This course is suitable if you work in one of the following sectors:
- Small voluntary sector organisations who provide help to members of the public e.g. foodbanks, caring organisations, community transport
- Social prescribers
- Housing providers or housing associations
- Local authorities
- Anyone who meets people in the course of their work who are struggling to make ends meet and may need support with navigating the benefits system
Introduction and Aim
There are important changes that are affecting claimants in Devon who have to move to Universal Credit. People risk missing out and losing benefit for a period if they don’t understand what is required, as the process of transferring to Universal Credit is speeding up and is due to be completed by April 2026.
Moving across to Universal Credit is challenging for many people. The cost of living crisis makes it more important than ever for people to maximise their income and Universal Credit is the main means-tested benefit that can help people. The main group of people who are now subject to the process of ‘managed migration' are those receiving Employment and Support Allowance, who probably need the most help with the process.
This course, run by Citizens Advice Devon, aims to provide participants with information about moving from the old, means-tested benefits (‘legacy’ benefits) to Universal Credit so that they can advise their clients or signpost them for more information. It will help advisers and their clients to navigate their way through the complexities and maximise income.
Objectives
This course will enable participants identify who is entitled to Universal Credit and help them to claim. It will enable participants to:
- Explain the basic conditions of entitlement to Universal Credit
- Explain the circumstances in which people move onto Universal Credit from legacy benefits
- Enable people to negotiate the transfer in the most effective way
About your tutor:
Vincent Wilson - Vincent has worked for the Citizens Advice service in Devon since 1985. As an experienced trainer, he has provided benefits training for many years to voluntary and statutory sector staff, covering all aspects of the benefits system from introductory courses to Tribunal Representation. He has been a benefits caseworker for most of his working life, having taken cases to the Upper Tribunal level. He has been involved with national Health Education England in the design of an e-learning module on social welfare legal support and money guidance for social prescribers and has provided training locally on the financial support available to people worst affected by the rise in the cost of living. He is Chief Officer at Citizens Advice Teignbridge.