Cotswold District Council Helps Vulnerable Residents Secure Over £88,000 of Unclaimed Benefits
Cotswold District Council is celebrating a major financial boost for vulnerable residents, with over £88,000 of unclaimed benefits secured through a new support campaign.
Using data insights, the Council identified pension-age residents entitled to, but not claiming, Pension Credit. As a result, 22 pensioners are now receiving vital financial support.
The campaign has delivered:
- £68,545 in annual Pension Credit
- £15,079 in backdated payments
- £4,400 in Winter Fuel Payments
With the estimated lifetime impact of these payments exceeding £421,000, the initiative highlights the power of a targeted approach in ensuring residents receive the support they are due.
Councillor Claire Bloomer, cabinet member for Communities, said: “We are delighted with the success of this campaign. This data-driven approach enables us to proactively reach residents who are entitled to financial support but may not be aware of it. The additional funding secured through this campaign will make a real difference in improving quality of life for our pension-age residents. I would like to say a huge thank you to all our officers who have worked hard on this project so far.”
The Low Income Family Tracker (LIFT) tool, set up in December 2024, enables the Council to take a targeted approach to supporting those in need, helping to ensure eligible residents access all available financial support. The Council is leading the way as the first authority to introduce this programme in Gloucestershire. Following this success, the Council is now planning further campaigns to assist other vulnerable groups across the district.
For more details on the support available, please visit the Cotswold District Council website or call 01285 623035.