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Welfare Benefits Training Programme for Advice and Support Workers Sept 2012 – Mar 2013

Welfare Benefits Training Programme for Advice and Support Workers Sept 2012 – Mar 2013. Welfare Rights Unit. Specialist Support training. Training Calendar 2012. Introductory – General level training aimed at support, advocacy and social workers

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Welfare Benefits Training Programme for Advice and Support Workers Sept 2012 – Mar 2013

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  1. Welfare Benefits Training Programme for Advice and Support Workers Sept 2012 – Mar 2013 Welfare Rights Unit Specialist Support training

  2. Training Calendar 2012 Introductory – General level training aimed at support, advocacy and social workers Experienced adviser – Advanced level training for qualified and experienced advice workers All – These session are open to all and provide an introduction to new benefits

  3. Training Calendar 2013 Introductory – General level training aimed at support, advocacy and social workers Experienced adviser – Advanced level training for qualified and experienced advice workers All – These session are open to all and provide an introduction to new benefits

  4. Training for experienced advisers

  5. Housing benefit - the tricky bits Course outline • This course is suitable for advisers with experience of the benefits system. With reference to legislation and case law, the course will help advisers to develop and refine skills required to successfully challenge housing benefit decisions. Learning objectives • By the end of this course you will be able to: • identify when benefit will be paid on two homes and during temporary absence from home • identify the circumstances in which and arguments that can be used against decisions that a claimant is treated as not liable for rent • identify arguments for non-recovery of overpayments caused by official error • identify arguments for good cause when applying to backdate housing benefit claims • explain the main changes being made to HB rules between April 2011 and April 2013 Date Thursday 18 October To book Cost Free to Advice Leeds members complete online booking form Venue Fairfax House add 'Advice Leeds' to the Trainer Citizens Advice SSU discount code part of the form Experienced adviser – Advanced level training for qualified and experienced advice workers

  6. Introduction to tax credits and other HMRC benefits Course outline • This course identifies the benefits available to those responsible for children and to supplement earnings. It also looks at the benefits available from an employer during specified periods of absence. Suitable for those with little or no experience, the course includes practical exercises identifying entitlement and how to deal with claims. Learning objectives • By the end of the course you will be able to: • identify who may be entitled to child benefit and child tax credit • recognise who may be entitled to working tax credit • explain how to make a claim • assist clients with HMRC correspondence and keeping claims up to date Date Tuesday 20 November To book Cost Free to Advice Leeds members complete online booking form Venue Fairfax House add 'Advice Leeds' to the Trainer Citizens Advice SSU discount code part of the form Experienced adviser – Advanced level training for qualified and experienced advice workers

  7. Employment and support allowance - the tricky bits Course outline • This course is suitable for those with a working knowledge of ESA and the benefit system and covers conversion of 'incapacity' benefit to awards of ESA and issues related to appeals and repeat claims. Please note that the course does not look at 'work capability assessment' in any detail. Learning objectives • By the end of the course you will be able to: • explain the ESA conversion process • describe how claims are assessed • explain the impact of ESA on HB & CTB and other benefits • identify options after 'failing' the WCA and pending appeal Date Thursday 29 November To book Cost Free to Advice Leeds members complete online booking form Venue Fairfax House add 'Advice Leeds' to the Trainer Citizens Advice SSU discount code part of the form Experienced adviser – Advanced level training for qualified and experienced advice workers

  8. Challenging decisions Course outline • Don’t take ‘no’ for an answer! Decisions can be challenged. This course looks at various ways of disputing benefit decisions, enabling your clients to choose the most effective and appropriate options available. This course is suitable for those with a good working knowledge of the benefits system who wish to challenge decisions more effectively. Learning objectives • By the end of this course you will be able to: • recognise whether a decision has been made   • differentiate between revision, supersession and appeal • identify which decisions may be challenged • decide whether to use revision, supersession or appeal to challenge a decision Date Tuesday 6 December To book Cost Free to Advice Leeds members complete online booking form Venue Fairfax House add 'Advice Leeds' to the Trainer Citizens Advice SSU discount code part of the form Experienced adviser – Advanced level training for qualified and experienced advice workers

