Challenging Benefits Decisions

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This course has now taken place. To see all our current training and learning opportunities, visit www.devoncommunities.org.uk/courses or contact info@devoncommunities.org.uk to discuss bespoke training arrangements for your organisation.
Course Category: Benefits and Money Advice

price

  • £54.49: Members of Devon Communities Together and Citizens Advice staff/volunteers
  • £76.05: Charities, Community Groups or Parish and Town Councils that are not members of Devon Community Together
  • £103.00: Private Sector organisations and Statutory Local Authorities

course description

Most organisations that help people to challenge benefits decisions have a success rate in excess of 80%. Come and find out how they do it.

The course covers:

  • the process for disputes relevant to benefits
  • how to identify grounds for challenging decisions
  • how to set out written requests for reconsiderations and appeals

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IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO COMMISSION THIS AS AN IN-HOUSE COURSE TAILORED TO YOUR ORGANISATIONAL NEEDS PLEASE CONTACT INFO@DEVONCOMMUNITIES.ORG.UK

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The course will give participants the knowledge and confidence to:

  • Explain the structure for settling disputes relating to decisions about entitlement to benefits
  • Identify and interpret relevant social security legislation and case law
  • Present evidence and legal argument clearly and effectively
  • Explain the role of, and procedures relevant to, social security appeals.

ABOUT YOUR TUTOR

Vincent Willson

Vincent has worked for the Citizens Advice service in Devon since 1985.  As an experienced trainer, he has provided benefits training for many years to voluntary and statutory sector staff, covering all aspects of the benefits system from introductory courses to Tribunal Representation.  He has been a benefits caseworker throughout his working life, having taken cases up to the Upper Tribunal level.  He continues to work as a benefits caseworker, providing advice and assistance to families with children with disabilities and to young people with disabilities.  He also provides benefits advice as part of the Devon Advice Service for Working Age Carers and is the Chief Officer at Citizens Advice Teignbridge.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Please let Support Services know if there is anything that would affect your learning and if there is anything we can do to enable you to fully participate in our courses and we will do our best to accommodate you.

Call Support Services on 01392 248919 or email info@devoncommunities.org.uk