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An Introduction To HB, CTR & Other Means Tested Benefits
A two-day Workshop for anyone requiring an introduction or refresher covering local authority-administered benefits (HB and CTR). Suitable for customer service advisers, HB assessors in need or a refresher, or other staff interested in learning more about what goes on “under the hood”.
It is only possible to very briefly cover Universal Credit on this 2-Day Workshop - we have a Full-Day Workshop just on this topic alone. See separate web page for full details and dates.
Available for In-House Bookings - Online or at your own training venue.
2 x Full-Day Workshop: (9:40 - 4:30)
This Workshop (or more in-depth 3 or 4-day version) can be arranged ‘in-house’ for staff from an individual local authority, housing association or other organisation. Available for In-House Bookings either On-Site or Online. Please contact us for further information.
AN INTRODUCTION TO HOUSING BENEFIT, CTR & OTHER MEANS TESTED BENEFITS
(TWO-DAY WORKSHOP)
Day One will begin with a brief introduction to the UK Social Security system, showing where HB and CTR fit in. This introduction will include an overview of the fringe and discretionary entitlements administered by the Council, such as DHPs and the Household Support Fund. We will also look at the different benefits available to pensioners and working age people, including “mixed age couples” where only one partner has reached pension age.
Beginning in the second morning session of Day One, we look in more detail at HB and CTR, starting with the housing costs that are eligible to be met: rent, licence payments, service charges and unconventional homes such as boats and caravans. We also consider the rules on occupying a dwelling, including the circumstances in which someone can get benefit on two homes or receive benefit while absent from their normal home.
Day One closes with “maximum HB” – the eligible rent for private and social sector tenants, minus non-dependant deductions where appropriate.
Day Two starts with the HB means test calculation- the applicable amount, income and capital. This is followed by a look at the local Council Tax Reduction Scheme, highlighting similarities and differences between CTR and HB. For in-house delivery, this part of the course will feature details of the Council’s working age CTR scheme.
The final part of the Workshop deals with the administrative processes around HB and CTR - claims, liaison with DWP, changes of circumstance, backdating, payment (including direct payment of HB to landlords), overpayments and some basic advice for giving to people who may wish to make an appeal.
We also offer a one-day stand-alone "Introduction to Universal Credit" Workshop.
Note: The programme is indicative and is subject to change to reflect any recent rule reflect changes and the needs of specific groups or organisations. Further one-day Training Workshops are also available which can cover specific or more complex issues in more depth – e.g. Claims From The Self-employed, Submitting Appeals, Commerciality & Contrivance, Overpayments, Claims From Persons Arriving From Overseas, etc.
Presented by Peter Barker. A hugely experienced trainer, appeals presenter, and submission writer.
Topics Covered:
Programme: Day One
Introductions and course overview
Where HB and CTR fit into the social security system
· Contribution-based, means tested and others
· Fringe / passport benefits (e.g. Cost Living, Household Support Fund)
· Working age, pensioners and mixed age couples
Housing Benefit in depth
· Eligible payments
· Occupation of the dwelling
· Maximum HB for social and private tenants
Programme: Day Two
Means-testing
· The “family” – claimant, partner, children
· Applicable amount
· Income and capital
· Working age v pensioner differences
The local Council Tax Reduction Scheme
New Claims (Pensioners, specified and TA, CTR)
· How and where to claim
· Supporting evidence
Administration of a “live” claim
· Changes of circumstance, payments
Overpayments
· Recoverable and non-recoverable overpayments
· From whom and overpayment is recoverable
· Recovery methods
Appeals
· Overview of the HB and CTR appeal procedures
___________________________________
Universal Credit Programme
It is not possible to also cover Universal Credit on this 2-Day Workshop - we have a Full-Day Workshop just on this topic alone, which is outlined below and can be run inhouse for a group of up to 16 staff members. See our web site page for full details.
Universal Credit
Eligibility and entitlement
· Groups who can claim UC
· How the award is calculated:
· Elements forming maximum UC amount
· Income, including earnings from employment and self-employment
Conditionality and Sanctions
Maintaining an online claim (and alternatives for those unable to do so)
Migration to UC:
· Voluntary, natural and managed migration
· Including the managed migration timetable
· Transitional protection
· For former Severe Disability premium claimants
· After managed migration
Contact us for In-House & 'Zoom/TEAMS' booking information on a range of programmes for this Topic.
We are always pleased to arrange most of our Workshops, such as this one, for staff from an individual organisation to be held at their own training venue or by Zoom/TEAMS. Please email us with your requirements for details.
Also available is a more comprehensive 3-Day Workshop on this topic (only available for in-house bookings).
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