Missing Out? An overview of the Benefits System (ONLINE)

*Please note, there is a 10% early bird discount available if you book at least 4 weeks before the course date. The discount will be shown automatically at the Eventbrite checkout. The cost indicated includes the Eventbrite booking fee.

Stop money from being left unclaimed - help people receive what is theirsAim:

To equip participants with the skills and knowledge to assist people in securing their full legal entitlement to correct benefits by identifying, from the range of benefits generally available, those to which individual clients may be entitled.

Overview:

Every year, billions of pounds in benefits go unclaimed. Sometimes it’s because people don’t know what’s available; other times, it’s because the system feels too complex to navigate. This course helps you cut through the confusion so you can spot potential entitlements and guide people towards making a claim.

We’ll explore the benefits landscape from a practical point of view, focusing on the situations you’re most likely to encounter in your work. You’ll leave with a better understanding of who can claim what, how benefits interact, and where to go for further information.

You will learn how to:

• Understand the structure of the social security and tax credit system
• Identify key conditions of entitlement to a range of benefits for people in different situations
• Explain the basics of means-testing
• Recognise how disability-related benefits can increase someone’s entitlement
• Use reliable resources to check eligibility
• Signpost clients for more specialist support when needed

Who should attend?Ideal for community volunteers, social prescribers, housing providers, advice workers, foodbank staff, and anyone who meets people on low incomes in the course of their work.

About your tutor:

Vincent Wilson - Vincent has worked for the Citizens Advice service in Devon since 1985. As an experienced trainer, he has provided benefits training for many years to voluntary and statutory sector staff, covering all aspects of the benefits system from introductory courses to Tribunal Representation. He has been a benefits caseworker for most of his working life, having taken cases to the Upper Tribunal level. He has been involved with national Health Education England in the design of an e-learning module on social welfare legal support and money guidance for social prescribers and has provided training locally on the financial support available to people worst affected by the rise in the cost of living. He is Chief Officer at Citizens Advice Teignbridge.