PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE IS A CHANGE OF DATE FROM THE ORIGINAL 

About the course

This course will concentrate in depth on some of the more difficult areas of Housing Benefit which cause frequent concern in Supported Housing and general rehousing work.  The course is designed for people who are reasonably experienced in dealing with Housing Benefit who wish to update and improve practice on particular concerns.

This course is not suitable for those who have never worked with Housing Benefit

Course Content

• Special attention for the new local housing allowance that goes national in April 2008. We look at the findings from the local pilots and the latest National Guidance.
• Update on recent changes to rights, obligations, claim and payment issues and income maximisation for different types of social housing and households in resettlement work, in negotiation with benefit authorities
• problems of Service Delivery including dealing with new claiming arrangements, delays, the Verification Framework, Performance Standards, Service Level Agreements and the ‘Benefits Simplification' programme
• How to avoid, minimize or challenge overpayments, including using the various 2006 changes in law and caselaw for revising decisions and appeals
• Update on benefit restrictions for above average rents including the detailed amendments planned from the Standard Local Housing Allowance pilots

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course participants will:

• list benefit entitlements, claims and payment issues, and obligations, when undergoing resettlement, including steps to help maximise income
• list key rules and tactics in approaching major problem areas in service delivery
• Explain ways to avoid, minimize or challenge overpayments, and address other Housing Benefit problems
• note key debates in Housing Benefit,and announcements on the future of Housing Benefit, with implications for housing projects