Denbighshire Council is participating in a new, innovative project to identify residents who are missing out on over £42 million of unclaimed benefits.
Over 13,000 Denbighshire households are missing out on financial support resulting in over 28,500 missed claims.
Led by the Welsh Government, 12 local authorities across Wales are participating in the project from January-December 2025 to identify and reach out to residents who may not realise they’re eligible for support.
Last year, pensioners across Denbighshire gained £872,442 in unclaimed benefits following a proactive Pension Credit campaign. In total, 115 residents benefitted, with £215,142 Pension Credit claims however, other benefits including Attendance Allowance, Council Tax Reduction, State Pension, Housing Benefit, Personal Independence Payment and the Winter Fuel Payment were also identified as a result of full benefit checks.
Participating in the pilot project will provide an opportunity to build on the Council’s successes and provide much needed support to even more households.
Working with the data analytics company, Policy in Practice, the Council will be using the Low-Income Family Tracker (LIFT) platform to identify residents who are missing out on financial support. The platform will enable the Council to develop and implement campaigns based on more robust data analysis to reach our most vulnerable households. Policy in Practice estimates over £2 billion of benefits are unclaimed in Wales each year.
Councillor Jason McLellan, Leader of Denbighshire County Council and Lead Member for Economic Growth and Tackling Deprivation said:
“I’m really pleased that Denbighshire is part of this pilot. Maximising income through the take up of benefits and reducing expenses is essential to help residents on low incomes with rising living costs. The LIFT platform will be a vital component in helping us proactively identify our vulnerable residents before they reach crisis levels.
Making it simpler for people to access the support they need will make a real difference to the financial wellbeing of individuals as well as strengthening our local communities.”
Deven Ghelani, Director and founder of Policy in Practice, said:
“We’re thrilled to work with Denbighshire Council to help put over £42 million of unclaimed benefits and support directly into the pockets of local people. As one of the first councils in Wales to proactively use their data and our LIFT platform to identify and engage with individual households, Denbighshire is leading the way in supporting residents. This money has the power to lift thousands of families out of hardship, making a real difference in their lives.”
The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Jane Hutt, said:
“When someone successfully claims the benefits they’re entitled to, it can provide much-needed stability and peace of mind during challenging times. Our partnership with Denbighshire Council and 11 other local authorities represents a significant shift in how support is given – proactively identifying people who may need assistance rather than waiting for them to come forward. I urge everyone to claim what is yours.”
Citizens Advice Denbighshire offers free, confidential advice and support for all residents including full benefit checks, money advice, energy and housing support.
