Understanding the Housing Benefit ‘Exempt Accommodation’ (Supported Living) Rules
A Workshop which specifically looks at this important and often controversial area of the Housing Benefit Scheme which continues to provide major challenges for all those involved with Housing Benefits.
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Workshops recently held - Further dates are being planned for April / May 2012.
Please contact us for details of running this Workshop 'in-house' for staff from your own individual organisation.
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Exempt accommodation (and supported living generally) has been much argued about over the past few years, both from the point of view of the resident needing accommodation and services, and from the point of view of Councils and the Government itself in respect of paying for these services. This Workshop looks at all the latest changes, and explains what exempt accommodation is, how the definition has been challenged, what the current understanding is, and also provides an overview of related issues such as liability, commerciality and contrivance.
The Workshop will look at the way challenges have been made regarding exempt accommodation charges in terms of:
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Whether or not accommodation is exempt;
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Whether or not rent and service charges are accurate and eligible for HB purposes;
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Whether or not rents and service charges may be considered to be unreasonable.
This has become very important to many residents and their landlords, especially for determining the amount of Housing Benefit entitlement that can be applied to cover the extra costs. The Workshop will therefore look at:
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The definition of exempt accommodation – and what it means to provide care, support or supervision;
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An overview of different provision models for people who need care support or supervision;
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Who has to provide the care, support or supervision, and what arrangements landlords can enter into for this purpose;
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How landlords are able to set their rents to cover the costs of rent and services in exempt accommodation;
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Which services are and are not eligible for housing benefit – including the debate about certain communal services;
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Case Law on what is considered to be “an unreasonable rent increase”.
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Claimants who need live-in carers, and rotating carers, and housing benefit’s role in assisting with this;
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The difference between residents in vulnerable groups, and other residents, and the various protections available to ensure housing benefit meets their rents in full;
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The impact of exempt accommodation on Councils’ subsidy position;
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An overview of related issues arising from liability, contrivance and commerciality.
The Workshop also covers the legal protections offered to residents and covers the issue of when people are unable to afford their rent unless there is somewhere else suitable for them to go.
To get full benefit from the course delegates should already have a good basic understanding of Housing Benefit issues, and will be suitable for benefit assessors and accommodation providers from all housing sectors. By means of presentations, discussions and exercises our presenter, Peter Barker (the “HB Anorak”), will provide a fact-filled day covering the most up-to-date information available.
Your Presenter
Peter Barker
Peter Barker has worked in the field of benefits since 1985. His previous posts include working for the Citizens Advice, Westminster City Council and the Local Government Ombudsman, where he edited the in-house Housing Benefit practice note.He now works as a trainer, appeals presenter/submission writer and specialist adviser.
Peter regularly presents at both First-tier and Upper Tribunals and he is well-known to Housing Benefit practitioners for his regular contributions to the HBINFO discussion forum and conferences. Peter has presented and developed hundreds of courses over the last few years and his analytical skills and enthusiasm for his subject are unmatched.
Peter is an expert on the decisions and appeals adjudication framework and European rights of residence. He has a detailed knowledge of case law and he has recently developed a methodology for resolving disputes about supported and exempt accommodation.
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Booking Fee: £220 + V.A.T.
Includes lunch, comprehensive course notes and refreshments.
BOOK THREE PLACES AT THE SAME VENUE AND RECEIVE A FOURTH PLACE FREE!
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BOOKING INFORMATION
It is essential that we receive your Booking Form with an Official Order Number if your organisation's procedures stipulate these must be provided. You will be informed within 3 working days by email when this has been received and that your place(s) are reserved, otherwise you should contact us to confirm the booking has been received. Substitutes to the persons named on the Booking Form may attend right up to the day itself. However, it would be helpful if we could be advised of this beforehand, and also informed of any special dietary needs of the person(s) that are substituting.
Do you have more than 4 people requiring this training, but not sufficient for an in-house Workshop? Often this may apply to Workshops suitable primarily for Team Leaders/Supervisors. Please contact us for details of our special discounts which can provide a cost-effective solution to meeting your training needs.
To book online please: 
If you prefer to complete a paper Booking Form then you may obtain one by clicking here:
Post / Fax / Email: Please complete the Booking Form and Post / Fax / Attach To Email the Booking Form and send to:
Zebra Training Services
P.O. Box 268, Wigan, WN5 8FQ
E-mail: mail@ZebraTraining.co.uk Tel: (01942) 222078 Fax: 0870 762 0973
You will be invoiced for the Booking Fee – you do not need to send payment when booking. Cancellations received in writing within 10 days of the Workshop date, or non-arrival, will be charged at the full registration fee. Cancellations received in writing within 11-28 days of the Workshop will incur an administration charge of 35% of the fee above. Substitutes may attend on the day without prior notice. A copy of the full Terms & Conditions is available from Zebra Training Services on request.
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