Money you forgot you had.

A checklist of things UK households are often owed or entitled to, with the official free link for each. Last checked: 26 October 2026.

Never pay anyone to claim these. All the official routes below are free. Be wary of anyone who contacts you out of the blue offering to find or release money for a fee, and never share your bank details, passwords or National Insurance number with them. OwedHub will never ask you for any of those.

Free download: money you might be owed checklist (PDF, 1 page)

A deadline to watch: Self Assessment

For the 2025 to 2026 tax year, GOV.UK gives these deadlines:

31 October 2026: paper tax return must reach HMRC.
30 December 2026: online return deadline if you want to pay your bill through your tax code.
31 January 2027: online return and any tax you owe.

If you needed to register and missed 5 October 2026, HMRC will send a later filing deadline, but you must still pay by 31 January 2027. GOV.UK: Self Assessment deadlines. Late filing can mean penalties, so check the page for your situation.

Your checklist

PAYE tax refund

Who it's for: Anyone who may have paid too much tax, for example after changing jobs or being put on an emergency tax code. HMRC may send a tax calculation letter (P800).
What it's worth: Varies by person. HMRC says online claims are usually paid within 5 working days.
Official free links: GOV.UK: if your P800 says you are due a refund
GOV.UK: personal tax account

Marriage Allowance

Who it's for: Married couples and civil partners where one partner earns below the Personal Allowance (usually £12,570) and the other is a basic-rate taxpayer.
What it's worth: Reduces the other partner's tax by up to £252 in a tax year. GOV.UK says you can backdate a claim to 6 April 2022 for years you were eligible, so check the page for the current rules.
Official free link: GOV.UK: Marriage Allowance

Child Trust Fund

Who it's for: Anyone born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011, or their parent or guardian. The government opened an account for each child.
What it's worth: HMRC says around 827,000 matured accounts are still unclaimed, worth on average £2,310 (figures to April 2026). Your own account may be worth more or less. Only matured accounts (holder aged 18 or over) can be taken out.
Official free links: GOV.UK: Child Trust Funds
GOV.UK: find a Child Trust Fund

The official tool asks for a National Insurance number and date of birth. Only ever enter those on GOV.UK.

Lost pensions

Who it's for: Anyone who has worked for several employers or moved pension providers and lost track of a workplace or personal pension.
What it's worth: Varies. The free Pension Tracing Service gives you contact details for the scheme but says it cannot tell you whether you have a pension or what it is worth.
Official free links: GOV.UK: find pension contact details
GOV.UK: check your State Pension

Premium Bonds and old accounts

Who it's for: Anyone who thinks they may have forgotten Premium Bond prizes, or an old bank or building society account.
What it's worth: Varies. Only the official checkers can tell you.
Official free links: NS&I: Premium Bonds prize checker
MyLostAccount: trace an old account

Pension Credit

Who it's for: People over State Pension age on a low income. GOV.UK says you can get it even if you have other income, savings or own your home.
What it's worth: Varies. DWP figures show around 4 in 10 entitled pensioner families (about 38%) don't claim it. GOV.UK says getting Pension Credit can unlock other help, such as Housing Benefit, Cold Weather Payments, a Council Tax Reduction, a free TV licence if you are 75 or over, and help through the Warm Home Discount Scheme.
Official free links: GOV.UK: Pension Credit
GOV.UK: how to claim
DWP: take-up estimates, financial year ending 2025

Benefits calculator

Who it's for: Anyone on a low income, with a disability, caring for someone, or whose circumstances have changed and who is not sure what they can claim.
What it's worth: Varies. GOV.UK lists independent benefits calculators that can estimate what you may be entitled to.
Official free link: GOV.UK: benefits calculators

Council tax band

Who it's for: Anyone who thinks their home is in the wrong Council Tax band. In England and Wales you challenge through the Valuation Office; in Scotland through your local assessor.
What it's worth: Varies, and a review is not guaranteed to lower your band. Read the GOV.UK guidance before you start.
Official free link: GOV.UK: challenge your Council Tax band

Energy bill help

Who it's for: People on certain benefits or low incomes. The rules differ across the UK: the Warm Home Discount is not available in Northern Ireland, and Scottish applications may need to go direct to your supplier.
What it's worth: GOV.UK says the Warm Home Discount is a one-off £150 discount off your electricity bill if you are eligible. It is applied to your bill and not paid to you.
Official free links: GOV.UK: Warm Home Discount Scheme
GOV.UK: get help with energy bills

Figures come from the GOV.UK, HMRC and DWP pages linked on each card (Child Trust Fund figures: HMRC news release, 23 September 2026, covering figures to April 2026) and were checked on 26 October 2026. Where we have no official figure we say "Varies" rather than guess. Rules differ across UK nations and change often, so check the official page before you act. This is general information, not tax, legal or financial advice.