High-quality training courses
Written and presented by Richard Stanier, a well-known and experienced trainer with 35 years of experience in benefits, our courses are well regarded for their detailed content and the clarity of their delivery. Courses can include your own Council Tax Reduction Scheme rules, and we also offer ongoing technical advice for email queries at no additional cost.
Training courses
Close your skill gaps
We offer training on all the major areas of Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction and Council Tax. We have a library of "off the shelf" legislative courses and a willingness to adapt our courses to meet your specific requirements, to focus on very specific aspects of legislation. In addition our years of experience in the Revenues and Benefits field allows us to provide on the job system training and mentoring to enable the theory to be consolidated. Our courses start from £695+vat per day.
Assessment of earned income in HB
This course concentrates on the definition of earnings and, in particular, the correct assessment of average earned income and the date that changes should be applied to an award. It also covers the correct assessment of earned income from self-employment and the tricky issue of when these changes are applied.
Exempt accommodation and specialist tenancies
Some residents of specialised accommodation are still reliant on HB for their rent. This training covers the rules around non-standard tenancies to enable delegates to identify and calculate the correct classification, eligible rent and subsidy for such cases.
Universal credit for local authorities
This course explains the main features and administration of UC, including calculation and payment, with a specific focus on the relationship and interaction between UC and benefits delivered by the LA. It covers the definitions of temporary, exempt and specified accommodation, clearly explains the mixed-age couple rules and the assessment of UC in HB and the CTRS.
Introduction to HB, CTRS and UC
This is a five-day course that takes new starters right through the HB/CTRS scheme from the application process, occupancy, liability, means test, eligible rents, calculations, effective dates, discretionary housing payments and overpayments. Also included are overviews of other welfare benefits and UC. Trainees finish the course with a good grounding in the role of the LA in welfare provision and a thorough understanding of the principles of the benefits systems.
Introduction to Council Tax
This one day course is ideal for newly employed Council Tax Officers, Customer Service Officers and Benefits Officers who might need an entry level knowledge of the subject or are moving to a generic working model.
Other courses
• Housing Benefit subsidy in detail
• The calculation and recovery of HB overpayments
• Persons from Abroad
• Effective dates in HB and CTRS
• Self-employed claims in HB (including the calculation of notional tax and national insurance)
• The assessment of student claims in HB
Testimonials
Meritec have been great to work with and we have found they deliver a professional service with consistent high-quality standards and they embrace the guidance we present them with to maintain our work continuity. The staff are very friendly, knowledgeable and have felt like part of our team rather than a distant relationship. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Meritec to any other council looking for temporary or flexible support in Benefits.
Marcus Lee
Senior Customer Services Officer (People)
Ryedale District Council
We have worked with Meritec for a number of years and have found their flexible approach to be both convenient and efficient. Meritec have always managed to provide us with the support we’ve needed and have enabled us to get through times of crisis regarding workloads and resources. Being able to arrange short contracts when necessary has allowed an extra level of flexibility. Their experienced and knowledgeable people have always performed to our desired standards and very often exceed expectations.
Peter Moss
Operations Manager: Revenues & Benefits - Collection & Support
Rochdale Borough Council
We found that we had fallen behind with our work, and even though we were clearing the volume coming in, we were making no headway with the outstanding volume. Having worked successfully with Meritec before, coupled with a competitive rate against the usual agency route, I was confident they would be able to provide high quality staff to help us. Not only were our objectives met but some added value advice provided by Meritec has assisted our usual practices moving forwards. Overall, I am extremely satisfied and would always look to Meritec for support rather than take the agency option.
Pam Siddall
Head of Revenues, Benefits & Customer Services
Oldham Council
Following a redesign of our Benefits, Council Tax and Customer Services teams into a Single Front Office environment, we approached Meritec to provide us with an introduction to Housing Benefit. We found them to be flexible, professional and responsive to our requests, the course was very thorough, the materials provided were excellent and the training was very well received by the delegates. Following on from the success of that course we booked Meritec for a Persons From Abroad Training Course and have booked a further introduction to Housing Benefit and Council Tax support course. I would recommend Meritec Training courses to other Local Authorities.
Camilla Schofield
Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development
Chorley Council
Meritec delivered their 5 day Introduction to HB/CTR Course for 2 of our officers who we were looking to further expand their knowledge in Benefits.
I have had feedback sessions with both attendees, with both having high praise for the trainer and the content of the course.
Both found the training course intensive but also appreciated the trainer’s style which allowed them to revisit and clarify points as the week progressed.
They are also utilising the course manuals on-going as look up guides which they are finding very useful.
We would certainly recommend the training for any new starters to the field of Benefits.
Sue Williamson
Assessment Manager
Preston City Council
Cherwell District Council would most certain recommend Meritec and more specifically Richard Stanier for any training; this is based on the ease and professionalism of the initial arrangements to suit our requirements. The course literature was received well in advance of the training dates, and this allowed us time to review; ask for amendments, or simply approve. This was especially helpful as it allowed us time to prep our officers on what to expect and served to reassure us that all the relevant areas were going to be addressed during the sessions.
Sandra Ganpot
Benefit Services and Performance Manager
Cherwell District Council
We contacted Meritec, having used their services successfully in the past, as we had a specific request for some bespoke re-fresher training for a recently returning member of staff. The team was very obliging in what they could offer and the trainer involved in preparing the course contacted us a couple of weeks in advance to go through every specific topic that we required covering, tailoring the content to our individual requirements. Everything went smoothly on the day in question and our attendee was very happy with the level of content of the course as well as the presentation skills of the trainer. Overall we were very happy with the experience and would recommend the company to other authorities.
Matthew Walmsley
System Support Officer
Preston City Council
Case Studies
We are very proud to be working with a rapidly growing number of organisations to help them upskill and fully understand the complexity of all legislation and processes associated with revenues and benefits.
Case Study: Rossendale Borough Council: Housing Benefit Subsidy Training
Revenues and Benefits Support
Rossendale Borough Council along with other Local Authorities across the UK are responsible for the administration and payment of Housing Benefit to local residents. Subsidy is the term given to the funding of the Housing Benefit scheme by the Department for Work and Pensions, in which the Local Authority pays out as the total relevant benefit lawfully paid during the year.
Our latest insights
03/12/2021
Online Customer Portals: enabling 24/7/365 Customer Engagement
Organisations can reduce the time taken responding to customer queries and improve customer satisfaction by offering an online customer portal.
22/11/2021
Top 5 solutions for managing peaks and troughs in demand.
Organisations can effectively and efficiently manage peaks and troughs in demand by investing in scalable, agile and flexible technology and digital solutions.
25/10/2021
Pandemic Recovery - The Next Big Milestone
On 16th March 2020 when Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that everyone should stop non- essential contact and travel, I don’t think many (myself included) ever expected the sequence of events that followed which would take us through the following 18 months to where we find ourselves today. “Social Distancing”, “Lockdowns”, “Facemasks”, “Bubbles” are just some of the words and phrases that have now become commonplace in everyday life, whilst spare bedrooms are now self-contained offices as our places of work.
Make a course enquiry
To book our courses or find out more, get in touch with our friendly team.