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Policy in Practice: Better Off Calculator reviews

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4.77
Based on 400 reviews, last reviewed 25th Sep 2025
99% decrease in 5 star reviews
in the past 90 days
100% increase in 1 star reviews
in the past 90 days
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Latest highest rating:

5

Easy to use and comprehensive I have been using the Policy in Practice better off calculator for a number of years. The calculator is easy to use and comprehensive. The I/E exercis... Read more Reviewed on: 25th September 2025
Naomi I's avatar
Naomi I

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 (400)

Always easy to use and straight forwards

5
Always easy to use and straight forwards-easy to understand for my unemployed participants and aids their decision making in choosing jobs and hours thye could work. Reviewed on: 20th March 2024
Paul's avatar
Paul

Excellent tool - recommended to friends and family!

5
Excellent tool - recommended to friends and family as I thought they could benefit from it too. Reviewed on: 20th March 2024
Jon P's avatar
Jon P

very easy to use and knowledgeable

5
very easy to use and knowledgeable Reviewed on: 20th March 2024
Alex L's avatar
Alex L

I use it frequently when assessing financial hardshi...

5
I use it frequently when assessing financial hardship applications. It gives me clear, detailed information on which benefits applicants could be entitled too. Reviewed on: 20th March 2024
Leanne H's avatar
Leanne H

The best benefits calculator out there

5
The calculator questions allow you to deeply explore the clients background and circumstances. The questions are not one size fits all. For example, when exploring council tax you have the different options for monthly payments over 12 months, 10 months and annual. The questions are easy to read to clients and are written in layman terms. For example, Does anyone in your household have a disability which means that they struggle with everyday activities or getting around? This allows the client to understand the question clearly and opens up a dialogue. There is a drop down box to explain what benefits are available if the client answers yes. The explanation is clear and concise such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP)/ Adult Disability Payment (ADP): This is for adults who have needed help with daily living or mobility tasks for at least 3 months and are likely to need help for a further 9 months. To qualify you must be awarded sufficient points at a PIP assessment. Application is through the DWP. It hits every basic point. This is especially true for their explanation of Contribution-related ESA which is difficult to explain to clients who do not have benefits knowledge. There are a wide range of options for if the client is not a UK National or is a Student - the process of explaining these difference options is simple, clear and easy to explain. The expert calculation breakdowns allow clients to see their entitlement or potential in greater detail, adding further to their understanding of the benefits system such as the benefits cap. The calculator allows you to see the weekly and monthly payment amount as this can differ depending on the type of benefits received - for example state pension and the clients circumstances. The calculation provides a simple explanation regarding the different frequency of benefit payments such as PIP and Pension Credit and how this will effect the figure of the calculation. Using the calculator benefits the advisor and the client. It is simple to use, understand and has improved my time efficiency. The clients have been able to review their current situation and understand clearly the benefit system and how this can effect their entitlement. Reviewed on: 20th March 2024
Mary's avatar
Mary

A really useful tool

5
A really useful tool which I've used myself and recommended to colleagues. The interface is very user-friendly, and it provides clear and concise results. Reviewed on: 20th March 2024
Andrew R's avatar
Andrew R

Better Off Calculator - Housing and Homelessness

4
I work within the Housing Department of a LA. I use the Better Off calculator regularly, and am always recommending clients use the calculator themselves to ensure they are receiving all that they are entitled to. The calculator is also a really great way of checking the ways in which a change of circumstances might affect someone's entitlement. It provides a really tangible, visual demonstration of what this impact is going to look like. This can give clients the confidence they need to make a change to their housing situation, as the unknown is now far less scary. Reviewed on: 20th March 2024
Yas K's avatar
Yas K

i use the calculator in my line of work

5
i use the calculator in my line of work as a housing law caseworker. fantastic knowledge and easy to use to give the best up to date considerations. Reviewed on: 20th March 2024
stefani t's avatar
stefani t

A real desire to help those disadvantaged

5
A real desire to help those disadvantaged Reviewed on: 20th March 2024
Nigel D's avatar
Nigel D

The Better Off Calculator helpful and accurate tool...

5
The Better Off Calculator helpful and accurate tool for assessing people's Universal Credit entitlement, and demonstrating how their financial circumstances would change in part-time and full-time work. This both motivates them to return to work and enables them to make informed decisions about their hours of work. Reviewed on: 20th March 2024
James H's avatar
James H

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