Avoiding the pitfalls: supporting ESA claimants transitioning to UC

A session delivered by Clean Slate Training and Employment for the Money Guiders Wales Network.

Aimed at all non- welfare specialist frontline staff, this webinar will helps equip frontline workers with all they need to help their clients/tenants to be prepared for the move to Universal Credit.

This is at a time when ESA claimants (primarily those with mental health challenges), are receiving notification letters informing them that they need to move to Universal Credit. If they do not take action their benefits will stop.

Using their experience on the ground supporting clients, plus delivering UC training to frontline staff and publishing the Quids in! Guide to UC for claimants, Clean Slate is well placed to dive into the technical aspects of UC so that attendees will gain a better understanding of how the system operates, as well as offering practical steps in helping claimants navigate UC and supporting them through the process.

About this session
Part one will give attendees an overview of how the system operates. Clean Slate will uncover the common pitfalls and challenges that claimants encounter, arming attendees with the knowledge to anticipate and address their client's needs proactively. They will present on the findings from their Quids in! Cost of Living Survey, to build a picture of how exposed people are who cannot work. Data shows that 24% of ESA claimants are not responding to their notification letters.

Part two will help attendees to develop practical strategies for supporting claimants on the ground- empowering individuals to manage their limited budgets, navigate rent payments, and reduce reliance on debt and crisis services. Ultimately nurturing greater resilience and financial stability for vulnerable people.

Money Guidance Competency Framework match

(1) Knowing Your Customer

(4) Welfare and Benefits

Accessibility

This session will be delivered in English, with resources available in English and Welsh language. If you have any accessibility requirements, please email money.guiders.wales@maps.org.uk ahead of the session and we will assist you.

Keep Up To Date With The Money Guiders Wales Network:

• Contact: money.guiders.wales@maps.org.uk
• Register with the Wales Network
• LinkedIn Page
• Community Hub [Wales Group]

The Money Guiders Programme

Money Guiders is a programme run by MaPS, which seeks to help money guidance practitioners improve their knowledge, skills and confidence. Everything that the Money Guiders programme offers centres around the Money Guidance Competency Framework - it's there to help you better understand the full breadth and depth of money related issues that fall outside of the regulated financial advice service sector - the things you talk to your customers about.

Before attending the session, you could spend some time considering the challenges you face in your work, specifically when you provide help and guidance to your clients or service users around money issues.

• How do you spot potential problems?
• How can you start conversations about money in a sensitive way and at the appropriate time?
• How do you maintain good boundaries in your role as a money guidance practitioner within your main area of work?