring for someone else are entitled to extra support.

Even a small weekly payment can add up to thousands of pounds a year. Changes such as rising rent, reduced hours, or illness can also mean you qualify when you didn’t before.

Use our free benefits checker and find out what you could be entitled to in minutes.

Forgotten pensions from old jobs

If you’ve ever changed jobs, there’s a strong chance you’ve left a pension behind.

Pensions are often lost when people move house, change name, or work short-term roles. Some forgotten pension pots are worth thousands of pounds.

The government’s pension tracing service can help you track down old workplace or personal pensions for free, even if you don’t have any paperwork. Across the UK, tens of billions of pounds sit in lost pensions and other retirement savings.

Premium Bond prizes you never knew you won

Thousands of Premium Bond prizes go unclaimed every year. This usually happens because people forget they bought Premium Bonds, were given them as children, or inherited them without realising they’re still entered into the prize draw.

You can check instantly using the NS&I prize checker, and even recover lost details if needed. In total, millions of unclaimed prizes worth over £100 million are held by NS&I.

Old bank accounts and savings left behind

Switching banks is easier than ever, but it also means money can get left behind.

Old current accounts, savings accounts, and ISAs can still hold cash, especially if interest has built up over time.

The free My Lost Account service helps you search for money held by banks, building societies, and some investment providers. Across the UK, dormant accounts and forgotten savings are worth hundreds of millions - potentially billions when pensions and investments are included.

Tax refunds people forget to claim

If you’ve changed jobs, worked part of the year, or been on the wrong tax code, you could be owed a tax refund.

Many people don’t realise HMRC won’t always automatically return overpaid tax. You can check through your personal tax account on gov.uk, and any refund is usually paid straight into your bank account.

Council tax discounts and refunds you might be missing

Council tax is another area where people often overpay without realising.

You could be entitled to money back if you live alone, your circumstances have changed, or your home is in the wrong council tax band. In some cases, refunds can be backdated for several years. Your local council’s website will explain what discounts and reductions are available.

But be aware - if you challenge your council tax band and the review doesn’t go in your favour, your band could be increased, meaning you may end up paying more.

But be aware - if you challenge your council tax band and the review doesn’t go in your favour, your band could be increased, meaning you may end up paying more.

Lost Child Trust Funds and junior ISAs

Millions of young adults don’t realise they have a Child Trust Fund (CTF) or Junior ISA set up for them.

These accounts were created for children born between 2002 and 2011 and can now be worth thousands of pounds. Once the account holder turns 18, the money belongs to them, but many don’t know where it’s held. Use the government’s CTF tracker to find yours. Across the UK, hundreds of thousands of unclaimed accounts hold around £1.5 billion.

Energy and water refunds hiding on old accounts

When people move home or switch suppliers, final bills aren’t always accurate.

This can leave credit sitting on old energy or water accounts that never gets refunded, especially if direct debits weren’t closed properly.

In fact, energy suppliers are holding around £240 million in unclaimed credit from closed accounts. If you’ve moved in the last few years, it’s worth contacting previous suppliers to check whether your account ended in credit. While official figures for water refunds aren’t available, mistakes on final bills can leave money unclaimed too.

Work expenses you can claim tax back on

Many workers pay for job-related costs without realising they can claim tax relief.

This includes things like uniforms with logos, tools, equipment, and professional subscriptions required for your role. You can also claim for business mileage, travel to temporary workplaces, and working from home expenses if your employer doesn’t reimburse you.

Claims are made directly through HMRC, either online or using a form, and in many cases can be backdated for up to four years, meaning you could get a significant refund if you haven’t claimed before.

Unclaimed compensation and inheritances

Some people are owed money through compensation or inheritances and never realise it.

For example, passengers can claim compensation for flight delays or cancellations, sometimes amounting to hundreds of pounds. Similarly, unclaimed estates can exist when relatives or beneficiaries don’t come forward, leaving money in probate or trust accounts.

While this won’t apply to everyone, it’s a reminder that money can easily be overlooked. You can check specific schemes like court unclaimed money or airline compensation claims to recover funds you didn’t know you were owed.

Start with the biggest win

If this all feels overwhelming, you don’t need to tackle everything at once.

For many people, checking benefit entitlement is the fastest and most effective place to start, as it can unlock regular monthly support rather than a one-off payment.

If you’re struggling financially or unsure where to begin, we can help you find any missing entitlement, better manage your bills or deal with your debts.