What can we learn from administrative benefits data?

We present the opportunities and limitations of administrative benefits data held by local authorities for linkage projects. Whilst richness this has been exploited practitioners administration, its potential remains little explored researchers. discuss quality, sample selection legal gateways sharing.
 Drawing on our experience working with over 40 authorities, we structure three datasets: Council Tax Reduction Scheme, Single Housing Benefits Extract Universal Credit Data Share. show what variables are usually included, under which can be shared how cohorts represented within compare low-income population. these datasets linked at household level a number other such as social rent arrears, Benefit overpayments Discretionary Payments (DHPs).
 Administrative provides comprehensive snapshot household’s financial situation. Local proactively use share external processors to fulfil their statutory duties if gateway allows. By identifying households risk cash shortfalls before they reach crisis point, councils target support when administering welfare schemes preventing homelessness. assessing eligibility benefits, run data-driven uptake campaigns. This captures proportion population national authority several points in time. Attrition is concern since may leave Some will see income rise no longer qualify benefits. Others move out constituency.
 routinely process longitudinal receiving means-tested housing council tax support, discretionary funds. unique real-time insight into socioeconomic situation households. Yet, that promising policy research largely untapped.