Benefits Calculator

Description

MaPS is seeking to identify a solution to be embedded in our MoneyHelper website that can provide customers with an estimate of potential benefit entitlements before moving onto a more detailed calculation. Lot 1: 1. Introduction to Money and Pensions Service We are an arm's-length body, sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions, with a joint commitment to ensuring that people throughout the UK have guidance and access to the information they need to make effective financial decisions over their lifetime. We deliver this across five core functions. We are funded by levies on both the financial services industry and pension schemes. More information about MaPS can be found on our website, 2. Background to Benefits Calculator In February 2023, MaPS began testing how better to help our customers increase and maximise their disposable income by embedding a third-party benefits/social tariffs/other entitlements calculator into MoneyHelper. We have been testing a two-stage process where customers first receive an estimate of their potential entitlements before moving on to a more detailed calculation, the results of which may include what they are already claiming. Analysis of customer data from the pilot indicates that substantially more people are helped by embedding this two-stage journey compared to simply providing a link to third-party calculators. It is important to note we are not looking for an advice-led solution. This is because MoneyHelper is not a welfare rights or advice agency for people faced with claims issues (we signpost to third parties for this); rather, we see income derived from benefits as a part of deeper financial management journeys for those most in need of guidance. The summary of the functionality is as follows. • The widest possible coverage of benefits, social tariffs and other entitlements across the UK, including in the devolved administrations, for people of all ages and circumstances. • A calculator with a two-stage process - an initial estimate of entitlements based on a simple set of questions and a fuller calculation to confirm the original estimate. • Data analytics to allow us to understand how close initial estimates are to the fuller calculations, including which benefits, social tariffs and other entitlements they apply to (these figures are based on the calculations, not on whether customers go on to make a claim). • Flexibility to improve customer journeys thereby encouraging engagement with the benefits calculator and smoothing the transition to additional MoneyHelper guidance - or through referring users to third-party advice services if they face more complicated scenarios beyond the scope of MoneyHelper. The summary of the technical specification is as follows. - We require the service to be available on our consumer facing website, MoneyHelper, within a MoneyHelper branded page, integrated with the MoneyHelper website, hosted by you on a subdomain of our choosing. We require the supplier to;  - Provide the digital user interface and customer journeys in English and Welsh  - Customize the interface in accordance with the MoneyHelper brand and Style Guide,   - Hosting should be in the UK wherever possible. UK support to avoid the potential of processing outside the UK and Europe. - Provide the ability for MaPS to add and approve written prompts and guidance  - Meet level AA of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1) as a minimum - Work on the most commonly used assistive technologies - including screen magnifiers, screen readers and speech recognition tools - Include people with disabilities in user research - Have an accompanying accessibility page that explains how accessible the service is - published on the date the service moves into public beta - Should work without JavaScript, though it doesn't have to work exactly the same as with JavaScript. Additional information: The purpose of this market engagement is to gain insight into market interest for this potential opportunity, determine capability and capacity and obtain your input in developing the specification for the proposed solution. To express an interest in this potential opportunity, please email Commercial@maps.org.uk with reference P0131 Benefits Calculator. We are also hosting a webinar on Tuesday, 6 August 2024 at 1:30 pm. To register for this event please use the link below. https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/0c294e3b-f0f5-4021-a0f6-378bb7ac948a@bbe41032-8fce-4d42-bab5-44e21510886d If you encounter any issues with registration, contact commercial@maps.org.uk with reference 'P0131 Benefits Calculator Webinar'.