Vodafone taps Moneyhub to Automate Tariff Eligibility Checks

Vodafone, the UK mobile network operator, has partnered with financial data platform Moneyhub to streamline verification processes for its social tariff programme through open banking technology.

Initially launched in 2020, ‘VOXI For Now’ serves as a mobile tariff for customers receiving government benefits. Recipients of Jobseeker's Allowance, Disability Allowance, Personal Independent Payment, Employment and Support Allowance, and employment-based Universal Credit can access the service. 

Growing demand led to operational bottlenecks under the previous manual verification system, prompting Vodafone to take an automated approach. 

Technical Integration

Using open banking connections - technology enabling regulated third parties to access banking data with customer consent - Moneyhub's systems verify benefit payments in customer accounts. As an FCA-regulated fintech firm, Moneyhub provides the infrastructure for eligibility checks.

During sign-up, applicants grant one-time consent for bank account scanning. The verification completes without impact on credit scores or requiring data transfers between organisations, delivering results in near real-time.

Scott Currie, Head of VOXI at Vodafone, says: “We launched ‘VOXI For Now’ to help those who need it most, providing unlimited data, calls and texts at a heavily discounted rate for those receiving government benefits. 

“Utilising Moneyhub's open finance technology, we have been able to streamline the automated eligibility checking. 

“This means VOXI customers no longer have to wait for a manual verification; which means we can get people who are typically financially underserved connected to the services they need faster.”

Consumer Financial Services

Through VOXI Drop - a customer loyalty and benefits programme with monthly rewards - members receive 12 months of complimentary access to Moneyhub's consumer application, normally priced at £14.99 (US$18.94) annually. 

Users can connect different financial accounts including current accounts, savings, mortgages, pensions, credit cards and investments in one place.

The Moneyhub platform includes budget management, spending analysis, savings goals and rent recognition features. Customers can access these tools to understand their money and work towards financial goals.

Research from Moneyhub indicates that 50% of Generation Z express concerns about their financial situation. Customer data shows an eightfold increase in savings activities within six months of dashboard adoption.

VOXI Drop offers rewards spanning beauty, tech, food and more. Vodafone receives anonymised, aggregated insights into customer spending habits, which inform customer engagement strategies and personalised rewards.

Dan Scholey, Chief Commercial Officer at Moneyhub, adds: “Through the cost of living crisis and beyond, consumers need simple and accessible ways to manage their finances which focus on supporting financial wellness.”

Vodafone shake up

Vodafone’s partnership with Moneyhub comes amid plans to combine its mobile network with Three UK and form a single provider, fist announced in 2023. 

Since then, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has suggested the proposed merger could actually lead to millions of customers having to pay more.

As such, Vodafone’s move to partner with Moneyhub represents a positive shift to reaffirm the mobile provider’s commitment to financial inclusion and customer support. 

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