No images? Click here Inform & Advise IntroductionHi all, Welcome to the November 2021 edition of the Inform and Advise newsletter for local Age UKs/Cymrus. We have the usual wide range of articles, including news about the update of our E-learning content which make this training easier to access and manage, and about the improvement of I&A content on the loop, making it easier to navigate and find what you need. John Edwards, Head of I&A Strategy If you have any questions about this bulletin, please contact Age UK on adviceunit@ageuk.org.uk Please note: some items in the Briefings are not relevant for partners in Wales; these are marked up in the Briefings. In this issue
Rising gas and electricity bills – energy webinarOlder people (as well as everyone else) will be adversely affected by the current crisis in the energy sector. With the increase in the energy price cap, people are facing average increases in their annual gas and electric bills of £139. This could lead to older people cutting back on their heating, which we know is dangerous as older people are more vulnerable to the impacts of living in a cold home during the winter months. In order to give I&A workers the most up to date and relevant information about these issues, we have added an energy webinar to our Autumn I&A training series. This will be delivered by trade association Energy UK and cover the support available for customers who may be struggling to pay their bills this winter. Topics covered will include:
The session will run over Zoom on Thursday 2 December 2021, 10.00am to 11.00am. To sign up, click the link here. There is information on the I&A pages of the Age UK website about the changes to energy prices and the options available to older people - https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/debt-savings/energy/changes-to-energy-prices/ David Southgate from the Age UK Policy Team has written an article about the causes of the current energy crisis, and the Government’s options for supporting older people to stay warm and well this winter. Here is the link - https://www.ageuk.org.uk/discover/2021/september/explaining-the-energy-crisis-and-what-can-be-done-about-it/ Pension delays – now sorted?Across the country, older people who are claiming their State Pension for the first time have been facing long delays in getting their entitlements, as the DWP has failed to process their state pension. Claimants have faced delays of several months, in many cases leaving those affected in dire financial straits. In the October edition of Inform & Advise the ‘Interesting email’ covered a case of such a delay, and there was an article in the Guardian about the issue - https://www.theguardian.com/money/2021/oct/16/uk-state-pension-payment-delays-age-uk-dwp This month’s benefits briefing from Liam Bradford includes an update from the DWP, who say that the problems have been overcome and that people should not have undue delays on claiming their state pension. We hope this is the case – but do let us know (via the SPEC Form) of any remaining issues so we can highlight them to the DWP. Pension Credit take-up workAge UK, Independent Age and other organisations are members of a DWP working group looking at different ways to increase the take up Pension Credit. In some areas Local Authorities have used Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction data to identify older people who are likely to be missing out on Pension Credit and encourage them to claim. I would be interested to know if your Local Authority has done any work like this, or if you know of any other projects or approaches that have been used in your area to identify and target people missing out on Pension Credit or other benefits. Please contact sally.west@ageuk.org.uk Sally West, Policy Manager Improvements to the discoverability of I&A content on the loopWe’ve been undertaking some further work with the I&A Hub on the loop to hopefully make it easier to find content. Firstly we’ve added a ‘What’s new or been updated’ section to the home page of the hub. Here you’ll find listed new content such as the recently added ‘Charitylog – user guide’. However, content which is constantly being updated – such as the subject briefings on benefits, housing & energy and health & social care – will not be included in this ‘What’s new or been updated’ section. We’ve also added ‘search the I&A Hub’ functionality. This is located on the left of the home page of the hub, below the navigation box that lists all of the sections in the hub with folder icons. This will very quickly help you to find documents related to the word or term that you input. It works the same as the search function on the home page of the loop but as it is only searching the I&A content the results are returned instantaneously and you are much more likely to see the document or page you are looking for at the top of the list. So, if you are looking for something relating to information and advice avoid the search option on the home page and instead select ‘Information & Advice’ from the ‘Services’ drop-down list, which can be found in the banner at the top of the home page and then use the search functionality on the I&A Hub home page. Changes to how the Development Adviser Team will support the networkFrom December 2021 we will be changing the way that the Development Adviser team supports local partners. Instead of partners being allocated to a specific Development Adviser based upon geography we will be dealing with support requests via a shared email inbox and