Orbit support helps customers secure £857,000 in additional household income

Orbit customers secured more than £857,000 in additional household income during the first quarter of 2026/27 through the housing provider’s Better Days support programme.

Between April and June 2026, Orbit delivered 1,345 cost-of-living support interventions, helping customers access welfare benefits, manage debt, reduce household costs and access hardship support.

The support generated an estimated £857,561 in annualised financial gains, while £157,186 of customer debt was managed and a further £144,342 in estimated savings was achieved.

Welfare benefits advice remains key area of support

Orbit worked with hundreds of customers through financial inclusion, welfare benefits and energy advice services, alongside grants and other practical support.

Orbit Welfare benefits advice accounted for 67% of all financial inclusion interventions during the quarter, with 412 customers receiving support to access benefits and other financial assistance.

The programme also awarded 656 grants to help customers with hardship, food and energy costs. Of the £157,186 of debt managed, £119,000 was written off and £83,000 was rescheduled.

One customer, a single parent of three referred to as Mira, contacted Orbit after receiving an unexpectedly high council tax bill.

A benefits review identified disability-related benefit entitlements dating back several years.

With support from Orbit, Mira could receive up to £25,000 in backdated Universal Credit, alongside an increase in ongoing monthly income and additional council tax support.

Nicola Cale, Customer Welfare Strategy Lead at Orbit, said: “Many customers continue to face difficult financial circumstances. Through Better Days, we’re committed to helping people maximise their income, manage essential costs and sustain successful tenancies.

“These figures show the real difference that targeted support can make to people’s lives, helping them build greater financial resilience and security.

“Behind every statistic is a person, family or household whose circumstances have improved. Whether that’s someone accessing benefits they didn’t realise they were entitled to, reducing energy costs, or receiving support to avoid financial hardship, we’re proud to be creating a positive and lasting impact in the communities we serve.”

The Better Days programme generated £1.7m in overall social value during the quarter, calculated using HACT methodology.

Orbit said the programme forms part of its wider work to support customers experiencing financial hardship, poor health, unemployment and social isolation.