West Berkshire Council launches new tool to help residents access unclaimed benefits and allowances

West Berkshire Council has introduced the Low Income Family Tracker (LIFT), a new data tool developed by Policy in Practice, to help residents access financial support they may be missing out on. 

LIFT uses anonymised data from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Council to identify households eligible for benefits such as Pension Credit, Winter Fuel Allowance, Attendance Allowance, and Free School Meals, but who are not currently claiming them. 

Residents eligible for additional financial support will be contacted by letter or text, signposting them to online claim forms or local support through the Let's Talk programme, which regularly visits libraries, food banks, and community hubs across West Berkshire. 

Research suggests that significant benefits may be unclaimed across 11,000 residents in the district. The project aims to improve financial wellbeing, reduce food and fuel poverty, and lower Council Tax and rent arrears. It also brings wider benefits, such as additional funding for schools when children are registered for Free School Meals. 

Funded by Public Health for its first year, the Council will run several targeted campaigns, each focusing on a different area. Monthly reports will track the impact and help determine whether to continue the programme beyond 2026. 

Councillor Denise Gaines, Executive Member for Planning and Housing said: 

"LIFT is a powerful step forward for West Berkshire. It's about more than data; it's about making a real difference in people's lives. Too many residents are missing out on vital support, and this project helps us change that. By reaching out directly, we can put money back into families' pockets, ease financial pressures, and give people the security they deserve." 

West Berkshire joins over 120 other local authorities already using LIFT, and seeing strong results in benefit uptake.