Sefton Council has once again used data crunching technology to benefit local residents.

Weren’t claiming

Eighty pensioners are now receiving £423,700 in additional Pension Credit support that they are entitled to but weren’t claiming.  Around £76,400 of that amount is backdated Pension Credit payments.

That’s an average £4,631 extra per household each year. Based on average life expectancy figures, that means those 80 people will receive an extra £3.7 million between them.

Using the Low Income Family Tracker (LIFT) data system, Sefton Council identified pensioners in Sefton who were not claiming Pension Credit but appeared to be eligible. The Council sent letters to those households telling them they qualified and explaining how to apply.

Don’t miss out

Cllr Liz Dowd, Sefton Council’s Cabinet member whose responsibilities include Welfare Rights said: “At Sefton Council we are determined that local people don’t miss out on the support they are entitled to whatever their age, so I am delighted that using this smart technology we have been able to reach out directly to benefit local people.

“The outcome of that work - 80 pension-aged people in Sefton receiving this extra income through Pension Credit – is great.

“It means over £370,000 per year extra income for local people who need it. And as well as providing this extra cash, Pension Credit also unlocks other support such as Winter Fuel Payments, help with Council Tax, NHS dental care and, for those over 75, a free TV licence.”

You can find out more about Pension Credit and how to claim it at www.gov.uk/pension-credit.

Free meals

Last year, Sefton Council used the LIFT system to identify 130 additional children who were eligible to receive free meals. A second round identified a further 35 children who are also now receiving free school meals.

As well as benefiting children and families in Sefton that initiative meant that their Sefton schools were able to access an extra £175,000 in ‘Pupil Premium’ funding. The extra 35 pupils identified in the second round will increase that figure by a further £49,995.

Next target

Cllr Dowd added: “We have now used the data system to benefit school pupils and their schools and pensioners.

“Our next targe will be to encourage the take-up of the national Healthy Start scheme, which can provide eligible people 10 or more weeks pregnant or with child under 4, with help to buy healthy food and milk.”

You can watch the healthy Start video here.