Support Workers

Choose from one of our Courses below - just click to see the outline.

We tailor every course we deliver - so the outlines shown are just samples and a starting point for designing the course you need.

Great resource

"What a great resource to ensure front line staff have the knowledge they need today to help customers.”

Introductory

Introduction to Welfare Benefits

This is a great introduction to the welfare benefits system.

It looks at the different types of benefits that make up the system and the way they fit together as well as how the system is being affected by the introduction of Universal Credit.

It will enable learners to be able to complete basic income maximisation checks to ensure their customers are claiming their full entitlements and don't miss out.

More information - click here

Employment and Support Allowance Overview

This training gives an overview of Employment and Support Allowance.

It examines: the differences between Income Related and New Style ESA, the assessment process and how changes in circumstances can affect a claim.

It looks at the key rules for entitlement to ensure claimants aren't missing out.

A perfect course for anyone supporting claimants who is new to the benefits system or for any advisers who would like a refresher.

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Personal Independence Payment Overview

This training gives an overview of Personal Independence Payment

Starting with looking at eligibility criteria and the claiming process, this training will go on to consider the assessment criteria for the both Daily Living and the Mobility components.

This training will give the learners an understanding of the basis for the DWP decisions, therefore enabling them to spot who could make a successful claim.

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DLA for Children

This training looks at the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) rules that apply to children.

Learners will be taken through the eligibility rules and key terminology before moving on to consider how best to complete the form.

This course will enable learners to help to get the best outcome to ensure parents receive this key financial resource where entitled.

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Introduction to Housing Benefit

This course gives an overview of how Housing Benefit works, who can claim, how it's worked out and investigates some key problem areas.

Perfect for anyone working with tenants who wish to gain a better understanding of Housing Benefit so that they can provide accurate and up to date advice and know when to signpost a customer for more advice.

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Intermediate

Calculating Housing Benefit

This training takes the learner through the process of how a Housing Benefit award is calculated. Learners will look at the '5 steps', using case studies and practising calculations.

They will learn about eligible rent, the bedroom tax, non-dependent deductions and the different allowance and premiums available. The course also examines the impact different kinds of income have on a calculation.

An essential course for anyone working with HB claimants who want to be able to spot error in the calculation and challenge them successfully.

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Calculating Universal Credit

This training takes an in depth look at how the UC calculation works.

It takes learners through the various Elements that make up a claimant's 'maximum UC' award and examines how income affects an award.

It highlights the areas where claimants may be missing out and provides hints and tips on maximising an award.

Case studies are used throughout to reinforce learning and explain the impact of rules such as the two child limit and the Benefit Cap.

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Maximising UC Award

This training will investigate the key area where UC claimants miss out:

Moving from legacy benefits - the 2 week run-ons and the Transitional SDP Element.
The LCW/LCWRA elements - who's entitled and making sure the DWP apply the rules correctly.
Workers - working carers, disabled workers, the work allowance and how earnings are treated.
Housing Costs - common mistakes

With hints and tips on how best to challenge UC decisions.

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UC and Limited Capability for Work

This workshop will investigate how the limited capability for work rules can affect UC claimants.

It will highlight key problem areas and lesser known facts.

It takes the learner through the process and enables them to spot the issues will equip them with all the required knowledge to support people on this journey and ensure that the rules are followed, so the claimant gets what they are entitled to.

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UC Conditionality and Sanctions

This information packed training will quickly review the reasons why a claimant may get sanctioned, before looking at the impact of sanctions.

It will examine the DWP’s duty to make allowances for vulnerable claimants, as well as how long should a sanction should last, and how much a claimant could lose.

It will highlight why it is important to ensure a claimant commitment is realistic and explains how to help a claimant do this.

It investigates what options claimants have if they have been sanctioned, including applying for a Hardship Payment and challenging a sanction decision

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UC For Those With Complex Needs

This training examines how UC can work for those with complex needs .

