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Connecting support: Why your tenants are falling into arrears and what you can do about it Rising rent arrears, increasing income volatility and upcoming changes to disability benefits are creating new challenges for housing providers and local authorities across the UK.

Recent analysis by Policy in Practice highlights how built in features of the welfare system, such as real time income assessment, benefit deductions and policy reforms, are contributing to financial instability among tenants, particularly those already facing structural barriers like disability, caring responsibilities or single parenthood.

For many low income households, the issue isn’t budgeting, it’s that their income is eroded before it arrives. Over half of Universal Credit recipients are repaying debt through automatic deductions, leaving them short for essentials like rent. Others are impacted by erratic payment cycles or policy shifts, increasing the risk of arrears and even homelessness.

In response, Policy in Practice and Pocket Power have partnered to create a more joined up approach to tenant support. By integrating income maximisation tools with accessible referral routes, housing providers can now take a more holistic and proactive approach to preventing arrears and supporting tenancy sustainment.

Join this webinar to explore:

- The current policy landscape and how it impacts tenant incomes
- How integrated tools like the Better Off Calculator and Pocket Power referral service support a smoother customer journey
- Real world insights from guest housing providers who are using smart software to coordinate applications and reduce repeat data collection

If you're working to improve financial outcomes for tenants and reduce tenancy breakdowns, this session will offer timely, practical insights rooted in current data and frontline experience.

With guest speaker: Helen Burgess, Managing Director, Pocket Power

23/7/2025

10:30am BST

1.3 hours

Understanding the impact of disability benefits reforms on local authorities Sweeping changes to disability benefits are set to affect millions of low income households across the UK. While some recent government concessions have softened the immediate impact, significant cuts remain on the horizon, with major implications for councils, NHS services and local support systems.

New analysis from Policy in Practice shows that around 2.9 million people will be affected by the reforms, with combined losses totalling up to £6.8 billion per year. Some households stand to lose as much as £9,000 annually. These losses are not evenly distributed, and some local authorities will be hit far harder than others.

The reforms also risk putting additional pressure on already stretched services. Mental health support, discretionary housing payments, and advice services are all expected to face rising demand as a result of this shift. For councils, understanding who will be affected and preparing early will be key to avoiding deepening hardship in their communities.

In response, Policy in Practice is using local level modelling to help councils forecast the financial and social impact of these reforms. By combining granular data analysis with policy expertise, local authorities can prepare for what's coming and act now to support their most vulnerable residents.

Join this webinar to explore:

- What’s changing with disability benefits and the current policy timeline
- Where the biggest financial impacts will be felt, based on new local modelling
- How councils can prepare and target support to reduce hardship and service demand
- Real world insights from local authorities already responding to these challenges

If you're working in a local authority, the NHS, or wider support services, this session will offer critical insight into a fast moving policy landscape and equip you with the tools to respond proactively and strategically.

With guest speakers to be announced

27/8/2025

10:30am BST

1.3 hours

Elite Supported Employment increased participant’s income by over £3,000

“Staff at Elite Supported Employment find the Policy in Practice Calculator an excellent tool to provide information to our participants. The calculator is easy to use and the expert calculator breakdown tool makes the results easy to understand. Being able to print off the graph also gives our participants a visual document to refer to. It’s also great to be able to save a case, we can easily find a calculation and make any adjustments if needed, saving the time of completing a new calculation.”

The challenge

Elite Supported Employment works to empower people with disabilities across Wales. Their greatest challenge this year has been supporting participants with health conditions and disabilities to gain employment during the pandemic. They also provide in-work support which has been difficult with the social distancing measures. They have also found helping their participants to understand what benefits they may be eligible for and helping them to make a claim another challenge, given the increased volume of people looking for support.

The solution

The Better Off Calculator was a no-brainer for Elite Supported Employment. The software enables the team to complete calculations for their participants. The ability to compare scenarios and demonstrate how much better off someone could be in work is a huge asset.

The printable graph has enabled the team to explain to participants how they will be better off in work. They can complete a number of scenarios to help their participants to make an informed decision about their future.

The impact

Since having the Better Off Calculator Elite Supported Employment has helped 10 young people across our Internship Projects to make a claim for Universal Credit whilst in full time education, due to the fact they have been in receipt of enhanced PIP. This amounts to an average annual increase of £3,090 per year which has made a huge difference to their lives.

The team hope to see successes in the number of participants they will be able help to gain suitable employment in the coming months. Using the Better Off Calculator as part of their service enables them to help them gain suitable employment, and this is going to form an important part of the next few months.