Any member of staff who wants a deeper knowledge of Housing Benefit overpayments and how to minimise their impact on rent accounts. This will include Housing Management staff who provide advice on benefits and/or deal with rent collection. Basic knowledge of the Housing Benefit system will be assumed.

AIMS:

This is one of those more complex areas where housing workers need to have a more detailed knowledge of the rules so as to minimise the hardship and rent arrears they can cause. This training will help learners spot when recovery can be challenged and will therefore help reduce or eliminate the amount of overpaid benefit being recovered. Throughout the training practical examples will be used and workable solutions will be given. 

OBJECTIVES:

• Gain a detailed understanding of the overpayment rules, when they can be recovered and who they can be recovered from
• Gain an understanding of which overpayments should not be recovered from the landlord, and how to successfully challenge recovery methods.
• Been given ideas on how to reduce the impact of overpayment recovery on rent accounts
• Investigated the areas where Housing Benefit Offices make errors that lead to unnecessary hardship and arrears

LEVEL:

Intermediate

HOW IS THE COURSE DELIVERED?

This course can be delivered online, or face to face. It is a practical course delivered using a combination of trainer presentation, exercises and cases studies, group discussion, and quizzes.

HOW MUCH?

We advise that this course be delivered over a minimum of 6 hours either as:

• Online - two 3 hour on-line Workshops, or
• Face-to-face - one full days training.

Click here for more information on pricing.

AFTER THE COURSE:

Learners will receive a copy of the PowerPoint slides, a certificate, and any additional resources such as relevant flowcharts and summary sheets. They will also be asked to complete an evaluation form.

IF BOOKING TO BE DELIVERED ONLINE:

We will be in touch to discuss and finalise the arrangements. Learners will need a good wifi connection and a suitable computer/laptop to access both the training session and a second internet-enabled device such as a tablet or smartphone for joining in any quizzes. In the week of the course, learners will receive an email with a link to the course, as well as a reminder just before the course is due to start.

IF BOOKING FACE TO FACE:

We will be in touch to discuss and finalise the arrangements. We will require a delegate list a week before delivery. It is assumed that you will source and provide a suitable venue taking account of any Covid restrictions in place at the time of delivery.