Course of the month: Universal Credit

With the cost-of-living crisis still hitting hard and more and more landlords letting to tenants in receipt of benefits, it has never been more important for landlords and agents to understand the Universal Credit system.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) expects to have transferred between eight to nine million claimants by December 2024, with around six million people already receiving money to cover housing costs as part of their Universal Credit (UC) payment.

The NRLA course will support landlords to navigate the system and how to approach any issues that may arise as regards tenants' claims.

What will we cover?

The course, which is suitable for landlords and agents will include training on:

  • How Universal Credit differs from Housing Benefit 
  • How to make and maintain an online claim – defective claims, verification, changes in circumstances, back-dating 
  • How the “Housing Costs element” (HCE) is calculated 
  • Accessing Direct Payment of the housing costs and challenging refusals
  • Challenging DWP decisions and appeals  
  • Universal Credit overpayments – how to challenge DWP poor practice – standard letters etc 
  • Making a complaint to DWP and Independent Case Examiner – including case examples and standard letters.

The course is delivered by Bill Irvine, a former Government adviser, who now runs an advice and advocacy company on Universal Credit issues. Bill has spent the last ten years advising landlords and tenants, as well as resolving disputes. 

This course is £86 for NRLA members and £108 for non-members, with next eClassroom class scheduled for Thursday, 13th June at 10am. eClassroom courses are live courses, delivered remotely via our NRLA trainers in real time over Zoom, which allows delegated to interact with the trainer and each other.

For more information on the course and how to book, click here.

Accreditation

This course is worth three Continuing Professional Development points, which can help towards accreditation with the NRLA.Find out more about how to become accredited by clicking here.