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Policy in Practice: Better Off Calculator reviews

Name: Better Off Calculator
Rating: 4.72 (291 reviews)

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4.72

Based on 291 reviews, last reviewed 20th May 2025

7000% increase in 5 star reviews

in the past 90 days

No new 1 star reviews

in the past 90 days

82%

13%

Latest highest rating:

5

Daily User I use this tool on a daily basis for a number of reasons. It gives such a great overview of benefit eligibility alongside useful hints and tips. Compa... Read more Reviewed on: 20th May 2025

Latest lowest rating:

1

Can’t understand the results, trying to work out if... Can’t understand the results, trying to work out if I cut my hours Reviewed on: 1st August 2024

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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.

Policy in Practice Better Off Calculator reviews (291)

Review of the Policy in Practice, Better Off Calculator:

A real desire to help those disadvantaged

A real desire to help those disadvantaged Reviewed on: 20th March 2024

Comprehensive calculator benefiting lives.

This is a comprehensive calculator that actually benefits people and can help them make informed decisions that can impact their lives. I have used this tool to help a number of people realise how much they can be better off working compared to UC. Training to use it is clear and straight forward, and it is user friendly. I would be at a loss without this, and so would the people I work with. Reviewed on: 14th May 2025

Amazing and Accurate quick results - Extremely easy...

Amazing and Accurate quick results - Extremely easy to use and straight forward. Reviewed on: 14th May 2025

Really user friendly and a great tool for our clients

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

This is THE best calculator there is.

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

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...

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

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

A fantastic service

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

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!

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

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