This course is designed to provide information and guidance about benefits including supplementary support.  We have designed a series of 8 sessions:  2 per day to be delivered over 4 half days.   If you are unable to do this please refrain from booking a ticket – this ensures maximum attendance at the events throughout the course duration. 

The course is delivered by our partner organisation:  NSCAB and is FREE to attend.  Drinks provided.  

Day 1:  6th March 2020

• Universal Credit – an introduction to this benefit, looking at particular issues impacting those with complex needs.


• Benefit Sanctions – explaining the sanction regimes for Universal Credit, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Employment & Support Allowance, and discussing tactics for supporting people with complex needs to avoid being sanctioned

Day 2: 13th March 2020

• ‘Fit for Work?’ – the Work Capability Assessment for Employment and Support Allowance and Universal Credit, looking particularly at interpreting the descriptors for people coping with complex needs


• Personal Independence Payment – disability benefits and complex needs, looking at the qualifying conditions for this benefit, with an introduction to completing forms, preparing for medical assessments and dealing with reconsiderations and appeals

Day 3: 20th march 2020

• Housing costs for Universal Credit and Housing Benefit – looking at how these are calculated, restrictions on housing costs in the social and private sector, and deductions for non-dependents.


• Council Tax Support – covering the schemes for working age people in Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle Borough, including when the 30% and 20% minimum charges apply

Day 4: 27th March 2020

• Benefits and relationships – looking at ‘living together’ decisions, benefits for children, separation and domestic violence, and when changes in family circumstances mean new claims for Universal Credit


• Benefits in and out of the community – what happens to your benefits when you move into a hostel, or are admitted to hospital and prison

Please note that there is a car park adjacent to the YMCA: this is chargable and managed by an external company.