Can anyone point me in the direction of a benefit calculator that is relatively simple to use. We've tested 'entiled to' but seems a bit complicated for out customers to use.

many thanks

I use the Quick Benefits Calculator (QBC).

Available from Lisson Grove Benefits Program LTD
Tel; 01237 711 736.

Stand alone costs £49.00 + £8.58 VAT

I beleive most CABx use it.

As it's a direct request, I might point out our range of systems

http://www.ferret.co.uk

I've used Lisson Grove and Ferret (the later a few years ago I admit) and found them both good. You do need to learn their mindset though, and they don't use the same logic. CABx seem to have (at least mine does) both QuickBen and the full-scale Lisson Grove programme which I personally think is easier to use than QuickBen. Anyway, we have two different icons on the desktop.

I only know about the Lisson Grove programs and have no experience of the one you mention, nor of Ferret's; but in your post you referred to your "customers" using it.

If you mean members of the public looking for thier own entitlement answers, I wonder if there really is a suitable program?

The Quick Benefit Calculator is not suitable for non-experienced advisers or the public as it assumes a certain level of knowledge of the system. The long winded Lisson Grove Benefits Program mentioned by Ariadne is suitable for non-experienced advisers, but when I last used it (a long time ago), and trained others to use it, it took a bit of practice - so again, it might not be suitable for one-off's for the public.

I've looked at some calculators local authorities use on their websites and some of them require a bit of knowledge to get right and others I've seen just plain get it wrong.

Also, benefit calculators can't tell you about the nuances of the system. For example, sometimes knowing that someone has more than one or two items a week on average for prescriptions can alter the advice about which benefit to claim and a non-experienced adviser, or a member of the public, would be unlikely to competently undertake a complex better-off calculation involving tax credits, even using a benefit calculator.

So for the public, I think benefit calculators should be approached with a little bit of hesitation.