Part 1: The structure of the system / The importance of health & disability benefits

Aims

This part of the course looks at the different types of benefits that make up the system, their main qualifying rules and the way the system fits together. It also considers how people claim benefits when they are affected by a health condition or a disability.

Objectives

By the end of this part of the course participants will:

Understand how the benefits system is structured and the differences between contributory, non-contributory and means tested benefits
Know who can claim each of the benefits which make up the system
Be able to help people identify and claim the right benefits when they are affected by a health condition or a disability.

Part 2: Means tested benefits / Maximising income from benefits

Aims

This part of the course looks at means tested benefits including which means tested benefit to claim and an awareness of amounts.

Objectives

By the end of this part of the course participants will:

Understand the relationships between legacy benefits, universal credit (UC) and pension credit/housing benefit
Know when it is appropriate to advise on a claim to UC and when it is important to check further
Have an awareness of the different rates within means tested benefits
Be able to complete a basic benefits check to ensure people are claiming their likely entitlements
Be able to get calculations done
Know how to check that a decision is correct and what to do if it is not.

This course will be delivered by The Benefits Training Company on the following dates:

Tuesday 20 June & Wednesday 21 June 2023

Further information on delivery format will be provided on sign up.

If the event is sold out, please email homelessness@wmca.org.uk to be added onto a waiting list.

Please note, that you will need to attend both sessions across the two days. Each session will run from 09:45 to 12:45 each day.

An Introduction to Welfare Benefits