Helping households thrive: Council tool unlocks over £250,000 in support for local people and families

West Oxfordshire District Council is using a powerful new data tool to help residents receive the financial support they’re entitled to, helping hundreds of households boost their income, access vital services and avoid financial hardship. 

The Low-Income Family Tracker (LIFT), developed by Policy in Practice, was introduced by the Council in November 2024. The tool uses a mix of welfare policy analysis and council data to help identify households who may be missing out on support. The tool also helps the Council plan the right kind of support and monitor the impact to ensure it is making meaningful difference. 

Councillor Rachel Crouch, Executive Member for Stronger, Healthy Communities, said:"LIFT is already making a real difference for people in West Oxfordshire. By identifying where support is missing, we can act faster and smarter to help those most in need. It’s about using our data to make life better – helping households stay warm, fed and financially stable. 

“Too often, people in crisis don’t know where to turn or don’t realise they’re entitled to support. This tool helps us break down those barriers and reach people before that crisis escalates further." 

In its first campaign, the Council used LIFT to target and write to over 200 pensioners who were eligible for Pension Credit but had not claimed it. As a direct result, 68 residents successfully applied, unlocking £250,000 in financial support including regular payments, backdated income and winter fuel support. 

Following that success, the Council is now using LIFT more widely to promote access to other vital schemes such as Healthy Start, Free School Meals and the Warm Home Discount. These campaigns are designed to help families on lower incomes access extra money, improve their health and well-being, and reduce the risk of falling into debt.

One campaign saw 3,500 households contacted about the Warm Home Discount, a one-off £150 payment towards energy bills. The results showed clear benefits: 114 households were able to clear debts, 81 moved out of a cash shortfall, and 57 households could now afford enough food. In total, many families saw an average increase of £86 in monthly take-home income. 

Through LIFT, the Council is also checking in with residents on Housing Benefit to ensure they receive full support, such as the Severe Disability Premium. In one case, this led to an underpayment of £1,000 being corrected and a long-term increase in income. 

The council will continue running LIFT campaigns throughout the year, using insights to tailor support, enable early intervention, and ensure households access the benefits they are entitled to, strengthening residents’ financial security. This includes working with AgeUK to boost Attendance Allowance uptake for pensioners with significant health conditions and partnering with Citizens Advice to improve financial literacy and provide guidance on reducing household expenses. 

Contact Information

West Oxfordshire District Council Communications Team

communications@westoxon.gov.uk