The Configuration section in the admin portal allows you to manage support scheme settings, referral links, and application statuses. With self-serve features, admins can customise configurations without needing to contact Lightning Reach for updates.


Logging into the admin portal

  1. Go to the admin portal: admin.lightningreach.org.
  2. Log in with your admin credentials.

Navigating to configuration

  1. In the left-hand menu, click Configuration.
  2. You will see a list of support schemes available for your organisation.

Features available in configuration

Referral links

Referral links allow you to create custom links to track the success of campaigns and measure how users discover your support schemes.

Creating a custom referral link:

  1. Hover over the Referral links header and click the + Add icon.
  2. Add a unique identifier (e.g., "summercampaign") to the end of the URL.
    • Example: https://lightningreach.org/application-portal?referral=[your-org-name]-summercampaign.
  3. Save the link.

Copying a referral link:

  1. Hover over the referral link you want to copy and click the Copy icon.
  2. Use the copied link in campaigns.

Freezing and unfreezing applications

This feature allows you to temporarily stop or reopen applications for a specific support scheme.

To freeze applications:

  1. Find the relevant support scheme and click Edit.
  2. Toggle Freeze applications to "on".
  3. Add an optional custom message for applicants (e.g., "Applications are closed until 1st February 2025."). If no message is added, a default message will be displayed.
  4. Click Submit to save.

To unfreeze applications:

  1. Click Edit on the relevant support scheme.
  2. Toggle Freeze applications to "off".
  3. Click Submit to make the scheme available again.

Allowing applicants to reapply

This feature enables you to define when applicants can reapply after a previous application.

  1. Click Edit on the relevant support scheme.
  2. Toggle the Reapply option to "on".
  3. Select the timeframe for reapplication eligibility:
    • Reapply anytime.
    • Reapply after a set number of months (e.g., 12 months).
  4. Add optional custom copy for the applicant.

Enabling Quick Apply

The Quick Apply feature streamlines the application process by removing the need for a full profile.

  1. Click Edit on the support scheme.
  2. Toggle Quick Applyon for either/both:
    • Applicants: A custom Quick Apply link is created and added to the applicant dashboard.
    • Support workers: Support workers will see the scheme in the Quick Apply section of their client dashboard.
  3. Click Submit to save.

Adding custom award decision reasons

Admins can add custom decision reasons for approving or declining applications to meet bespoke reporting needs.

  1. Click Edit on the support scheme.
  2. Toggle the Custom Award Reasons option to "on".
  3. Add new decision reasons by typing into the field and pressing Enter.
  4. Click Submit to save.

Reviewing and saving changes

After making any changes in the Configuration section:

  1. Review all settings.
  2. Click Submit to confirm your updates.
  3. Check the scheme’s status to ensure changes are reflected correctly.


Referral links

Support scheme editing




freeze/unfreeze applications:




  1. Log into the Admin Portal
    Go to the admin portal at admin.lightningreach.org and log in with your admin credentials.

  2. Navigate to Configuration
    In the left-hand menu, click Configuration. This will take you to the list of support schemes available.

  3. Find the Relevant Support Scheme
    Look for the support scheme you want to update (e.g., "Financial Assistance"). Once you locate it, click the Edit button on the right-hand side.

  4. Freeze Applications
    In the pop-up window that appears:

    • Toggle off Freeze applications to stop new applications.
    • A text box will appear where you can add a custom message visible to those trying to apply. A message could be something like: “We are not accepting applications at this time. Applications will reopen on 13th January.”

  5. Unfreeze Applications
    To make applications available again, simply toggle Freeze applications off. This will immediately reopen the scheme to new applications.

  6. Review and Save Changes
    Double-check your changes, then click Submit at the bottom of the window to save.

  7. Confirm Changes Are Live
    Once saved, the system will display the updated configuration, and applicants will see the appropriate status (either open or frozen).