Welfare Reform, Sickness and Disability

Overview

We are in the midst of a major restructuring and reduction in the benefits available to sick and disabled people. This process was started with the introduction of Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and continued with Personal Independence Payment (PIP) replacing Disability Living Allowance from April 2013. The introduction of Universal Credit further changes the available provision.

Course purpose

To enable participants to understand what the likely effects of the changes will be now and into the future and to discuss what steps and approaches might maximise benefit entitlement.

Course objectives

• Know the historic and current benefits position of this group
• Be aware of the operation of ESA, including recent changes to descriptors
• Identify which sick people will be subject to “conditionality”
• Be aware of the timetable of and tests used by PIP
• Understand how Universal Credit is constructed and what problems it poses
• Have an overview of other changes that may affect this group, such as the introduction of Council Tax Support, changes to Retirement Pension, etc.

Course structure

• On screen presentations
• Demonstration examples
• Participant case studies
• Open discussion

Who this course is for

Those who require an understanding of the changes and how they will affect sick and disabled people, whether they have limited or detailed knowledge of the current system and the proposed changes.

Who this course is NOT for

Those who have no knowledge of the benefits system. Those who want a full day course on Personal Independence Payment or who want a course about the effects of welfare reform on Older People. (Ferret is running courses specifically on those two topics).

CPD

Ferret´s face to face Welfare Reform training is authorised and accredited by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) for the award of CPD for solicitors and others.

6 hours CPD will be awarded for completing this course.

Booking

To view current dates or book a training course use our online booking form, or alternatively contact us through the main office on 029 2064 3333, Fax us on 029 2064 3331 or email us: training@ferret.co.uk

In-house training may be the preferred solution if you require training for a team of up to 16 staff.

Costs

£120.00 ( + VAT) per attendee.

The fee is inclusive of training materials, lunch and refreshments. Please indicate when booking if you have any special dietary requirements. There is an additional £15 surcharge for London based courses.