Assessing financial need using the Minimum Income Standard: a review - Closeup of calculator, and pen on top of paper with financial calculations

Last updated February 2018

Research Report on MIS & ACO members Nov 2017

This is the full report on results of online survey and follow-up interviews on ACO member charities' use of the Minimum Income Standard to help them assess the financial needs of individuals and households - Prof. Donald Hirsch, Centre for Research & Social Policy, Loughborough University, November 2017.

1. Have you heard of the Minimum Income Standard (MIS)?

2. If ‘Yes’ which answer would you say best reflects your awareness of the research?

I know the basics of what MIS represents

I know broadly how the research is carried out

I know broadly how MIS can be used

Question 2c - Chart - Q2c: I understand broadly how MIS can be used - 60% yes

3. Has your organisation used or considered using the Minimum Income Standard?

Yes, we have used it

Question 3a - Chart - Q3a: Has your organisation used or considered using the Minimum Income Standard? 57% know the basics of what MIS represents

We have considered using it, but not done so

Question 3b - Chart - Q3b: Has your organisation used or considered using the Minimum Income Standard? 24% have considered using it, but not done so

We have not considered using it

Question 3c - Chart - Q3c: Has your organisation used or considered using the Minimum Income Standard? 14% have not considered using it

4. How have you used MIS?

To assess applicants’ incomes to determine eligibility for grants

If yes, is this your main criterion for assessing eligibility?

Question 4b1 - Chart - Q4b: How have you used MIS?: 56% main criterion for assessing eligibility

Do you use it for other purposes?

Question 4c - Chart - Q4c: How have you used MIS?: 33% for other purposes

5. Of the grants awarded using MIS as a criterion, in the most recent year for which data is available:

Approximately how many grants were awarded?

4,534 with an average of 775

Approximately what was their total value?

Range from £4,800 to £6m, average £1.1m

6. Other purposes: Do you use MIS other than to compare someone’s overall income to the MIS budgets (eg looking at specific areas of spending)?

Question 6 - Chart - Q6: 33% use MIS other than to compare someone’s overall income to the MIS budgets

7. Having considered using MIS, what are the reasons that you are not doing so at present?

“We want to align the use of it with a review of our own grant-making criteria and policy”

“ It would involve changing the system we are using at the moment… a matter of having the resources to change it at present”

“We are currently looking at our assessment process and this will be something we look at”

“We are undertaking a strategic review. It will be discussed as part of reviewing our existing programme and developing any new programme”

“It needs to be part of a broader strategic re-think, which is in process”

8. Might you consider using MIS in the future?

Question 8 - Chart - Q8: 100% might consider using MIS in the future

Survey conducted between 19/11/2017 and 10/12/2017

Research in association with JRF (Joseph Rowntree Foundation) and Loughborough University CSRP - Logos for JRF and Loughborough University CSRP

Report to view & download

Research Report on MIS & ACO members - Dec 2017

Report

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