Introduction to Welfare Rights

8 weekly sessions online, on Tuesdays at 6 - 8pm, starting from Tuesday 13 October.

Overview

This is an introductory course, suitable for volunteers, trainees and others in the advice sector who want to increase their knowledge of the benefits system. The course will start with an overview, establishing the distinction between means-tested, contribution-based and other benefits. Further sessions will look at individual benefits in more detail, and will include sessions on Universal Credit, disability and sickness benefits, support for housing, and migrants’ rights to benefits.

The course is suitable for volunteers and trainees in Welfare rights, plus others in the advice sector who wish to become more informed about benefits issues affecting their clients.. The course should provide participants with an overall knowledge of the benefits system, equip them to give advice on benefits issues and to know where to seek further information.

Syllabus

Week 1. An introduction to the benefits system: Means-tested, contribution-based and Non-means-tested, non-contribution-based benefits.
Week 2. Contribution-based benefits
Week 3. Disability and the benefits system
Week 4. Means-tested benefits: General Principles and Pension Credit
Week 5. Means-tested benefits: Universal Credit
Week 6. Illness and the Work Capability Assessment
Week 7. The roof over your head: Help with housing costs
Week 8. Benefits and migrants

Course lecturer

Ruth Knox is an experienced welfare rights advisor, having worked with RAISE Advice for over 10 years, and since retirement with Vauxhall Law Centre as a volunteer benefits adviser. She has taught various Welfare Rights courses with the Continuing Education department of the University of Liverpool since 2018.

Course fee

Standard fee: £135
Concession fee: £70