Universal Credit Overview

Universal Credit (UC) is the main means tested benefit for people of working age, whether you are in or out of work. This course looks at who should claim UC, how much should be awarded, how to manage the claim, and what claimants have to do to avoid problems with sanctions.

This is a two-part course run over two consecutive half days. To attend the whole course, please select 2-part ticket for £145 + VAT (you do not need to book separately onto Part 2).

UNIVERSAL CREDIT OVERVIEW, Part 1:

• Eligibility & Rollout
• BREAK
• The UC Calculation

Aims
This part of the course looks at the main Universal Credit (UC) eligibility rules and rollout issues that staff and volunteers need to be aware of. It enables participants to understand who can claim UC and when it is appropriate to do so. This part of the course also provides an overview of the UC calculation and how amounts are worked out. It enables participants to check a UC award and ensure that the correct amount has been awarded.

Objectives
By the end of part 1 participants will:

• Understand how Universal Credit affects the wider benefits system and how UC interacts with other benefits.
• Know who can claim Universal Credit including an awareness of restrictions in respect of age, people from abroad, students and people with capital.
• Have explored the effect of different changes of circumstances on legacy benefits.
• Be able to recognise when it is appropriate to make a claim to UC and when it is not (including getting better off calculations done).
• Understand the eligibility rules for the various elements that can be included in a UC award.
• Understand how different forms of income affect a UC award.
• Be aware of how UC is calculated and be able to use online tools to get calculations done.
• Be able to anticipate the make up of likely awards at the point of application and check that they are correct once an entitlement decision has been made.

UNIVERSAL CREDIT OVERVIEW, Part 2:

• The Claims Process
• BREAK
• Work Requirements & Sanctions

Aims
UC Overview, part 2 teaches the Universal Credit claims process. It enables participants to help people make the most effective claims to UC including those with a range of access needs. After the break, the course goes on to look at the work related requirements in UC and what claimants must do to avoid a sanction. It enables participants to diagnose a claimant’s work related requirement group and give basic advice on how to avoid a benefit sanction.

Objectives
By the end of part 2 participants will:

• Be aware of the key stages involved in making an online claim to UC.
• Know when it is appropriate for a telephone claim to be made and how to facilitate a telephone claim.
• Have seen a partial demonstration of the online claims process.
• Know when the first payment is due to be made and how and when an advance can be made to alleviate hardship.
• Have an awareness of how assessment periods operate in UC and how changes of circumstances effect awards.
• Understand how the four work related requirement groups operate in UC.
• Be able to help people mitigate against the likelihood of a sanction decision being made.
• Understand how good reason operates in UC and how to challenge decisions.

Methods of delivery
This course is delivered online live with a BTC trainer. It is a practical course delivered using a combination of trainer presentation, exercises and case studies, group discussion and games. Participants will be provided with e-learning supporting material including PowerPoint slide handouts, a comprehensive training pack pdf and additional resources. There is a 20-30 minute break halfway through the course.

Intended audience
This course is for participants working with working age people. No previous experience is required although a working knowledge of the wider benefits system is helpful. Please consider whether our Universal Credit in Depth course may be more suitable for you.

Certificates & post course support
Named participants completing the whole course (Parts 1 & 2 ) will receive an e-certificate and regular benefits news updates. This also guarantees eligibility to access our free 12 months post-course advice service and priority entry to free webinars.