Overview

Outcomes

This course will cover:

• How Universal Credit differs from Housing Benefit
• How to assist people with applying for Universal Credit
• How housing costs will be dealt with under Universal Credit
• What type of accommodation will remain under the Housing Benefit system
• Who is eligible to receive help with housing costs and what restrictions may apply
• What assistance is available to help Universal Credit claimants who have to pay rates
• How to estimate how much someone will receive under Universal Credit
• About sources of financial support there are to help people who are struggling with the new system
• The eligibility criteria, application process and repayment procedures associated with the new system of loan support for mortgage costs
• How other elements of Welfare Reform, including the bedroom tax, benefit cap and welfare supplementary payments, interact with Universal Credit

• Understand the types of accommodation which will be assessed under Universal Credit
• Understand the application, assessment and payment cycles for Universal Credit
• Assist customers who have difficulty understanding their entitlement to assistance with payments relating to rent, service charges, mortgages and secured loans and rates
• Signpost customers to relevant sources of statutory and charitable support to ease financial hardship
• This course will be of particular interest to people working within the social housing sector, private landlords and agents and advice agencies who regularly deal with housing queries.