The Unit provides a comprehensive training programme covering all aspects of welfare benefits, together with an
external programme which can tailor courses to meet the needs of your organisation
All courses are supported by detailed training materials and are accredited by the Solicitor Regulation Authority.
We are a recognised training provider for Continuing Professional Development. Certificates will be issued upon completion.
Prices: £95.00 - £195.00 (subject to status).
Concessions may be granted on written application.
Courses are also available in-house at the standard rate of £795 per day excluding expenses.
Contact Maxine Reid on 0121 666 7533 or via e-mail: office@btu.org.uk to request a booking form or copy of the full training programme.
| Benefits for Non Advisors | |||
| 5 CPD hrs |
A one day course that is intended to provide non benefit advisors with basic knowledge of the benefits system and structure.
The course will cover the main benefits and allowances currently available, the basic qualifying conditions and how to make claims.
It is intended for those people who need to have some basic understanding of the benefits system.
(No previous knowledge is assumed) | ||
| 2012 25 January |
2013 To be advised |
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| Introduction to Benefits | |||
| 10 CPD hrs | A one-day course giving an overview of the benefits system. It highlights the basic rules for
benefit and tax credit entitlement. The course is aimed at new advisors or people looking for a further
insight into the benefits system. (No previous knowledge is assumed) | ||
| 2012 To be advised | 14:32 20/10/2011
2013 To be advised |
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| Means-Tested Benefits | |||
| 10 CPD hrs | A two-day course examining income support, jobseeker's allowance, pension credit, housing
benefit and council tax. It looks at the qualifying conditions for each benefit and the calculation
of entitlements. Those attending this course should have a basic knowledge of the benefits system or
have attended the introduction to benefits course. (A basic knowledge is assumed) | ||
| 2011 17-18 November |
2012 To be advised |
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| Employment & Support Allowance (ESA) | |||
| 5 CPD hrs | Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) was implemented in October 2008. It replaced
incapacity benefit and income support on the basis of incapacity. This one-day course will cover the framework
for ESA, including the qualifying conditions, the work capability assessment and new descriptors. It will also
examine ESA rates and calculations and look at what sanctions and safeguards will apply under the new scheme, as well
as the transitional arrangements for existing claimants. The course will also briefly cover challenging decisions.
(A working knowledge of benefits is assumed) | ||
| 2012 2 February |
2013 To be advised |
||
| Benefits for Carers Introductory | |||
| 5 CPD hrs | A new one-day course examining the welfare benefits system as it affects carers. It aims
to help those who advise carers understand what benefits they may be able to claim in order to maximise their income. It will include an introduction to disaiblity living allowance, attendance allowance,
employment support allowance, carers allowance, means-tested benefits, help with housing costs and help for carers who are also in paid employment.
(No previous knowledge is assumed) | ||
| 2012 7 February |
2013 To be advised |
||
| Housing Benefit Introductory | |||
| 5 CPD hrs | A one-day course introducing housing benefit.
It covers the qualifying conditions, rent assessments including local housing allowances and the benefit calculations.
It looks at the claiming procedures, discretionary housing payments and challenging local authority
decisions. (A basic knowledge of housing benefit is assumed) | ||
| 2012 20 January |
2013 To be advised |
||
| Housing Benefit Advanced | |||
| 5 CPD hrs | A one-day course looking at common housing benefit problems; including claims, rent liability,
temporary absences and overpayments. It will look at the decision-making and appeals process and examines
recent case law developments and the likely future of housing benefit. (Familiarity with housing benefit is assumed) | ||
| 2012 29 February |
2013 To be advised |
||
| DLA & AA Introductory | |||
| 5 CPD hrs | A one-day course that gives an overview of disability living allowance and attendance allowance.
It looks at the qualifying conditions related to personal and mobility needs and conditions not related
to disability, including the effects of residential care and absence from the UK. It offers practical advice
and some tips on form filling. It looks briefly at carer's benefits and DWP decision-making. (No previous knowledge is assumed) | ||
| 2012 To be advised |
2013 To be advised |
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| DLA & AA Advanced | |||
| 10 CPD hrs | A two-day course looking at the personal care and mobility conditions in detail. It will examine key legal decisions and looks at how to find and use case law effectively. It covers the decision-making process in detail, including claims, reconsiderations and appeals.
(Familiarity with DLA and AA is assumed) | ||
| 2011 6 - 7 December |
2012 To be advised |
||
| Benefits for People coming from abroad | |||
| 10 CPD hrs |
A two-day course which looks in detail at the rules affecting the benefit entitlements of people coming to the UK. The first day covers the way that a person's immigration status can affect their entitlements. It looks at who is defined as 'a person subject to immigration control' and therefore excluded from the main benefits and what the exceptions are. It also looks at the entitlements of couples with differing immigration statuses. The second day examines the residence and presence tests.
