11 days: Tuesdays 16 September to 2 December 2008 (half term break) - FULL
or Thursdays 18 September to 4 December 2008 (half term break)
and Tuesdays 20 January to 7 April 2009 (half term break)
or Thursdays 22 January to 9 April 2009 (half term break)
Closing date: 1 September for Autumn (though places may still be avaialble after this) and 22 December for Winter course.
10am - 4pm
This course is intended for workers and volunteers who are currently advising the public about welfare benefits and who are either new to benefits advice, or who are experienced but need a more comprehensive knowledge of the benefits system. Practical exercises allow participants to put their new knowledge into practice and share ideas with others.
Delegates are required to use the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) 'Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook' 2008/2009 to complete these exercises, as well as the assessed coursework. If your organisation does not already have an up-to-date edition, it should obtain a copy before the course starts. The current 10th edition - for 2008/09 - costs £36 and is available from CPAG direct (external link), or from good book shops (quote ISBN 978 1 906076 12 2 ).
The course is accredited with OCN to level 2. You must register for the whole course and complete assignments to gain an OCN certificate. Please note that whilst we do expect learners to complete assignments (coursework), there is no formal test or examination.
You will be required to attend all the days of this course. Please bear this in mind when booking holidays.
Introduction to Welfare Benefits Course Programme:
Unit One: Introduction to Benefits
- Structure and legal basis of the benefits system
- Calculating Income Support
- Claiming, getting paid and disputing decisions
Unit Two: General Welfare Benefits
- Benefits to cover housing costs
- Jobseeker's Allowance
- Tax Credits & calculating entitlement
- The Social Fund
Unit Three: Benefits for particular groups
- Incapacity for work
- Employment and Support Allowance
- Maternity Benefits
- Claimants aged 16/17
- Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance
- Pension Credit & calculating entitlement
Cost of course
Training venue
Training terms & conditions
Accreditation & assessment
Booking form
Contact the Training Unit
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Information Provider:
Steph Greenshields
Date Reviewed:
8 January 2008