An Introduction To HB, CTR & Other Means-Tested Benefits
For anyone involved in advising the public on benefits claims requiring an introduction or refresher covering local authority-administered means-tested benefits. Suitable for customer service advisers, HB assessors in need or a refresher, or other staff interested in learning about what goes on “under the hood”.
NEXT WORKSHOP:
Tuesday & Wednesday,
30th September & 1st October, 2025.
2 x Full-Day Workshop: (9:40 - 4:30)
Workshop Fee: £535. (No VAT)
Book 3 places and receive a 4th place FREE.
This Workshop (or more in-depth 3 or 4-day version) can also be arranged ‘in-house’ for staff from an individual local authority, housing association or other organisation. It is only possible to very briefly cover Universal Credit on this 2-Day Workshop - we have a Full-Day Workshop just on this topic alone. See our web site for full details. Available for In-House Bookings either On-Site or Online. Please contact us for further information.
AN INTRODUCTION TO HOUSING BENEFIT & CTR (2 DAY WORKSHOP)
An Introduction To Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction & Other Means Tested Benefits
Day One will begin with a brief introduction to the UK Social Security system, showing where HB and CTR fit in. This introduction will include an overview of the fringe and discretionary entitlements administered by the Council, such as DHPs and the Household Support Fund. We will also look at the different benefits available to pensioners and working age people, including “mixed age couples” where only one partner has reached pension age. This part of the day includes a brief look at the “managed migration” programme that sees remaining working age “legacy benefit” claimants transferred to Universal Credit. (We also have a Full Day UC Programme.)
Beginning in the second half of Day One, we look in more detail at HB and CTR, starting with the housing costs that are eligible to be met: rent, licence payments, service charges and unconventional homes such as boats and caravans. We also consider the rules on occupying a dwelling, including the circumstances in which someone can get benefit on two homes or receive benefit while absent from their normal home.
Day Two starts with “maximum HB” – the eligible rent for private and social sector tenants, minus non-dependant deductions where appropriate.
There follows a brief summary of the HB means test calculation - the applicable amount, incomeand capital. The roll-out of Universal Credit, especially following the abolition of Tax Credits from April 2025, means that it is now relatively unusual to find a working-age HB case where the Council is required to carry out a full means-test calculation - most working-age HB claimants in temporary and supported housing receive UC for their living costs, and there are the remaining ESA(ir) claimants who have yet to migrate to UC. But many pensioners have income that the Council needs to account for, so we will summarise the way the means test works mainly for pensioners.
Day Two continues with the Council Tax Reduction Scheme, highlighting similarities and differences between CTR and HB. (For in-house courses, this part of the course will feature details of the local area working age CTR scheme.)
Finally, we will look at the administrative processes around HB and CTR - claims, liaison with DWP, changes of circumstance, backdating, payment (including direct payment of HB to landlords), overpayments and some basic advice for giving to people who may wish to make an appeal.
We also offer a one-day stand-alone Introduction to Universal Credit Workshop:- Who qualifies, how it’s calculated (including the rules about earnings from employment or self-employment), work seeking conditionality and managing an online claim. This is a stand-alone day which can be booked by anyone working in benefits as an in-house Workshop just for their own organisation, but it also works as an optional third day following on from the programme described above.
Note: The programme is indicative and is subject to change to reflect any recent rule reflect changes and the needs of specific groups or organisations. Further one-day Training Workshops are also available which can cover specific or more complex issues in more depth – e.g. Claims From The Self-employed, Submitting Appeals, Commerciality & Contrivance, Overpayments, Claims From Persons Arriving From Overseas, etc.
Presented by Peter Barker. A hugely experienced trainer, appeals presenter, and submission writer.
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).