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Backdating: The rules for the backdating of Housing Benefit are often misunderstood and the issue of ‘Good Cause’ is a subject that is constantly challenged. Topics covered will include:
• What is and is not backdating?
• The concept of “good cause” for failure to claim earlier;
• The automatic rule for 60+s and other rules;
• Claims for backdating and the backdating time limit;

Overpayments: Overpayments and disputes regarding overpayments and their recovery continue to be one of the most contentious areas of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. The Workshop will cover all the rules involved with overpayments and will look at the various issues and considerations needed in respect of the relevant dates and calculations involved. It will also look at the impact of the 2009 rule changes regarding recovery of overpayments from the claimant, landlord, partners, non-dependants and others. Topics covered during the day will include:
• What counts as an ‘overpayment’ of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit;
• The rules regarding recovery of overpayments from the claimant, landlord, partners, non-dependants and others;
• Which overpayments are recoverable, and which are not;
• How to calculate the amount of an overpayment;
• General rules about which methods of recovery can be used;
• Case law and recent developments on overpayments.

Disputes & Appeals:  This Workshop will look at issues that can arise when a tenant wishes to appeal against a decision that has been made on their Housing Benefit claim. It will cover issues such as information, evidence and law, as well as providing an overview of the various matters that need to be considered for cases that reach the Tribunals process itself. Topics which will be covered during the day include:

• Reviewing cases – either as part of the intervention procedure or for other reasons;
• Revisions, supersessions and appeals - demystifying the terminology;
• Overpayment appeals by claimants and landlords;
• Practical issues to consider for appeal hearings, and which cases can be appealed to a Tribunal?
• Appeals to the new First-tier Tribunals;
• Implementing appeal decisions and notifications;
• Contentious and useful case law from the Courts and Commissioners;

Time will also be provided for discussion and for delegates to raise their own concerns on backdating, overpayment and appeals matters.

By means of presentations, discussions and exercises our presenter, John Zebedee, will provide a fact-filled day covering the most up-to-date information available. The Workshop is suitable for people with a background in Housing Benefit who want to know about this particular topic in more detail. It is particularly suitable for Housing Benefit administration staff and for benefit advisors and debt recovery officers from local authorities, housing associations and benefits agencies who have a reasonable working knowledge of the Housing Benefit scheme. 

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Booking Fee: £190 + V.A.T. Includes lunch, course notes and refreshments.

BOOK THREE PLACES AT THE SAME VENUE AND RECEIVE A FOURTH PLACE FREE! ___________________________________________________________________________________________

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