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Policy in Practice: Better Off Calculator reviews

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4.78
Based on 428 reviews, last reviewed 8th Apr 2026
2500% increase in 5 star reviews
in the past 90 days
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Latest highest rating:

5

The BOC off calculator helps me in my role and aids... The BOC off calculator helps me in my role and aids my customers Reviewed on: 8th April 2026
Ruth's avatar
Ruth

Latest lowest rating:

1

i find its time consuming / unfriendly / completely... i find its time consuming / unfriendly / completely useless compared to our old calculator. ETC ETC Reviewed on: 19th August 2025
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vj
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About this product

The Better Off Calculator is a tool that quickly calculates your benefit entitlement and shows you what money you may be missing out on. It shows you what steps you can take to strengthen your finances with a focus on actionable advice.

You can use the free calculator to see what help you are eligible for, and see clearly how changes in earnings or hours will impact your income.

If you're an advisor you can get more features in our professional calculator so that you can work out the exact amount of next Universal Credit payments, and create personalised action plans and smart budgets for customers.

With the Better Off Calculator you don’t need to be a policy expert to understand what changes to the welfare system mean for you.

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Policy in Practice Better Off Calculator reviews (428)

The BOC off calculator helps me in my role and aids...

5
The BOC off calculator helps me in my role and aids my customers Reviewed on: 8th April 2026
Ruth's avatar
Ruth

Very Effective.

5
Very effective tool to help maximise tenant income. Reviewed on: 8th April 2026
Mark T's avatar
Mark T

Brilliant and necessary

5
Very easy to use tool and provides valuable insights Reviewed on: 8th April 2026
Amanda L's avatar
Amanda L

Excellent

5
This is a wonderful tool to support clients - It is used on a daily basis between myself and my colleagues. Thank you! Reviewed on: 8th April 2026
Sandi F's avatar
Sandi F

GREAT PIECE OF KIT!!

5
IT'S A SIMPLE TO USE TOOL THAT ALLOWS ANY USER TO BREAK DOWN THEIR FINANCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES AND COMPARE TO OTHER SCENARIOS WITH JUST A FEW INPUTS. AS AN EMPLOYMENT ADVISOR I USE THIS WITH ALL MY PARTICIPANTS TO SHOW HOW MUCH BETTER OFF EACH WOULD BE WHEN IN WORK AGAINST ON BENEFITS Reviewed on: 8th April 2026
peter w's avatar
peter w

Employment Advisor

4
I’ve found the Better Off Calculator to be a useful tool for getting a clearer picture of how changes in circumstances can affect income. One of its main strengths is how it breaks down different scenarios—such as starting work, increasing hours, or changes in benefits—into easy-to-understand comparisons. This makes it particularly helpful when supporting individuals who are unsure about the financial impact of employment or lifestyle changes. A key benefit is the level of detail it provides. It considers multiple income streams, including earnings, benefits, and housing costs, which helps create a more realistic overview. The interface is generally straightforward once you’re familiar with it, and the ability to model different scenarios side-by-side is especially valuable for decision-making. However, there are some drawbacks. It can feel a bit complex or time-consuming to input all the required information, particularly for more complicated cases. New users may need some time or guidance to fully understand how to navigate the system and interpret the results accurately. Additionally, if information is entered incorrectly, it can significantly affect the outcome, so attention to detail is important. Overall, it’s a powerful and informative tool that supports better financial planning and conversations, but it works best when users are given enough time or training to use it confidently. Reviewed on: 7th April 2026
Cameron E's avatar
Cameron E

PIP front runners in all things Welfare Reform

5
I am a client of Policy in Practice and my Council promotes and makes use of their Better Off Calculator which has helped over a thousand residents to self serve and see how much benefits they may be missing out on equating to millions of ££. Provision of this tool aids Council's in making the best use of limited resources whilst supporting residents to maximise their income. My understanding is that there are plans to integrate the calculator with the LIFT tool making all our lives much easier from understanding the support households are missing out on to processing and assisting residents with their claims. My experience of working with Policy in Practice and using the BOC to report on outcomes continues to be excellent, the company are true front runners in all things welfare reform and put residents and making policy relatable at the heart of what they do. Reviewed on: 7th April 2026
Margaret G's avatar
Margaret G

Praise for the Better Off Calculator

5
he Policy in Practice Better Off Calculator has proved to be a valuable and reliable tool in supporting our work to maximise residents’ incomes and provide consistent, informed welfare advice. From a local authority perspective, the calculator supports officers to quickly and accurately assess benefit entitlement, model changes in circumstances and identify unclaimed support, enabling earlier and more effective intervention. The tool is particularly helpful in providing a clear, structured overview of a household’s financial position, supporting informed decision‑making across a range of functions including benefits advice, discretionary support, homelessness prevention and wider financial resilience work. Its ability to model different scenarios helps officers explain the impact of changes in work, income or household circumstances in a way that is transparent and easy to communicate. Importantly, the Better Off Calculator promotes a consistent and fair approach, reducing reliance on manual calculations and individual interpretation. This improves confidence in decision‑making and helps ensure residents receive accurate, up‑to‑date advice aligned with current policy. The calculator also supports efficient working practices, saving officer time while improving the quality of engagement with residents. Overall, the Better Off Calculator is a well‑designed, practical tool that supports local authorities to deliver effective income maximisation, improve customer outcomes and strengthen preventative approaches to financial hardship. 2. Resident perspective – plain English, positive but realistic Resident Experience – Better Off Calculator From a resident’s point of view, the Better Off Calculator is easy to use and helps make a complex benefits system clearer. By asking straightforward questions, it helps residents understand what financial support they may be entitled to and how changes in their circumstances could affect their income. Residents value being able to see the information clearly laid out, including where they may be missing out on support. The calculator helps people feel more informed and confident when discussing their options with council officers or support services, rather than feeling unsure or overwhelmed. The ability to look at “what if” scenarios is particularly helpful, as it allows residents to understand the impact of moving into work, changing hours or dealing with short‑term financial difficulties. This supports better decision‑making and helps residents plan next steps with greater clarity. Overall, the Better Off Calculator provides residents with accessible, understandable information that supports informed choices and helps them feel more in control of their financial situation. Reviewed on: 7th April 2026
Chris OH's avatar
Chris OH

very good system to use and really easy to use...

5
very good system to use and really easy to use Reviewed on: 7th April 2026
kirsty p's avatar
kirsty p

Easier than council

5
The councils page was really confusing, but the calculator showed me what I could get Reviewed on: 7th April 2026
Josh W's avatar
Josh W

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