5 ways to claim back money you’re owed

Is there a pot of money out there with your name on it? From compensation for bad service to tax rebates or benefits you might be entitled to, it’s important to get back what you’re owed.

However, it can be a bit tricky when it comes to working out how to claim and you might need to put in a bit of leg work. But if it can give your bank balance a helpful boost and give you a little more financial freedom, it should be well worth the effort.

Even if you need to fill in an online form to claim compensation or use an online calculator to check what benefits and grants you’re entitled to, it can normally be done from the comfort of your own home - and you could be richly rewarded for your efforts. 

1. Claim for train delays

Sitting on a train going nowhere is certainly up there on the list of life’s most frustrating experiences. But if your train is delayed by 15 minutes or more for whatever reason, you might very well be owed some money in compensation.

Delay Repay is a nationwide scheme that you can use to get your money back, where how much you receive will depend on the length of the delay. The longer the delay, the more you can claim.

To gain compensation you’ll first need to find out which train operator you travelled with – if you travel regularly, you’ll probably know this. If not, then either search online for your departure station or ask in the local ticket office. 

(Note: while most operators follow the Delay Repay scheme, some have their own methods of calculating compensation, so make sure you check first).

Once found, head to the Delay Repay section of the relevant train operator’s website (again, a quick web search is your friend here) and follow the instructions. It is important to note down the times you were supposed to be travelling (both departure and arrival) so you can confirm how long your delay was.

(If you’re not sure, try searching for the same day of the week and time of your trip, but for a future date. This will give you the expected departure and arrival times to work from.)

To get your compensation, you'll very likely be able to fill out an online form - or log into your account if you have one. You’ll need to scan or upload a photo of your ticket, or a screenshot of a confirmation email if you bought it digitally.

Alternatively, some train operators have downloadable forms on their website that you can print out and post, or you can contact your train operator’s customer services team by phone. 

Claims need to be made within 28 days of your journey, so think back to any recent train trips and check your pockets for tickets – some operators are pretty slick at this process, so you could get some cash back in as little as three days.

2. Get compensation for flight delays

Flight delays are another of life’s most frustrating experiences. But, again, there could be a silver lining if your plane arrives at its destination late for reasons that the airline could have done something about.

Coby Benson, flight delay solicitor at Bott and Co, told Saga Money: “If a passenger’s flight is cancelled or delayed for more than three hours, they are entitled to up to £520 in compensation, unless the disruption was caused by ‘extraordinary circumstances’."

“This means something that’s beyond the airline’s control or events that don't usually occur in the day-to-day activity of an airline. Passengers are able to claim for flights that departed from the UK or arrived in the UK with a UK or EU airline.”

This means bad weather, political issues or security problems wouldn’t be classed as reason for compensation, but a pilot not turning up or being taken ill might be.

The amount of compensation you can claim will depend on the distance of your flight and the length of the delay, and is a set amount – Citizens' Advice has some good information on this.

The Web Flyer website can help you check the approximate distance of your flight if you’re struggling to work out the distance you flew. 

To claim, it’s best to contact your airline directly. The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) warns that not all airlines will accept efforts made through claims management companies (plus, you’ll often pay an unnecessary fee if you use one).

Check the airline’s website for a claims form or call your airline’s customer service centre for guidance. The CAA website includes tips and a template letter to help you seek compensation.

3. Claim Pension Credit 

If you live in England, Scotland or Wales and you’ve reached the State Pension age, you might qualify for Pension Credit.

Figures from the Department for Work and Pensions show that up to £1.7 billion of Pension Credit went unclaimed by 850,000 families in 2020, so it’s worth checking (and even if it doesn’t apply to you, perhaps your parents might be eligible instead).

Pension Credit tops up:

• Your weekly income to £201.05 if you’re single
• Your joint weekly income to £306.85 if you’re a couple (you must both have reached State Pension age to qualify).

But that’s not the only benefit, as Sebrina McCullough, from debt and money advice site Money Wellness, explains: “It’s important to claim Pension Credit because it can lead to other benefits, including help with housing costs, council tax and heating bills.

“It could also qualify you for significant NHS discounts - in addition to free prescriptions and eye tests - such as more extensive dental treatment, glasses and contact lenses, wig and fabric support and travel costs and parking when attending NHS appointments.”

It only takes a few minutes to check whether you qualify using the Pension Credit calculator on the Government website. If you are supposed to receive it, you can apply online at gov.uk or by post. If you’d prefer to speak to someone, call the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234.

4. Check if you’re due a tax refund

Your tax code tells your employer or pension provider how much income tax to deduct from your salary or pension. But if your tax code is wrong, you could be paying too much tax and be entitled to a refund (rebate). 

Research by financial services provider Canada Life shows that 43% of UK adults who checked their tax code found they were on the wrong one. Almost three-quarters (71%) of those were found to be overpaying, handing an average of £694 more than needed over to HMRC. 

Checking your tax code is particularly important if you’ve recently stopped working, have more than one pension or recently changed jobs. The Government website includes a section on what your tax code means to help you work out whether yours is correct. 

You can find your tax code on your pension advice slip, payslip, a P45 or P60 - it'll be in the form of four numbers followed by a single letter (i.e. 1250L). If you think it’s wrong, contact the HMRC helpline on 0300 200 3300, or speak to a qualified tax adviser for help.

5. Find out what grants or benefits you qualify for

There are a few benefits that some people over the State Pension age are entitled to – such as the Winter Fuel Payment, which is an annual tax-free amount to help with heating costs.

This was previously available to anyone over State Pension age but was changed in July 2024 to just those in receipt of certain benefits, including Pension Credit.

Those eligible, unless on Universal Credit, should receive the payment automatically this year. If not, contact the Winter Fuel Payment helpline on 0800 731 0160, or you can claim by post or email.

Similarly, the Warm Home Discount Scheme is aimed at those receiving Pension Credit or on a low income and could reduce your winter electricity bill by £150. It should be applied automatically by the end of March each year, but contact the Warm Home Discount helpline on 0800 030 9322 if you’ve not had a letter by the end of February 2024 and you believe you’re eligible.

Using a grants search tool, such as the one on the Turn2Us website (a charity offering help to people facing financial insecurity), will also ensure you’re not missing out on any money you weren’t aware of. 

McCullough adds: “Friends of the Elderly, for example, offer grants of up to £300 for essential household items or to cover unexpected bills, while Barchester’s Charitable Foundation helps older people with grants of between £100 and £5,000 to improve their independence, mobility and quality of life.”

She also points out that even if you’ve left work, you might still be entitled to help: “It’s also worth checking to see if your previous employer offers financial assistance. If you were in the services or worked for the police, NHS or Post Office, you might find you’re still eligible for grants from their associated bodies. 

“Some private organisations even offer help – there’s a BHS Trust Fund that provides financial support to former employees of BHS despite the business going bust in 2016.”

Find out how much money you could claim

If you think you have a train ticket stashed away somewhere from a recently-delayed trip, or you’re not sure whether you qualify for any grants, now’s the time to find out.

In most cases, you can do this relatively quickly, though a bit of patience might be required to gather the relevant information needed when filling in online forms. But remember that it’s money you’re entitled to, so it is worth doing. 

For the time it takes to enjoy a cup of tea, you could find yourself clawing back money that would otherwise stay with a travel company or be missing out on benefits that you’re entitled to, meaning you’ve got a bit more freedom in your day-to-day life.