  9. Overpayments: understanding and challenging Course outline • Overpaid benefit is not always recoverable. Learn how to spot when an overpayment may not be recoverable and how to reduce or eliminate the amount of overpaid benefit. Overpayments of housing/council tax benefit or tax credits are covered, respectively, in our ‘Housing benefit – the tricky bits’ and ‘Dealing with tax credits overpayments and challenging HMRC decisions’ courses. Learning objectives • By the end of the course you will be able to: • identify when an overpayment decision can be challenged • define the terms ‘failure to disclose’, ‘misrepresentation’ and ‘material fact’ • learn how to challenge decisions by arguing that an overpayment has not been caused by a failure to disclose or misrepresentation of a material fact • describe the implications of fraud, offsetting and common law recovery and how to challenge the rate of recovery Date Thursday 10 January To book Cost Free to Advice Leeds members complete online booking form Venue Fairfax House add 'Advice Leeds' to the Trainer Citizens Advice SSU discount code part of the form Experienced adviser – Advanced level training for qualified and experienced advice workers

  10. Delays, complaints and administrative issues Course outline • Are benefit administration issues taking up valuable time? Do you want to learn how to become more effective at dealing with them? This course explores ways of addressing delay and administrative issues in DWP and local authority systems to get the best result for your clients. It also considers how to use complaints procedures, the Ombudsman service and legal arguments and how to select the best method for your client. Learning objectives • By the end of this course you will be able to: • identify causes of delay and maladministration in benefit claim systems and the problems this results in for claimants and advisers and options available to assist clients • identify ways to solve problems using legal arguments • explain how to access and use complaints and compensation schemes, the Independent Case Examiner and Ombudsman • recognise the value of liaison and social policy work with local DWP and local authority offices Date Thursday 21 February To book Cost Free to Advice Leeds members complete online booking form Venue Fairfax House add 'Advice Leeds' to the Trainer Citizens Advice SSU discount code part of the form Experienced adviser – Advanced level training for qualified and experienced advice workers

  11. Tax credits and other HMRC benefits - common problems Course outline • For advisers with a working knowledge of tax credits and the benefits system, including those who have attended our 'Introduction to tax credits and other HMRC benefits' course. The course covers the more problematic rules of entitlement, and how to identify entitlement following a change and during absence from work. Learning objectives • By the end of the course you will be able to: • explain how a change of circumstances affects entitlement to tax credits • identify potential problems for disabled workers and those whose hours of work fluctuate • recognise key issues for those whose relationship changes or who share responsibility for a child • describe how tax credits and statutory payments interact with other benefits Date Thursday 28 February To book Cost Free to Advice Leeds members complete online booking form Venue Fairfax House add 'Advice Leeds' to the Trainer Citizens Advice SSU discount code part of the form Experienced adviser – Advanced level training for qualified and experienced advice workers

  12. Dealing with tax credits overpayments and challenging HMRC decisions Course outline • This course is suitable for advisers with experience of tax credits and the benefits system, including those who have attended our 'Tax credits and other HMRC benefits - common problems' course. This course looks at the causes of tax credits overpayments, end of year assessments and HMRC guidance on recovery, using practical examples. Learning objectives • By the end of the course you will be able to: • identify the cause of a tax credit overpayment • explain the law and HMRC policy on recovery of tax credit overpayments • recognise when a penalty may be applied • describe when and how to challenge HMRC benefit decisions Date Tuesday 12 March To book Cost Free to Advice Leeds members complete online booking form Venue Fairfax House add 'Advice Leeds' to the Trainer Citizens Advice SSU discount code part of the form Experienced adviser – Advanced level training for qualified and experienced advice workers

