Benefits online

Self-service calculator for citizens

Background / Overview

2003 saw the biggest change nationally to the welfare benefits system for a generation. It is becoming increasingly recognised that Citizens and other influencers are starting to question whether the government has produced any real improvements in service.

In response, in February 2004 the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) defined priority service areas that must be delivered by local authorities by 2005. "Benefits" are a clearly identified priority area with local authorities required by December 2005 to ensure:

• Online facilities to be available to allow:
  • Citizens or their agents to check their eligibility for and calculate their entitlement to Housing & Council Tax benefit and to download and print relevant claim forms.

Source: Defining E-Government Outcomes for 2005, ODPM

The solution

Ferret Information Systems, have long been recognised as the leading supplier of advice and information systems in this area. To a large extent you could say that we invented the business.

• Worlds first PC benefits advice system - 1980
• Worlds first Hand-Held benefits advice system - 1986
• Worlds first Web benefits assessment system - 1995

benefits online: means-tested benefits advisor

Today we can provide both advisor and consumer oriented solutions available on multiple platforms including: PC, Networks, Intranets, Public Web, Kiosks, Handheld PDA's and mobile phones. With our advanced and detailed rule-based systems you get the capability to provide a range of services from the simplest stand-alone calculator to the most sophisticated integrated authority wide advice and assessment system. All backed by our support system manned by some of the country's leading benefits specialists, our constant monitoring of legislation and our unmatched depth and accuracy of assessment.

Benefits

• Puts customer service into the front line by providing 24/7 access to benefits advice enabling the citizen to find out about their entitlement to almost every benefit in the UK, at their own speed.
• Inexpensively provides a choice of "summary" or "detailed" advice to citizens
• Accurate advice produces better information applications and so saves on processing time
• Electronic data transfer to and from back office systems provides for increased efficiencies
• Increased take up improves customer service, may help to reduce poverty and also may help to increase central government funding.
• Demonstrates progress in implementing e-Government and provides evidence for IEG statements and projects
• The System is kept up to date and accurate
• Colours, text, fonts and logos can be tailored to meet individual LA requirements.
• Can be up and running in a matter of days

Options

To meet the requirements of the ODPM you could choose from a range of options to provide alternative levels of service to your citizens:

• A simple web based Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit calculation system with downloadable forms for completion by hand - but with all of the essential, hidden from the user, complexities such as 2nd Adult Rebate and Notional Income.
• With additional assessments of other benefits including Income Support, Income Based JSA, Guarantee Pensions Credit and Savings Pension Credit.
• Plus the addition of Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit assessments and modelling of future entitlements
• Sophisticated e-forms technology, integrating calculations, for on-line applications or submissions, with data structures designed to integrate into back-office, workflow and visiting officer systems.
• Multi-lingual touch-screen kiosk systems with quick and detailed modes of operation to encourage users to discover their entitlements and learn about the benefits system
• Detailed information and advice for non means tested benefits such as disability, incapacity and National Insurance based schemes
• Hosted option available
• The flexibility of our systems allows for almost a "pick and mix" selection to fit your needs.

benefits online: web benefits report

Our in depth understanding of citizen modelling combined with our deep knowledge and experience of public oriented dialogue ensures that customers will find our solutions easy to understand by providing an easy-to-use dialogue, enhanced by context sensitive help, to assist with information collection.

Technology

Microsoft .NET: For XML web services targeting the Microsoft .NET framework, our solutions are middle-tier .NET managed components (interfacing via ASP.NET, ADO.NET, WSDL, UDDI and SOAP) operating within Windows Server 2003 and IIS 6.0.

Ferret's customers include government departments, local authorities, housing associations, advice agencies, universities, social welfare organisations, solicitors and barristers.