Managed Migration of legacy benefit tenants to Universal Credit!

Good morning

DWP started the last stage in its “managed” of forced migration of legacy benefit recipients, including those claiming housing benefit, in May, 22. Numbers, to date, have been in the low thousands, but that’s about to change, early in the year, when DWP staff start to focus on the remaining 2.6 million claimants, still to transfer. In your area this is likely to affect between 25-35% of claimants who are claiming Employment Support Allowance, Income Support, with disability premiums included in their award. Other groups include, those working part-time and maybe topping up their low incomes with Working Tax Credits. DWP anticipates around 50% of claimants will be better off, by transferring, but also expects around 1 million will be worse off.

This 2-hour course(10am – 12 noon) examines how this “managed” stage will operate, the importance of tenants claiming UC in advance of set deadlines, what happens if they don’t, and how the Transitional Protection scheme, could, if administered correctly, mitigate some of the losses that would otherwise be experienced. However, there is already concern been raised due to the fact, DWP is currently assessing awards on a manual basis and don’t have a good track record on that front. By the end of the session, delegates should fully understand the process, the implications of responding to notices, within the deadlines, the importance of mitigating losses by securing transitional protection, and overall implications for both tenants and housing providers.

Course content:

• What’s a migration notice; who will receive them; when is this likely to happen and how you can assist those tenants affected.
• What’s meant by the terms ‘migration day’, ‘first & final deadlines’ and what will happen if tenants fail to comply timeously.
• How to identify those tenants that will need your help and what you can to ensure seamless transference to UC.
• How to ensure the correct rate of transitional protection and associated 2 week run-ons of IS, ESA, JSA and Housing Benefit are applied.
• What steps can be taken to ensure vulnerable tenants are not overlooked and thus avoid benefit cancellations and lengthy gaps in entitlement.
• Understand, how Transitional Protection can erode over time or sometimes be lost by simple changes in circumstance e.g., couples separating or partners stopping work.

Who should attend?
We would recommend this course to frontline staff with an understanding of how important the benefits system, especially Universal Credit, is to tenants anxious to reduce or extinguish their rent liability and avoid rent arrears.

Zoom delivery

The trainer will issue delegates with invitations well in advance of the session. The session will start promptly at 10 am and will last for 2 hours max. He encourages participation throughout and will use a combination of PP slides, exercises, and group discussion to enhance delegate’s understanding of the topic. A copy of the slides will be provided after the session.

Tutor

The course will be delivered by Bill, who is an experienced trainer and someone who has specialised in Housing Benefit and Universal Credit, for many years, offering advice, training and advocacy, to landlords’ staff in both social and private sectors. His website www.ucadvice.co.uk and related updating bulletins are widely read, UK wide.

Costs

The course is £80 + VAT per delegate

Zoom in-house delivery

We’re aware from earlier advertised events, that some of the bigger organisations prefer to run dedicated sessions for their own staff or in conjunction with a neighbouring organisation e.g., council or Housing Association. We would happily offer this, as an alternative option. Any organisation interested, should contact bill@ucadvice.co.uk or 07733 080 389 for details of costs and availability.

Regards

Bill Irvine

UC Advice & Advocacy Ltd

www.ucadvice.co.uk