A mountain of income and benefits are waiting to be claimed by people in Darlington, according to new figures from Christians Against Poverty (CAP).

CAP is urging people in Darlington this January to use its online benefits calculator at capuk.org/benefitscalculator to see if they are entitled to additional income or benefits that they may not be aware of.

CAP’s online calculator can be used across the four UK nations, as it incorporates all benefits across the devolved nations.

CAP’s Darlington Debt Centre Manager, Cyndi Hughes, said: “Many people in Darlington will be starting the New Year facing cost of living increases, cold weather driving higher energy bills, and static incomes.

“The extra burden of Christmas costs or credit may have further impacted families as they enter 2023. But there may be financial help at hand.”

Read more: Woman taken to hospital as spiking incident in Darlington venue prompts investigation

The Darlington branch said: “Since CAP launched its new online benefits calculator three months ago, those people who’ve used the tool have found over £6 million in extra income that had previously been left unclaimed.

“This means that hundreds of households in Darlington and across the UK could be missing out on vital income as they approach another challenging year.”

“In 2022, we saw energy prices, food and basic essentials soar whilst incomes flatlined. Our Debt Centre in Darlington found an increasing number of families trying to survive on broken budgets, where they simply couldn’t balance their income and outgoings, with many using credit to pay household bills. So we know that having access to an extra bit of cash can make all the difference.”

Mrs Hughes continued: “A recent report from CAP, Lifelines to Safety, showed that the cost of living crisis had led vulnerable households to use credit for basic essentials, plunging them into further debt and poverty.

Read next:

If you want to read more great stories, why not subscribe to The Northern Echo for as little as £1.25 a week. Click here.

"Right now, it’s absolutely vital for anyone living on a low income in Darlington to make sure they are receiving all the support they are entitled to and are aware of the free help available if they are being pulled into debt.”

“Making the first call for help can feel like a really tough step but I’ve heard from people myself how they feel a real sense of relief after doing so. The sooner you get professional free debt advice from organisations like Christians Against Poverty, the sooner we can put a plan in place and help you move forward.”