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Universal Credit - New and inexperienced staff!

Good Morning

This course will be delivered in Edinburgh on 25th February 2025. It targets new and inexperienced staff and those who have recently changed posts or are simply seeking an update. The target audience is housing & finance managers, officers, their assistants, welfare rights, financial inclusion, and money advice staff.

The aim is to provide delegates with a thorough grounding on the key parts of the system and processes so they can assist tenants make and validate their claims from the outset. Currently, 20% of new claims fail, due to claimants failing to fully engage or follow through with the validation or “claimant commitment” processes.  Where, in some cases, the failure is down to the premature actions of DWP, we will explain how this malpractice can be challenged.

Prior knowledge of the topic is unnecessary as each element in the process will be explained through discussion, case examples, and related guidance material. The presenter will encourage participation from delegates throughout the session

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 an exemption.
  • 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 for tenants moving to residential care, hospital, prison, and holidays abroad.
  •  Problem-solving with DWP contacts; complaints process, role of Independent Tribunal Service.

Ends around 3 pm.

The training materials used during the session will be forwarded to delegates after the event.

If you require any further information on the course content or would like to discuss running the course in-house or share with neighbouring organisations, please get in touch with linzi@ucadvice.co.uk or phone Bill on 07733 080 389.

Regards

 

Bill Irvine

UC Advice & Advocacy Ltd

Tel: 07733 080 389 or 01698 424301