Smart Money People Logo

Policy in Practice: Better Off Calculator reviews

4.77
Based on 399 reviews, last reviewed 27th Aug 2025
90% decrease in 5 star reviews
in the past 90 days
100% increase in 1 star reviews
in the past 90 days
See only 5 star reviews
82%
See only 4 star reviews
13%
See only 3 star reviews
2%
See only 2 star reviews
1%
See only 1 star reviews
2%

Latest highest rating:

5

Effective support with the better off calculator. We have worked with Policy In Practice for several years and really value their professional, personal and effective support with the better off calcu... Read more Reviewed on: 27th August 2025
Susan's avatar
Susan

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
vj's avatar
vj

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.

Review Policy in Practice: Better Off Calculator now

Help others make smarter decisions by sharing your own experience. Write a review

Policy in Practice Better Off Calculator reviews (399)

Really user friendly and a great tool for our clients

5
Really user friendly and a great tool for our clients Reviewed on: 14th May 2025

This is THE best calculator there is.

5
This is THE best calculator there is. Easy to complete, able to claim from the calculator, easy for clients to understand, sets out other help that isnt benefit related. It covers all bases. Reviewed on: 14th May 2025

Extremely valuable tool

5
s an employee at Maximus, I can confidently say that the Policy in Practice: Better Off Calculator is an incredibly valuable tool for both professionals in the social services field and individuals navigating the complexities of benefits and support services. One of the standout features of the calculator is its user-friendly design—whether you are a social worker, advisor, or someone looking to understand your financial entitlements, the tool breaks down complex information into clear and actionable insights. What I personally appreciate about the calculator is its ability to offer a realistic, personalized view of an individual's financial situation. It takes into account a range of factors, such as housing costs, income, and additional support, providing users with a comprehensive view of their financial circumstances and helping them make informed decisions about work, benefits, and how different life changes could impact their finances. Another significant benefit is that the Better Off Calculator is based on up-to-date government policies, ensuring that the information it provides is accurate and reflects the current welfare system. This helps to remove the uncertainty that often surrounds benefit claims, giving users confidence in their decisions. From a Maximus perspective, the calculator plays a crucial role in promoting financial empowerment. It helps individuals better understand their entitlements, whether they are transitioning from unemployment to work or adjusting to new family dynamics, by showing them the financial implications of various choices. In short, the Better Off Calculator is an indispensable resource for anyone seeking to make confident, informed choices about their financial future while engaging with government assistance programs. Reviewed on: 14th May 2025

I use the better off calculator on a daily basis as...

5
I use the better off calculator on a daily basis as a charity that works with people on universal credit helping them find sustainble work. The tool is helpful for us to figure out what salaries customers should be aiming for Reviewed on: 14th May 2025

lovely system it is would recommend people to use

5
lovely system it is would recommend people to use Reviewed on: 14th May 2025

A fantastic service

5
I have used this service for years and find it extremely helpful in my role - which is discharging homeless duty into the private sector for Hackney Council. I use this to check affordability. Better Off Calculator take all comments & suggestions seriously and have improved - and continue to improve - the calculator enormously. It is easy to use and the results it are comprehensive and easy to update /amend. They also offer training on various subjects. I cannot praise them enough to be honest. They truly deserve to win. Reviewed on: 14th May 2025

Using the Better Off Calculator: A Hands-On Assessment

5
I used the Better Off Calculator to compare income from employment with income from benefits, aiming to understand the financial impact of taking on a part-time job. The tool was straightforward to use, with step-by-step questions that guided me through entering details about income, housing, children, and benefits. One of the most helpful features was how it broke down my total income, showing exactly how much came from wages, how much from benefits, and how different scenarios (like working more hours or increasing rent) would change my financial situation. It gave me a clearer picture of how work would affect things like Universal Credit and Council Tax Reduction. Overall, it was a valuable tool that helped me feel more confident in making decisions. I would also recommend using it alongside advice from a benefits adviser if your situation is complex. Reviewed on: 14th May 2025

Five Stars! Highly recommend!

5
I work as an adviser on the Help to Claim Helpline for Citizens Advice Scotland, and this tools is irreplaceable in my daily case work. Reviewed on: 14th May 2025

outstanding service

5
It is very very easy to follow and great outcomes Reviewed on: 14th May 2025

Policy in Practice offers a great service

5
Policy in Practice offers a great service, the better off calculator is easy to use and comprehensive. a brilliant tool for staff and clients alike to use The response to any questions is usually immediate and I have always found them really helpful. The Policy In Practice webinars and analysis also extremely useful. Reviewed on: 14th May 2025

Review Policy in Practice: Better Off Calculator now

Help others make smarter decisions by sharing your own experience. Write a review