Around 11,000 residents in West Berkshire could be missing out on unclaimed benefits.
Around 11,000 residents in West Berkshire could be missing out on unclaimed benefits. West Berkshire Council has introduced the Low Income Family Tracker (LIFT) 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.
The project aims to improve financial wellbeing, reduce food and fuel poverty, and lower council tax and rent arrears. Monthly reports will track the impact and help determine whether to continue the programme beyond 2026.
Denise Gaines (Lib Dem, Hungerford and Kintbury), 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 more than 120 other local authorities already using LIFT.
Niki Hinman, Local Democracy Reporter
