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 older people in the course of their work who are struggling to make ends meet
It aims to provide participants with a system that allows them to check potential entitlement for their clients or peers, and by explaining how the system works and where people can find out more.
Introduction and Aim
A report published by Policy in Practice entitled “Missing out 2024” estimates that £23 billion of support is unclaimed each year. Many people miss out on the assistance available because of a lack of knowledge of their rights and difficulties with the claiming process. They risk being unable to meet their basic needs and the cost of living crisis (in particular fuel costs and energy price cap) makes it more important than ever that people are able to maximise their income.
This course, run by Citizens Advice Devon, will help participants understand more about the benefits that are available and support people to claim what they are entitled to.
Objectives
After attending this course, participants should be able to:
- Identify key conditions of entitlement to a range of individual benefits for people in different circumstances
- Understand the basics of ‘means-testing’ and how disability related benefits may increase entitlement
- Identify and access resources for identifying entitlement and making referrals
- Provide further assistance in understanding Universal Credit, Personal Independence Pay (PIP), Housing Benefit
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.