It looks at: telephone claims, pinned notes, how much UC, conditionality and minimising problems, together with hints and tips for ensuring the DWP recognises 'complex needs' status.

An essential course for anyone Supporting vulnerable UC claimants to ensure the UC system works with them rather than causing them problems.

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Extra Help for Universal Credit Claimants

This course will give learners the tools and information they need to ensure the UC claimants they work with are accessing the additional 'extras' they are entitled to.
Topics covered include:
Change in Circumstances and Budgeting Advances
Free school meals
Help with health costs, funeral payments and maternity payments
Discretionary Housing Payments
Council Tax Support, discounts and the exceptional hardship funds
An essential course with the cost of living on the rise.

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UC Problem Areas and How to Resolve Them

This training will be mainly case study based – concentrating on the latest areas where things are going wrong – giving the knowledge and tools to put them right!

A basic understanding of UC is assumed i.e. Who has to claim, Monthly Assessment Periods, How UC is assessed…

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Completing the WCA Questionnaire

This practical training focuses on completing the Work Capability Questionnaire for ESA or UC.

This course will take learners through best practice on ESA50/UC50 form completion and how to describe a claimant's difficulties and needs to enable the most appropriate award for the claimant.

It includes lots of tips and advice on how to get the best outcome for customers. Ideal course for those who assist claimants with completing the medical questionnaire.

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Personal Independence Payment - Getting the Right Result

This practical training course will provide hints and tips for getting the right PIP decision.

It will give ideas for completing the form as well as challenging a PIP decision.

Learners will investigate key issues such as:
The various terminology/terms
How to use: safely, acceptable standard, repeatedly and within a reasonable time period.
How best to deal with fluctuating conditions

The training will also provide ideas for appeals including using case law.

More information - click here

Advanced

UC: Making the most of the Transitional SDP Element

This training looks at how the Transitional SDP Element works. It considers how much someone should be entitled to, when this could be reduced, and explains why the loss of PIP doesn't mean the loss of this Element.

It will give participants the information they need to give accurate advice to claimants affected by this change to ensure they receive this Element at the correct amount, if entitled.

It also highlights that some claimants can take advantage of the rules by delaying a claim for UC or by claiming earlier.

An essential course for anyone working with or supporting UC claimants.

More information - click here

Universal Credit & Supported Housing

This training looks at the rules for UC claimants living in supported accommodation and what it means for them.

As well as reviewing the definition of 'specified accommodation', this course examines the lesser known rules that will apply to these UC claimants: how much HB (in brief), the higher work allowance, special rules for DHPs, rules around moving in and moving on.

And there will be an opportunity to discuss problem areas and to discuss good practice and ideas.

More information - click here

Universal Credit: For Better or for Worse

From 2022 the DWP has been encouraging 'legacy benefit' claimants to switch to UC.

This training examines which legacy benefit claimants are better off delaying the move to UC and which should consider switching earlier.

It highlights the factors to consider beyond a simple better off analysis.

An essential course for anyone supporting working age claimants.

More information - click here

ESA Problems and Solutions

Employment and Support remains a key benefit for those claimants not yet on Universal Credit. This training examines the key ESA related problem areas and how to help resolve them.

It Investigates the options available for ESA claimants who are found fit for work, and those who have failed to complete their ESA50 or attend their medical. It considers whether these claimants can avoid UC

More information - click here

Welfare Benefit Update

This training reviews and examines the key Welfare Benefit changes from 2021/2022 and beyond.

Learners will come away from this course completely up to date, being aware of what the current and future 'hot topics' are, and having investigated what the implications are for claimants and housing providers.

More information - click here

Contact

01756 796394
Subscriber email queries: advice@ucnotes.co.uk
General enquiries: info@ucnotes.co.uk
Training enquiries: training@ucnotes.co.uk
Housing Systems, Archway Court, Broughton Hall, Broughton, Skipton BD23 3AE

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