Martin Lewis urges anyone earning under £35,000 to see if they qualify for £5,800 payout

Martin Lewis' Money Saving Expert (MSE) website is encouraging individuals earning £35,000 or less to claim £5,800 from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The MSE site reveals that a staggering 1.4 million people are failing to claim an average of £5,800 a year in Universal Credit payments, particularly those households earning under £35,000.

The monthly benefit aims to support those with low or no income towards their housing or living costs. It's believed that households with lower incomes are missing out on payments averaging £5,800 a year. However, if you have children or high childcare costs, you could still be eligible for some Universal Credit payments even if your earnings reach up to £60,000 a year, according to Martin Lewis' MSE.

The government's Universal Credit website states: "You may be able to get Universal Credit if you're on a low income or need help with your living costs. You could be: out of work, working (including self-employed or part time) or unable to work, for example because of a health condition.

The government says claimants must live in the UK, be aged 18 or over and be under state pension age. You also must have £16,000 or less in your bank account, including savings or investments. If one of you or your partner has reached state pension age, you can still claim Universal Credit as a couple but these payments will stop once both of you reach state pension age.

According to Martin Lewis' Money Saving Expert (MSE), "UNIVERSAL CREDIT - 1.4 MILLION miss out on an average of up to £5,800 a year. The catch-all monthly benefit to support those of working age (with low or no income) with living and housing costs. Who's likely missing out? Households with lower incomes, up to roughly £35,000/yr, though if you've kids, high childcare costs and rent, it could be £60,000/yr.", reports the Express.