About the course

This course aims to help tenants and people in housing need to get the best deal out of the benefits system. It will explore benefit entitlements in common situations, highlighting ways to increase claims or defend current income, in an era of welfare-to-work.

"Focus Courses aim to provide an in-depth study of a topic and are therefore not suitable for those who are new to the service, or have no background knowledge of the topic. The course assumes prior knowledge of the benefits system"

Course Content

• Benefit rules when unemployed, on government schemes, working, studying, sick or disabled
• Special attention to claiming problems and dealing with 'sanctions' and hardship
• Special attention to disability and incapacity assessments, premiums and appeals
• The latest on all the changing welfare programmes, including the New Deal and the 'ONE' programme
• Evaluation

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course participants will:

• List key ways for tenants and others in housing need to get the best out of the benefits system
• Understand the procedures for claims and the ways provisions and responsibilities are changing
• Identity key benefit issues quickly with tenants and people in housing need