Housing Benefit

Tuesday 15 April 2008

Thursday 17 April 2008

9.45am

4.00pm

Contact Housing Rights Service for venue info

Contact Housing Rights Service for prices

Event

Derry - Tuesday 15 April 2008
Belfast - Thursday 17 April 2008

Housing benefit is a means tested benefit available to persons on a low income and administered by the Housing Executive for all tenants.

Whether a claimant is entitled to Housing Benefit and the amount paid will depend on a number of factors: his/her income and capital; the number, age and circumstances of his/her household members and the eligible rent determined for the area in which they live.

An award of Housing Benefit can be refused for a number of reasons and challenging such a decision can be complex requiring advisers to have a thorough understanding of housing benefit regulations.

This one day course has been updated to include the provisions of the Welfare Reform Act (NI) 2007.

The course will include:

• Rules and qualifying conditions for Housing Benefit
• Proof of occupation and liability to pay rent
• Circumstances in which payment for ‘Two Homes’ can be made
• Application of the new Local Housing Allowance for tenants in the private rented sector
• Contrived tenancies
• Overpayments and the recovery of monies
• Appeals process

This course will be essential for welfare rights/ housing advisers, housing association and hostel staff and statutory sector workers, such as social workers and probation staff who deal with Housing benefit enquiries on behalf of their clients.

For further details, including costs and to book a place on the course, please contact:
Sarah Hamilton on 028 9024 5640 or email sarah@housingrights.org.uk.