Overview to benefits and interventions

This course has been designed for those who are new to benefits and also of value to other local authority/RSL staff as an aid to multi-disciplinary understanding. Suitable for: new starters to benefits, housing officers, RSL verification officers, clerical officers, visiting officers, customer service officers.

Duration: 2 days

This course is designed to provide delegates who have little or no knowledge of benefits with an understanding of the principles and practices of benefits in general and to deal competently with the requirements to verify claims and evidence. As verification by third parties through contractual or partnership arrangements with the local authority will be permitted, this course will be of particular use to staff that are involved within this verification process.

Learning outcome

In relation to benefits, the ultimate aim is to give staff an understanding of what Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit actually are, who can and cannot claim and the day-to-day administration of these applications within the LA. In addition, each delegate will have a full understanding of the rules surrounding the verification of claims and will be able to carry out the administration and verification of HB/CTB applications and supporting information.

 

Day one

Overview of welfare benefits and tax credits

  • Means-tested/non-means-tested benefits
  • Income support/JSA(IB)
  • Basic rules to other state benefits

Overview of housing benefit and council tax benefit

  • What does HB pay for?
  • What does CTB pay for?
  • Making a claim for benefit
  • Date of claim and backdating

Calculating HB/CTB

  • Income and capital
  • Household composition and applicable amounts
  • Non-dependant deductions
  • The calculation

 

Day two

Changes in circumstance

  • End of income support
  • Change of address
  • Other changes to affect entitlement
  • Overpayments of benefit

Evidence and supporting information

  • Interventions
  • Identity and NI No.
  • Evidence of income, rent and changes
  • How evidence is requested
  • Exercise

Fraud

  • Types of fraud and some indicators to look out for