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Support that gives you a LIFT

37 - Support that gives you a lift

37 - Support that gives you a lift

Across West Berkshire, many residents are still missing out on financial support that could make a real difference to their daily lives. To help change this, we are using the Low Income Family Tracker, known as LIFT. This tool helps us identify households that may be entitled to benefits but are not currently claiming them. By reaching out directly, we are making sure that money which should be in residents' pockets reaches them.

LIFT brings together anonymised information from the Department for Work and Pensions and the Council. This highlights people who could claim support such as pension credit, Healthy Start vouchers, free school meals and wider financial help. We then contact residents by letter or text and offer friendly support through our Let's Talk sessions in libraries, food banks and community hubs across the district.

We are already seeing the difference this approach can make. One recent campaign alone has the potential to return more than £700,000 to eligible residents. We have also seen more than £140,000 in previously unclaimed benefits now going to pension age residents every year.

 

LIFT is helping residents feel more secure, supported and able to access the help they deserve

 

38 - Support that gives you a lift

Alongside LIFT, we have launched the new Better Off Calculator to help residents quickly check what financial support they may be entitled to. The free online tool, developed by Policy in Practice and customised for West Berkshire, gives an instant breakdown of benefits and local support schemes you may be missing out on. This includes universal credit, council tax reductions, pension credit, carer support and social tariffs. With more than £43 million in unclaimed benefits across West Berkshire, the calculator is helping close the gap by making it easier for people to understand and access the support available to them.

We have already seen its impact. After completing the calculator with a team member during a visit to a local food bank, one family discovered support they were eligible for and are now £500 a month better off.

Together, LIFT and the Better Off Calculator are helping residents feel more secure, supported and confident in accessing the help they deserve. Click here to find out more.