  13. Training for support, advocacy and social workers

  14. Employment & Support Allowance Course outline • Gives informative and practical information to enable you to understand the benefit available for people who are too ill for work. To help you understand what is meant by ‘limited capability for work’. • NB this course does not include information about Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance. Learning objectives • The course will help you to identify • who is entitled to Employment and Support Allowance • what is meant by limited capability for work • the difference between contribution based and income related ESA • the Limited Capability for Work Related Activity assessment and what this is used for Date Tuesday 4 September Time 1.30 – 16.00 Friday 19 October 9.30 – 13.00 Cost Free to Advice Leeds members To book Venue Compton Centre email welfare.rights@leeds.gov.ukTrainer Welfare Rights Unit Introductory – General level training aimed at support, advocacy and social workers

  15. Introduction to Welfare Benefits Course outline • This course is designed to give participants an overview of the structure of the benefit and tax creidt system Learning objectives • Know the board structure of the benefits system • Be able to identify possible benefits for a clients • Be able to recognise when a benefits check is needed • Know which groups of people who are treated differently for benefits and where special rules apply • Know the differences between Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance recognise the different qualifying conditions for DLA and AA Date Monday 17 September Time 1.30 – 16.00 Tuesday 6 November 9.30 – 13.00 Cost Free to Advice Leeds members To book Venue Compton Centre email welfare.rights@leeds.gov.uk Trainer Welfare Rights Unit Introductory – General level training aimed at support, advocacy and social workers

  16. Benefits for Older People Course outline • Gives an overview of Pension Credit (including how to do calculations) and Attendance Allowance, the main benefit available to older people with disabilities. Getting either or both of these benefits can significantly enhance the income and financial well-being of older people. • Provides information and practical advice about benefits to enable participants to maximize benefit entitlements available to older people Learning objectives • What welfare benefits are available for State Retirement Age • Who may be entitled to Retirement Pension • The main features of Pension Credit • Who may qualify for Pension Credit • How to make a claim for Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit • The qualifying criteria for attendance allowance • Hints and tips about completing an Attendance Allowance claim form Date Thursday 4 October Time 9.30 – 13.00 Tuesday 27 October 1.30 – 16.00 Cost Free to Advice Leeds members To book Venue Compton Centre email welfare.rights@leeds.gov.uk Trainer Welfare Rights Unit Introductory – General level training aimed at support, advocacy and social workers

  17. Training for everyone - these sessions are open to support, advocacy and social workers and advisers.They provide an introduction to new benefitsIn addition to the dates on the programme these sessions can be delivered in-house to meet your needsMore information

  18. Welfare Reform Briefing Course outline • The Welfare Reform Act received royal ascent 8th March 2012 and introduced far reaching changes to welfare benefits, including Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit, the Social Fund and Disability Living Allowance. The proposals will place a cap on benefits and introduce Universal Credit. Find out what is changing and when. • The changes start to take effect from May 2012 with a programme of implementation • The session will also cover benefits cuts form April 2011 that were introduced before the Welfare Reform Act. Learning objectives • To know the key dates in the implementation of welfare reform changes • To understand what impact these changes will have on clients • To identify ways you can best support your client  Date Thursday 25 October Time 9.30 -12.30 Venue Unit P Westminster Buildings To book complete booking form Cost Free for Advice Leeds Full Members - Limited free places for Social Workers booked through WRU Others £45 per person - Bursary available for voluntary orgs, contact Advice Leeds for details Trainer Advice Leeds All – These session are open to all and provide an introduction to new benefits

