Online Benefit Misinformation Misleads Millions Amid Cost-of-Living Crisis

Published: 20 August 2025. The English Chronicle Desk

As millions of UK residents continue to grapple with rising living costs, misinformation about benefits, government policy, and financial support is spreading online, reaching hundreds of thousands of people through misleading news articles and search results. Experts warn that fake news relating to benefits has been prominently featured in Google’s search engine and recommendation services, giving the impression of legitimacy to inaccurate claims.

Several widely circulated articles falsely assert that the Cost of Living Payment administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) between 2022 and 2024 is returning this year, which is untrue. Some pieces even suggest that recipients of common benefits, such as Universal Credit and Pension Credit, can expect automatic payments of up to £500 in the coming months. Other misinformation targets specific groups, claiming, for instance, that WASPI campaigners are due “one-off, tax-free compensation payments” worth thousands, or that next year’s planned increase in the state pension age to 67 has been cancelled.

Investigations suggest that the operators of these websites deliberately exploit popular topics, using knowledge of Google’s ranking algorithms to attract high volumes of visitors. Many of these pages feature numerous intrusive advertisements, generating revenue that increases with the number of clicks and visits. None of the misleading websites identified by The Independent were based in the UK, and all appear to prioritise sensationalism over accuracy.

Anna Stevenson, Benefits Expert at Turn2us, warned that vulnerable readers are being targeted. “These sites prey on people’s worries at a time when so many of us are feeling the pressure of the cost-of-living crisis, and that’s really unfair,” she said. “If you see a headline about a new payment or benefit, take a moment to check where it’s coming from. Stick to established and authentic sources like .gov.uk websites or reputable charities; if you can’t find the same information there, it’s unlikely to be legitimate.”

A spokesperson for Google responded, stating, “We see billions of search queries every day and we design our ranking systems to surface high-quality information at the top of Search. Our spam-fighting systems aggressively fight mass-produced, low-quality content, keeping Search 99% spam-free, and we take appropriate action against pages that violate our policies.”

Among the sites contacted, only one, Tamil Nadu Weatherman, removed its article containing false claims about the Cost of Living Payment. A spokesperson for the site acknowledged the error, stating: “After carefully reviewing the articles you highlighted, I acknowledge that the information published may not have been accurate. This was an oversight on my part, and I sincerely regret any confusion it may have caused. Going forward, I will ensure that all such content is cross-checked with official government websites before publication. Accuracy and trust are very important to me, and I appreciate you raising this issue so I could address it promptly.”

As the cost-of-living crisis continues to strain households across the UK, experts urge caution when engaging with online news about benefits. Reliance on verified government and charitable sources remains essential to avoid being misled by false or sensationalised claims that could worsen financial uncertainty.