An Introduction To UNIVERSAL CREDIT FOR BENEFITS ADVISORS

Available for In-House Bookings - Online or at your own training venue.

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 is gathering pace during the 2024/25 year. In this part of the Workshop we look at which benefits UC is replacing, and which ones will continue alongside UC (including HB for supported and temporary accommodation). We will also look at some examples of the events that might prompt an existing legacy benefit claimant to switch to UC, such as changes of address, being found fit for work, change in couple status, birth of a child, 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 and childcare; and the element for carers. We will highlight the key differences and similarities between UC and the benefits that it replaces. While looking at the housing element we will bust a persistent myth about 53-week rent years, and why nobody on UC needs to worry about them!

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.

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.

We will finish the day by returning to look at the managed migration of the remaining legacy benefit claimants to UC over the coming years, including the transitional protection available to those who would otherwise receive less money on UC than they currently get from legacy benefits. This final part of the day includes the deadline within which UC must be claimed, how claimants are notified that they have been selected for managed migration, the order in which different groups will undergo managed migration, and special rules for Tax Credit claimants with capital over £16,000 and full-time students who are eligible for legacy benefits but not UC, plus the arrangements for pensioners and mixed age couples with children following the final abolition of Tax Credits from the end of the current tax year.

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:

Introduction

· What is UC

· Legacy benefits replaced by UC

· Events that “trigger” migration to UC

Basic Conditions

· Maximum and minimum age

· Immigration and residence

· Students

Maximum Universal Credit

· The “elements” that make up the award

· Differences and similarities compared with legacy benefits

Income

· Earnings 

· Other income

· FAQs including

   o Changed salary payment date around a bank holiday

   o Weekly/4-weekly wages and monthly UC

   o Self-employed claimants after 12 months

Managing An Online Universal Credit Account

· How to claim

· Using the journal

· Reporting changes

Work Seeking Conditions

· The four levels, and who is subject to each of them

· Sanctions for failure to comply

Payments And Overpayments

· Payments to landlords

· Deductions

· Overpayments – from whom recoverable

Appeals And Disputes

· “Mandatory reconsideration”

Managed Migration

· Who, how and when

   o Transitional protection

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).