  19. Universal Credit Briefing Course outline • Major changes to the current benefits and tax credits system are being introduced through the Welfare Reform Act, including the introduction of Universal Credit which will bring together most income related benefits. The new benefit is due to be introduced in October 2013. • This session will examine how the new benefit will work and the likely effect on claimants. Learning objectives • Understand the aims of universal credit and how it will be introduced • Understand which benefits it will replace and which will remain • Know who will be able to claim it • Know how it will be calculated • Understand the rules for conditionality and sanctions • Know where to signpost or refer clients to, for further advice/information Date Thursday 25 October Time 13.30 – 16.00 Wednesday 5 December 9.30 – 13.00 Venue Unit P Westminster Buildings To book complete booking form Cost Free for Advice Leeds Full Members - Limited free places for Social Workers booked through WRU Others £45 per person - Bursary available for voluntary orgs, contact Advice Leedsfor details Trainer Advice Leeds All – These session are open to all and provide an introduction to new benefits

  20. Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Course outline • In 2013 it is planned that personal independence payment (PIP) will be introduced to replace disability living allowance for people aged 16 to 64. This course gives information about the similarities and differences, including an update on the latest draft of the regulations to be used to assess entitlement Learning objectives • Know who will be affected by the introduction of PIP • Understand the main entitlement conditions • Understand the structure of PIP • Understand the assessment criteria and process • Know how existing DLA claimants will be migration of onto PIP Date Wednesday 21 November Time 9.30 -16.00 Tuesday 15 January 9.30 – 16.00 Venue Unit P Westminster Buildings To book complete booking form Cost Free for Advice Leeds Full Members - Limited free places for Social Workers booked through WRU Others £80 per person - Bursary available for voluntary orgs, contact Advice Leeds for details Trainer Advice Leeds All – These session are open to all and provide an introduction to new benefits

  21. Social Fund & Local Welfare Assistance Course outline • Community Care Grants and Crisis Loans are being abolished in April 2013 and local Councils have been given powers to establish localised schemes instead. Leeds City Council intends to use the funds devolved by the DWP to create a local scheme. Learning objectives • Have an overview of the new Local Welfare Assistance scheme • What elements of the Social Fund will continue to be administered by the DWP Date Wednesday 6 February Time 9.30 - 13.00 Tuesday 19 March 13.00 – 16.30 Venue Unit P Westminster Buildings To book complete booking form Cost Free for Advice Leeds Full Members - Limited free places for Social Workers booked through WRU Others £45 per person - Bursary available for voluntary orgs, contact Advice Leeds for details Trainer Advice Leeds All – These session are open to all and provide an introduction to new benefits

  22. Council Tax Support Course outline • From April 2013, Council Tax Benefit (CTB) will be abolished and replaced by a local means-tested council tax support scheme. Leeds City Council is developing local scheme for Council Tax support. Learning objectives • Have an overview of the Council Tax Support scheme for Leeds • Know who will be affected by the new support scheme • Know how the level of support will be calculated • Know what discretionary help may be available Date Tuesday 22 January Time TBC Thursday 7 March TBC Venue Unit P Westminster Buildings To book complete booking form Cost Free for Advice Leeds Full Members - Limited free places for Social Workers booked through WRU Others £45/80 per person - Bursary available for voluntary orgs, contact Advice Leeds for details Trainer Advice Leeds All – These session are open to all and provide an introduction to new benefits

  23. In-house training Advice Leeds can deliver the following training In-house to meet the needs of your team. Advice First Aid Benefits first aid Debt First Aid Benefits for Young People Claiming Disability Living Allowance Council Tax Support Homelessness First Aid Personal Independence Payment Social Fund & Local Welfare Assistance Welfare Reform The Work Capability Assessment We can provide in house training to groups – minimum 5: maximum 16 We can tailor sessions to meet your staff team requirements We can deliver at your venue or in our city centre training room Cost per half day training session - Voluntary agencies £175 - Statutory agencies £295 A bursary scheme is available for small voluntary organisations, please contact Advice Leeds for more information. To discuss your needs and book your training contact Jenny Shaw Phone - 0113 2021 832 Email - jenny.shaw@leedscab.org.uk More information

  24. Contact us • 0113 202 1830 • adviceleeds@leedscab.org.uk • www.adviceleeds.org.uk

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