Adviser skills - Understanding social security law and finding it online

About this course

Entitlement to social security is determined by whether or not a claimant meets the legal rules relevant to the benefit in question. Similarly, the processes that must be followed.

The course covers:

• The building blocks of the law (Acts, regulations and caselaw) and how they relate to one another
• The usual structure of statute law: commencement dates, definitions, regulation making powers, schedules etc
• The overall structure of social security law
• Developing skills in finding out which law is relevant to your client’s case
• Where to find the law and guidance online, and effective use of these resources
• How to properly refer to the law (citation of cases etc) when doing casework
• The structure and role of DWP/LA/HMRC guidance and where to find it online
• An introduction to CPAG’s benefit case diagnostic tools and template submissions to aid effective and accurate casework 

This full-day standard level course is suitable for advisers who undertake benefit casework. 

Those wanting to challenge decisions of the First-tier Tribunal should also book on our Appeals to the Upper Tribunal training.

Method of delivery and timings

This full-day equivalent, standard-level course, is delivered online via Zoom over two consecutive mornings. It runs from 10am to 1pm on each day, with a half hour break between 11.15am-11.45am. 

It is a practical course delivered using a combination of trainer presentation, exercises and group discussion. Participants will need a Wi-Fi connection and a suitable device to access the internet. It is not recommended to join via a mobile phone.