Unclaimed benefits in Wales, SMS campaigns to drive take up and other work we're doing to close the unclaimed support gap

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£2 billion in support to go unclaimed in Wales this year
In exclusive research for BBC Wales Policy in Practice identified that the total sum of unclaimed support in Wales from both the UK and Welsh governments is £2 billion. Rachael Walker discussed these findings on the BBC Radio Wales Breakfast Show and BBC Wales Today. We continue to develop analysis of regional and local estimates of unclaimed support across the UK. If you are a regional leader and would like to partner with us please email hello@policyinpractice.co.uk.
We spoke about closing the £23 billion unclaimed support gap across the UK
A busy month of events saw the team travelling across the country. Deven attended ADR Scotland in Edinburgh, while Adam Kenny made his IRRV golf tournament debut following the sales team appearance at IRRV Milton Keynes. In Manchester, we presented to the Frontline Advisors gathering and the Greater Manchester Welfare Rights Action Group and joined British Gas Energy Trust at their conference. In London we attended MALG’s event in the London Transport Museum, presenting alongside Equifax on their financial health report, which we were pleased to contribute to.
We launch our first SMS campaign to boost Healthy Start Scheme take up
For the first time we have sent text messages as well as letters to encourage eligible residents to apply for the Healthy Start Scheme via a direct application link. Our campaign to encourage families to apply for the support launched last month across Redbridge, Haringey, Lewisham and Greenwich councils. Commissioned by the Greater London Authority, the project aims to help thousands of households access crucial nutritional and financial support for their children. Initial results suggest a very positive take up rate.

Policy in Practice paves the way for new approaches to social tariff applications

Policy in Practice has contributed to the Fabian Society’s report analysing the impact of the poverty premium on utilities, food and other essential services. The report sets out how these sectors, regulators and the government have failed low income households. Deven Ghelani and Rory Ewan made recommendations on how to tackle this by increasing takeup of social tariffs through the use of benefit checks, calculators and application processes to allow individuals to seamlessly apply for social tariffs when completing a benefits check.

Our latest report, Missing Out 2024, revealed that £974 million in water social tariffs go unclaimed each year. Our work with the utility sectors aims to combat administrative complexity and provide a single route assessment through national statutory benefits and discretionary schemes.

Speaking this month at a talk hosted by the Quaker Social Action group, Tylor-Maria Johnson presented alongside our partners at Northumbrian Water Group on the landscape in relation to water rates, including how they're calculated and the support available.

Northumbrian’s partnership with Anglian Water has allowed customers with both organisations to complete a one click, single application to apply for social tariffs for both. As a result both the customer’s sewerage and water bills will automatically be on the right tariff without the customer needing to duplicate applications, improving the experience for customers and customer service teams in both organisations alike.

Importance of supporting unpaid carers vital ahead of upcoming election

Ahead of the General Election on Thursday 4 July Carers UK calls on all political parties to commit to transforming the lives of unpaid carers.

Speaking on the importance of supporting unpaid carers, Rachael Walker said:

“Providing support to carers should be a national priority, yet the system of financial support currently available is falling short. With more than £2.2 billion in unclaimed Carer’s Allowance, unpaid carers shore up our national health and social care services, and are often living in poverty and debt as a result. We owe it to carers to provide support when we can, and flagging their status through the VRS is a great step towards this.”

Rachael will speak on Friday 7 June at the Vulnerability Registration Service event ‘Care For Those Who Care’ which takes place ahead of Carer’s Week on 10 to 16 June.

Council Tax Support? A benefit determined by postcode not need

Zoe Charlesworth recently contributed to Citizen's Advice recent report on Council Tax Support. The report highlights the postcode lottery that exists for low income households since the localisation of Council Tax Reduction. CTR is the most effective way that a council can support its low income residents and the report highlights changes that councils can make to their scheme to ensure greater fairness. At PIP we are working with a wide variety of councils to model scheme changes that will support their residents.

Look back on our webinar with the Royal Borough of Greenwich to learn:

How early adopters of CTR banded schemes are now refining their approaches
How automation is increasing collection rates and improving internal efficiency
Why increasing the generosity of your CTR scheme will lead to better collection rates and reduced staff costs

We’ve just launched a new management dashboard in the Better Off Calculator called Impact Report.
Managers can now:

View total benefits and support identified for clients
See the number of new individuals supported and the corresponding value

Gain deeper insights into your impact with the Better Off Calculator. Together we can close the £23 billion unclaimed benefits gap.

Vote: Review and vote for the Better Off Calculator to win at Consumer Credit Awards
Read: Unlocking impact: Top 10 features in the Better Off Calculator
Learn about the Better Off Calculator: How to grow the financial strength of your customers

Webinar replay: Unlocking £23 billion: How data and proactive engagement can enhance pre-arrears support

Listen back to hear

New analysis on unclaimed benefits and support in the UK
What support is going unclaimed, and why
Policy and frontline work by Greater Manchester Poverty Action to tackle poverty
Actions that policymakers, organisations and individuals can take
Impact achieved to close the unclaimed support gap
Questions and answers with our panel

With guest speakers Laura Burgess, Senior Policy and Research Advisor and Dan Oliver Head of Programmes at Greater Manchester Poverty Action

Adam Kenny, Business Development Manager (North), above, said:

"It was fantastic to compete in my first IRRV golf tournament this month. Thanks to Bob Trahern for the invite and especially Ian Savigar for taking some pictures that make me look like I can actually play!

"Calling all clients, colleagues, partners and friends: I'm looking for a partner to play with at Maxstowe Park on the 1st July, drop me a message with your handicap and a highlight reel of your favourite five hole-in-ones, albatrosses and 300 yard+ drives... PGA professionals encouraged. Or I suppose a casual golfer will do..."

Contact Adam via adam.kenny@policyinpractice.co.uk or 07717 639 412