(Participants will need to have a working knowledge of the benefits system) | ||
| 2012 15 - 16 March |
2013 To be advised |
||
| Benefits and Young People | |||
| 5 CPD hrs |
A one-day course examining benefit entitlement for 16 to 25 year olds. It will look at benefits for disabled young people, young parents, students and unemployed young people - including jobseeker's allowance and hardship payments.
(No previous knowledge is assumed) | ||
| 2011 21 October |
2012 To be advised |
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| Appeals and Decision-making | |||
| 10 CPD hrs |
A two-day course that takes a comprehensive look at the decision-making and appeals process. It examines revisions, super-sessions and appeals. It looks at time limits, administrative procedures and appeal hearings. The role of both advocates and tribunals is explored. It will briefly cover the options for challenging an unfavourable tribunal decision.
This course incorporates the changes that came into effect in November 2008. (A working knowledge of benefits is assumed) | ||
| 2012 12-13 January |
2013 To be advised |
||
| Tax Credits - CTC & WTC | |||
| 5 CPD hrs |
A one-day course on child tax credit and working tax credit. The course looks at the rules of entitlement and calculation. People attending this course should have a basic knowledge of the benefits system or have attended the Introduction to Benefits course.
(A basic knowledge is assumed) | ||
| 2012 28 March |
2013 To be advised |
||
| Social Fund | |||
| 5 CPD hrs |
A one-day course looking at the rules for payments from the Social Fund. It looks at both the regulated fund (funeral payments, maternity grants, winter fuel payments and cold weather payments) and the discretionary fund (community care grants, budgeting loans and crisis loans). It will examine the procedures for challenging decisions made by each fund.
(No previous knowledge is assumed) | ||
| 2012 31 January |
2013 To be advised |
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| Appealing to the Upper Tribunal (formerly known as Social Security and Child Support Commissioners) | |||
| 5 CPD hrs |
A one-day course that looks at ways of challenging decisions of appeal tribunals. It looks at the procedures and time limits for appealing on a point of law to the Upper Tribunal (formerly known as Social Security and Child Support Commissioners). It looks in detail at identifying errors of law and applying for leave to appeal. This course is aimed at appeal tribunal representatives who would like to take the next step.
This course incorporates the changes that came into effect in November 2008. (Experience of appeals work is assumed) | ||
| 2012 18 January |
2013 To be advised |
||
| Pension Credits | |||
| 5 CPD hrs |
A one-day course which examines the state pension credit. It looks at the qualification rules and calculation of entitlement for both the guarantee credit and the savings credit. It looks at the impact of pension credits on other benefits and outlines the procedures for claims and appeals
(A working knowledge of benefits is assumed) | ||
| 2012 22 March |
2013 To be advised |
||
| Introduction to ESA & ICB | |||
| 5 CPD hrs |
A one-day course looking at the benefits available to people who are too ill to work. It covers entitlement to statutory sick pay, incapacity benefit
and employment support allowance. It considers the DWP's tests of incapacity and limited capability. It also covers
how to challenge an assessment and provides a brief introduction to the industrial injuries benefit scheme.
(A basic knowledge of benefits is assumed) | ||
| 2011 23 November |
2012 To be advised |
||
| Right to Reside | |||
| 5 CPD hrs |
A one-day course looking in detail at the right to reside requirement that applies within certain benefits.
The course covers the main groups that have a right to reside, the extra restrictions that apply to most
accession state nationals and how certain changes of circumstance affect someone's residence rights. The course
also summarises which residence tests apply to each benefit, and how the habitual residence test operates and who is
exempt from it. Please note the content of this course is largely the same as the second day of the Benefits
for People from Abroad course, so if you advise non-Europeans who are subject to immigration control you should
book on the 2 day course instead of this one. (A working knowledge of benefits is assumed) | ||
| 2012 16 January |
2013 To be advised |
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| Form Filling: DLA & AA | |||
| 5 CPD hrs |
A properly completed form can deterine whether a claim is successful. This one day course provides
guidance on how to complete a DLA & AA form. (An understanding of the basic qualifying conditions for DLA & AA is assumed) | ||
| 2011 4 November |
2012 To be advised |
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| Benefits for Families | |||
| 5 CPD hrs |
This one day course provides an overview of the benefits available to families. It outlines the main benefits payable
to households that include children/young people, and the conditions for benefit to be paid.
(The course assumes no previous benefits knowledge) | ||
| 2012 6 January |
2013 To be advised |
||
| Welfare Reforms & Universal Credit | |||
| 5 CPD hrs |
This one day course is intended to provide a summary of the proposed Universal Credit. The course will cover
the basic conditions for the new credit, the proposed structure and the transitional arrangements (as these are currently known).
The course will also briefly look at the proposed Personal Independence Payments which are intended to replace DLA. (A reasonable working knowledge of benefits is assumed) | ||
| 2011 1 November 8 December |
2012 23 February |
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