Supermarket voucher scheme for low-income households in Adur and Worthing

Sussex councils use data analysis tech to identify 131 households eligible to receive vouchers worth £100, paid for through the government’s household support fund  

More than a hundred households in Adur and Worthing recently received a very welcome letter from their local authority. Adur and Worthing Councils offered them supermarket vouchers worth £100 to spend on groceries or household items. 

Photo by Tara Clark / Unsplash

The councils’ Proactive team of caseworkers identified the 131 eligible households as having a low income or being impacted by the two-child benefit. This was done using LIFT, a data analysis platform from Policy in Practice, a leading social policy software and analytics company. The tech gathers data from multiple separate systems in one place, enabling the team to target support more quickly and effectively. 

The team says the supermarket voucher scheme is just one example of its efforts to help vulnerable residents across the region given the increased cost of living. For example, last year it invited more than 600 households to apply for a cash grant of £150. To be eligible, households needed to be claiming housing benefit or council tax support and living in properties with a low energy efficiency rating. 

Housing Support Fund money is also put towards deposits for housing, rent in advance and the purchase of white goods and furniture. Eligible residents identified by the Proactive team can also access support from other partner organisations including financial advice, digital well-being checks, reduced water bills and even free swimming lessons.  

Policy in Practice has published a case study on how Adur and Worthing used LIFT to build stronger community partnerships. See also cost of living support in Adur and Worthing.    

Cllr Sharon Sluman, Adur Cabinet Member for Communities and Well-Being, says: ‘We know that cost of living pressures means more of our residents are struggling with household bills and costs. This targeted, proactive approach means we are able to offer support much earlier to help stop issues spiralling.’ 

Cllr Dom Ford, Worthing Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Leisure, adds: ‘Our Proactive team is in regular contact with some of the most vulnerable members of our community, taking time to offer personalised support that makes a real difference to people’s everyday lives.’ 

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