Case Study - Rugby Borough Council Cost-of-Living Support Pilot
Background and Context
Between August and December 2025, Welfare Together undertook a comprehensive, ward‑wide review of 2,431 households across 116 postcodes, using a structured, intelligence‑driven approach to identify financial vulnerability and intervene early.
Challenges and Objectives
The pilot was designed to “proactively identify households experiencing financial vulnerability and provide targeted, practical cost‑of‑living support.” This was not a passive or reactive service – it was a model of preventative engagement at scale.
Using council and partner datasets, each household was assessed for financial risk, benefit entitlement, council tax reduction eligibility, statutory discounts, and access to social tariffs. Every data point represented an actionable intervention, ensuring the project remained fully auditable and outcome‑focused. This meticulous approach enabled Welfare Together to establish successful contact with 487 households, delivering tailored support to those most in need.
Despite the delivery period being compressed from 12 months to just 5 due to delays in data provision, Welfare Together expanded the project far beyond its original scope, absorbing additional delivery costs without requesting further funding. This commitment ensured every household in the ward received a fair opportunity for support.
Results and Successes
The impact was significant. 101 households received full benefit entitlement checks, identifying unclaimed income and reducing financial pressure. 49 households were supported with council tax reduction or related savings, and 101 households were guided through social tariff options for energy, water, and broadband. For those in immediate hardship, Welfare Together issued direct financial assistance via vouchers, with 6 households receiving direct financial assistance via hardship vouchers.
The financial outcomes were exceptional. The pilot generated £159,236.50 in conservative, attributable financial gains for residents, equating to £15.92 returned for every £1 invested by the council in grant funding. This represents one of the strongest ROI outcomes recorded in a local authority cost‑of‑living initiative of this scale. Beyond direct financial gains, the project delivered wider system benefits including arrears prevention, reduced demand on crisis services, and improved long‑term collection sustainability.
Crucially, the initiative placed dignity and human connection at its core. Resident feedback highlights the compassionate, person‑centred approach Welfare Together is known for. One resident shared: “Thank you for getting me help with my council tax. I have been awarded £2,835.58 – this is a weight off my mind.” Another commented: “They went the extra mile to get me help. I would recommend this service to anyone.”
This Hillmorton pilot project demonstrates Welfare Together’s leadership in vulnerability strategy, data‑driven intervention, and ethical customer support. It is a scalable, high‑impact model that sets a benchmark for the credit, collections, and public sectors alike.
