Introduction to Universal Credit - New and inexperienced staff!

Good Morning

This is a new course; targeted at new and inexperienced staff, so wouldn’t suit experienced staff unless they’ve recently changed posts or are seeking an update. The target audience is housing officers, their assistants, welfare rights or benefits advisors or money advice

Prior knowledge of the topic is unnecessary as this will be explained through discussion, case examples, and related guidance material.

Programme – starts 10 am prompt

• What is universal credit; what does it replace; the migration process?
• Who can claim; the online application and validation process; failure to comply with demands for evidence e.g. ID, rental charge; earnings, etc.
• Claimant commitment process, exceptions, sanctions.
• Awards; effective date; Benefits Assessment Period, Changes in circumstances; how this should be reported.
• Advance payments and Budgetary advances and their recovery.
• Examples of how to calculate the standard allowances, additional elements, maximising the housing costs in both social and private landlord sectors, with different methods applying e.g. under 35 exemptions for 1-bed rate; application of the Benefits Cap; who and how to secure exemption from this.situations
• Payment of award; direct payments; Tier 1 requirements; online requests for redirection of payments, where rent arrears occur; third-party deductions and associated hierarchy of debts rules.
• Non-dependent deductions: who is exempt; how they vary with Housing Benefit deductions.
• Temporary absence rules to tenants moving to residential care, hospital, prison, holidays abroad.
•  Problem-solving with DWP contacts; complaints process, role of Independent Tribunal Service.

Ends around 3pm

The presenter will encourage participation from the delegate throughout the session.

Training materials will be forwarded to delegates after the event.