Available for In-House Bookings - Online or at your own training venue.
(Can be combined with our two-day HB and CTR Introduction / Refresher to create a three-day Workshop.)
Full-Day Workshop: (9:40 - 4:30)
An Introduction To Universal Credit For Benefits Advisors
For anyone seeking an overview of the UC scheme: HB staff handling managed migration, customer services advisers, corporate deputies, social landlords, etc.
The day begins by summarising the roll-out of UC and the gradual replacement of the “legacy” working age means-tested benefits, including the “managed migration” process that should see all legacy benefit claimants moved to UC by the end of 2025 – with transitional protection in many cases. We will also look at some examples of the events that might prompt the remaining legacy benefit claimants to switch to UC, such as changes of address, being found fit for work, change in couple status, etc.
Like the legacy benefits it replaces, UC has certain threshold eligibility conditions including age, immigration status and student status. The eligibility of students is a frequent source of debate which we will cover.
Next, we look at how UC is calculated, beginning with the “elements” that are added together to arrive at the maximum possible amount of UC before income and capital are taken into account. The qualifying conditions for each element will be summarised: Housing costs for social sector tenants, private tenants and long leaseholders; extra amounts for people who are unfit for work; elements for children (including the “two-child limit”) and childcare; and the element for carers.
We then look at how the maximum amount of UC is reduced if the claimant has any earnings or other income. Frequently asked questions about income include people who sometimes receive their monthly salary on a different date from the normal payday; people who are paid weekly or four-weekly, which does not work very smoothly with UC’s calendar monthly “assessment periods”; and the special rules for self-employed people whose profit is still very low after 12 months on UC and are deemed to have earnings equal to the “Minimum Income Figure” (MIF). The MIF is especially tricky to negotiate for claimants who have transitional protection following managed migration to UC – options for self-employed claimants as they approach the end of their first year on UC.
Another hazard to be aware of is the Benefit Cap. The phasing out of HB means that more claimants will be exposed to a harsher benefit cap than they experienced in the past (delegates will hear why this is the case) and so it is more important than ever to explore all the possible ways in which someone can be exempt from the cap through past or present work, disability, and caring responsibilities.
UC is primarily claimed and administered online. We will look at the process of making a claim, using the “journal” to communicate with DWP, and reporting changes of circumstance online. One person with whom the claimant might need to have face to face contact is the Work Coach who will oversee the claimant’s work seeking commitments: delegates will learn about the different levels of conditionality, ranging from none to full work availability, and the consequences for those who fail to comply.
Payment of UC: Usually UC is paid to the claimant into their nominated bank account, but DWP will sometimes pay some or all of the award to a landlord- especially social landlords who have their own “portal”. Deductions can be clawed back from UC for debts owed to both DWP (recovery of advances and overpayments) and third parties (rent arrears, court fines etc). We also look at the rules governing overpayments- when are they recoverable and from whom?
Appeals/disputes: We include a brief overview of the UC appeals process, including time limits and how to lodge a “mandatory reconsideration” with DWP to start the ball rolling.
Presented by Peter Barker, a hugely experienced trainer and appeals presenter. He combines a wealth of first-hand experience with expert knowledge of benefits legislation and has a real enthusiasm for the topic.
Contact us for In-House & 'Zoom/TEAMS' booking information on this topic.
Topics Covered:
Routes to Universal Credit
· Managed, voluntary and natural migration
· Transitional protection: key issues
o Erosion
o Loss of protection: couple status, drop in earnings
o Students
o Former Tax Credit claimants with > £16,000 capital
Basic Conditions of UC entitlement
· Maximum and minimum age
· Immigration and residence
· Students
Maximum Universal Credit
· The “elements” that make up the award
o Singles and couples, including cases where one partner is ineligible
o Children and the two-child limit
o LCWRA
o Carers
o Childcare
o Housing: private tenants, social tenants, long leaseholders
Income and Capital
· Earnings and other income
· FAQs including
o Changed salary payment date around a bank holiday
o Weekly/4-weekly wages and monthly UC
o Self-employed “Minimum Income Floor”
o Disregarded capital items
The Benefit Cap
Work Seeking Conditions
· The four levels, and who is subject to each of them
· Sanctions for failure to comply
Managing An Online Universal Credit Account
· How to claim
· Using the journal
· Reporting changes
Payments And Overpayments
· Payments to landlords
· Deductions
· Overpayments – from whom recoverable
Appeals And Disputes
We are always pleased to arrange most of our Workshops, such as this one, for staff from an individual organisation to be held at their own training venue or by Zoom/TEAMS. Please email us with your requirements for details.
Also available is a more comprehensive 3-Day Workshop on this topic (only available for in-house bookings).