This is a new course

It has been specifically devised about a topic that is continually brought up on the Benefits courses that LAF runs. One of the duties of housing support workers is to assist clients with claiming the correct amount of benefit. If workers understand the way in which the benefits are calculated and can access the appropriate guidance they can successfully challenge dubious assessments by benefit staff and thus be more effective for their clients.

About the course

"Am I getting the right amount of benefit?" is one of the most common concerns for residents, tenants, or people living with housing support.  In the past, housing staff have sometimes shied away from giving a straight answer.  But it is possible to work out benefits, quite simply - by learning the key principles, and practicing with short calculation sheets and examples.  There are even internet websites to help you check your sums!

This course aims, from first principles, to help you master benefits calculations.  After this course, you will know exactly how much people are entitled to.  ‘Deductions' and all.  We will consider key means-tested benefits - Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.  Subject to time, we may also consider Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit - calculated in a very different way.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the course, you will be able to provide answers to a wide range of questions, such as:

• Key thinking and views about means-testing and equity
• What counts as income or savings / capital for each benefit - and what is ignored
• The effect on benefits of having other adults or children living with you
• Details about ‘eligible rent' and restrictions on Housing Benefit for people who pay rent
• Calculating all entitlements
• Deductions that may be made from benefits
• Future plans for key groups, eg young people, people on the sick, or pensioners.