South Cambridgeshire District Council has helped residents on lower incomes secure up to £3.6 million in benefits they’re entitled to – but weren’t claiming.
The Council’s innovative Low-Income Family Tracker (LIFT) software identifies households likely to be eligible for benefits but not claiming them. They are then sent a letter or text encouraging them to apply – with follow-up phone calls also made.
A report to be discussed at the upcoming Scrutiny and Overview Committee outlines how hundreds of South Cambridgeshire residents are now getting extra money as a direct result of the Council’s support and advice.
For example, the Council has helped over 110 households who were eligible for Pension Credit but weren’t claiming it. Pension Credit is a benefit for people over State Pension age (currently 66) with low incomes. It provides extra money for living costs and can lead to other support. If they remain eligible for the rest of their lives, these households will receive up to £3.2 million in Pension Credit between them.
Households that applied for Pension Credit before last Christmas were also eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment following a change in eligibility criteria last year. This is a payment of either £200 or £300, depending on a person’s age. The projected extra income this Winter Fuel Payment will bring new claimants across South Cambridgeshire, as long as they remain eligible for it, is just over £229,000.
Paul, aged 69 from Chittering, is now receiving over £100 a week in Pension Credit thanks to being contacted by the Council as part of this campaign. He said: “It’s made a tremendous difference to my life. Before, things were tight – I barely had enough to cover my rent each month which meant there was never enough money to buy all the other things you need. Getting Pension Credit has lifted a huge weight off my shoulders. I can afford the basics now without living in fear of the next bill. I can afford to buy more food, and I don’t have to worry about putting the heating on. I’ve never been someone to ask for help, and honestly, if the Council hadn’t reached out, I don’t think I ever would’ve applied. It’s made a world of difference.”
Jean, 74 from Great Shelford, went on to claim Pension Credit with her partner, aged 78. She commented: “When I thought I was going to lose the Winter Fuel Payment, I was really disappointed. I didn’t realise I might be eligible for Pension Credit until the Council got in touch and that gave me the push to apply. It’s helped us out no end. It’s meant we can eat better and keep on top of the bills. And it’s not just the Pension Credit - we’ve also been able to get a free TV licence, and thankfully we still qualified for the Winter Fuel Payment too! It’s taken some of the pressure off, and I’m really grateful for that.”
In addition, the programme has been used to promote the availability of the Household Support Fund. This is a one-off hardship payment of £110 administered by Cambridgeshire County Council. Just under 250 South Cambridgeshire households went on to claim it during the past 12 months – with a total claim value of £26,400.
The Council also identified nearly 70 households that only just missed out on being eligible for Pension Credit – and therefore the Winter Fuel Payment. They were all contacted and offered a free electric blanket and financial advice through ‘Income Maximisation’ appointments with Council officers. These appointments identified unclaimed benefits – that could be worth a total of more than £500,000 shared between just five households, as long as they remain eligible. Two of those claims have already been approved.
Meanwhile, South Cambridgeshire has seen the biggest increase in NHS Healthy Start claims in the country, following a similarly targeted approach by the Council using LIFT. This scheme provides eligible parents with free food and milk. The Council’s recent intervention is projected to distribute nearly £60,000 of previously unclaimed funds to people eligible but not claiming.
As a result of LIFT, in total at least 246 South Cambridgeshire residents have seen their incomes increase. Between them, they are projected to share a total of £3,602,932 in benefits over their lifetimes.
The LIFT software brings together different sets of data, which the Council already holds, to identify currently unclaimed benefits that may be available to approximately 6,500 low-income households across South Cambridgeshire.
LIFT is also being used to support those at risk of homelessness, help disabled residents find work and support an initiative to reduce loneliness. During May and June, several information and advice events are taking place across the district aimed at those aged 70 and over. The events will take place in Bassingbourn, Melbourn, and Willingham where LIFT has identified some of the highest numbers of low-income residents aged 70 and over that live alone. Invites will be sent direct to residents most likely to benefit.
The next areas of focus for the Council’s Data Team – using the LIFT software – will include encouraging more eligible residents to claim grants to retrofit their home with energy efficiency measures. There will also be a campaign to raise awareness of Cambridge Water’s ‘Assure Tariff’ – which offers discounts on water bills for those eligible.
South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Lead Cabinet Member for Communities, Cllr Henry Batchelor, explained: “Too often, people miss out on the support they’re entitled to - not because they don’t need it, but because the system doesn’t see them, and they are just not aware there’s help available. That’s where this innovative example of how we are using data comes in. This work helps us find the gaps, those who are not aware, and the people who are falling through the cracks. When we use data with a clear purpose like this, we turn insight into real-life benefits for households across South Cambridgeshire. We make sure benefits don’t just exist – but they reach the people they were designed for. It’s an innovative way that we can create healthy and supported communities as part of a fairer, kinder and greener South Cambridgeshire. For every £1 that we are investing into this initiative – we are generating about £36 for residents which is an exceptional return.”
Although there have been no reported incidents of scams purporting to be part of this programme, the Council is reminding residents that if they are ever in any doubt about the authenticity of a letter or a phone call – they can call the Council direct on 01954 713 000. For more information on how to spot a scam, visit support is available.
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