Orbit has helped customers secure more than £857,000 in additional household income during the first quarter of 2026/27 through its Better Days customer support programme, providing vital assistance amid ongoing cost-of-living pressures.
The not-for-profit affordable housing provider delivered 1,345 cost-of-living support interventions between April and June 2026, helping customers increase their income, manage debt and reduce household expenses. The support generated an estimated £857,561 in annualised financial gains, while helping customers manage £157,186 of debt and achieve a further £144,342 in estimated savings.
Orbit worked with hundreds of customers through specialist financial inclusion, welfare benefits and energy advice services, alongside hardship grants and practical support.
Among those supported was Mira, a single parent of three children who contacted Orbit after receiving an unexpectedly high council tax bill. A comprehensive benefits review uncovered missing 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 ongoing increase in monthly income and additional council tax support.
The programme is making a significant difference for customers facing financial hardship. During the quarter:
£857,561 in estimated increased household income was secured for customers.
£157,186 of customer debt was managed, including £119,000 written off and £83,000 rescheduled
£144,342 in customer estimated savings was achieved through energy support and financial guidance
656 customer grants were awarded to help with hardship, food and energy costs
Nicola Cale, Customer Welfare Strategy Lead for Orbit commented: "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."
During the first quarter of this year, Orbit found that welfare benefits advice remained the most common area of support, accounting for 67% of all financial inclusion support interventions. Overall, the organisation supported 412 customers through welfare benefit advice, helping people access the financial support they are entitled to receive.
The Better Days programme forms part of Orbit's wider commitment to supporting customers and communities by removing barriers created by financial hardship, poor health, unemployment and social isolation. During the quarter, the programme generated £1.7 million in overall social value calculated using HACT methodology.