"A good course- I realise just how much I didn't know!" Louise Martin, Sheffield City Council
"Useful and informative." Lisa Aspinall, Further Options
"Started course very confused, completed course more confident and knowledgeable." Linda Carpenter, Solihull Carers Centre
This course examines the major overhaul of the sickness benefits system and associated problems. The course applies equally to those presenting as 'sick' for Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance. Around 1.5 million claimants are currently being 'migrated' to the new system from Spring 2011. New descriptors and exemptions were introduced in March 2011 and January 2013. The Government aims to reduce the number of people on benefit and require most claimants to undertake work related activity.
This course will include—
- a brief history of the old system of sickness benefits and the reasons for change
- the medical tests; the Limited Capability for Work Assessment and the Limited Capability for Work Related Activity Assessment
- changes to these tests from March 2011 and January 2013
- permitted work under ESA and the different but similar system under Universal Credit
- Work Focused Health Related Assessments and Work Focused Interviews
- Conditionality and responding to the new sanctions regime introduced from December 2012
- problems with the Work Capability Assessment highlighted by the Harrington and Litchfield Reviews
- 5 possible appeals and responses
- maximising benefit- tactics for improving your client's chances
- at a glance differences between the old system and new
"essential for those assisting clients who are sick/ disabled"
duration— 1 day 10am- 4pm
course level- Update (for delegates with or without prior knowledge of the subject)