the work will be allocated out to a Development Adviser based on either the expertise required or the workloads within the team. From the 1st of December we will be asking partners to contact us, for new enquiries, via a shared email inbox (development.advisers@ageuk.org.uk). We will respond within two working days to confirm which Development Adviser will be supporting you. The Development Adviser will then contact you from their own email address and ongoing support on the matter will be the responsibility of that Development Adviser. Update on the I&A small group discussionsFollowing the great response from the network to the proposed small group discussions, this is an update to let you know where we are with this. In December we will organise discussion groups for “managing demand in your I&A service and “Managing services remotely”. We will be sending you the dates for these sessions in November. In the New Year we will set some dates for the remaining group discussion topics and will be in touch with those of you who expressed an interest in taking part as soon as possible. If you have any questions please contact Janice.davis@ageuk.org.uk Age UK E-learning UpgradeThe Age UK E-learning site, which Age UK National use to share training with the network (e.g. First Five Minutes, I&A induction, Dementia e-learning) has been upgraded. As part of the upgrade to the site a number of new features are available. These features include:
After a successful pilot with a small group of partners, the new platform with the new features will made available to all partners, with a roll out done on a region by region basis starting in November 2021. Please look out for an email from Chloë Longmore with further details on this. Currently, content on the Age UK E-learning site is mainly I&A related training with the exception of the Dementia e-learning course. We are planning to expand the range of training available as we move forward. As part of the upgrade, the way that new users register on the site is changing – instead of emailing to request an account, new users will just need to complete a registration form for an account to be created. The form is here If you have any questions or comments please contact Chloë at chloe.longmore@ageuk.org.uk Reminder – Dementia Awareness e-learning availableThis is just a reminder that we have three dementia e-learning modules available for you and your teams:
The Age UK network supports older people living with dementia, as well as their families and carers, on a daily basis. Whether you work directly with those living with dementia or not, we hope this eLearning will equip all Age UK staff and volunteers with the skills and confidence to communicate with people with dementia, face to face and virtually. Who can complete the Dementia e-Learning? All modules are open to everyone, all staff, and volunteers. Every learner will receive a certificate upon completion. How were these modules developed? These new modules were developed by Alzheimer’s Society. When should I complete the modules? The Age UK network will have access to them for 1 year, so best to complete them sooner rather than later! Please note, it may take up to one hour for the course to be marked completed and for you to receive the certificate in your inbox. We thank you in advance for your patience. How long is each module? Each module takes approximately 45 minutes to complete. Once you start, you can save any progress and come back to it. How do I access these modules? If you already have an e-Learning account this course will automatically appear under the “learning” section of your dashboard in the eLearning site. You can access it straight away and no action is needed. If you need to sign up, please complete the form here. Please note that registration to the e-learning site may take a few days. You will receive an email with your log in information once you have been registered. What do I do once I am logged in? If you cannot see the modules on your dashboard when you log in, you can find it either by: Clicking onto ‘courses’ and then ‘Dementia e-Learning’; or Using the search bar on your home page by typing in ‘Age UK Dementia E-learning Programme’. If you have any questions on access to the e-learning site, please contact adviceunit@ageuk.org.uk Supporting victims of sexual abuseA new government campaign launched earlier this year is raising awareness of support available for victims and survivors of sexual violence and abuse and aims to help them take the first step in accessing support. The central message is that no matter when the abuse happened, whether it was over 30 years ago or last month, it still matters, it is not your fault, you can still get support and you are not alone. The campaign website is a great resource to direct service users to whether they’ve experienced something themselves, or are looking to support a friend or family member. It brings together a range of specialist organisations, at a national and local level, who understand and can offer confidential support. The campaign website also features survivors’ first-hand experiences, which are useful reading for those who are nervous about reaching out. No one should face this alone. Find out more here We know that many of you also have local social media channels and may wish to use these to raise awareness of the campaign. Please get in touch with charlotte.corsan@justice.gov.uk who can provide images and videos. Please use the campaign hashtag: #ItStillMatters Winter Packs and guidesWinter packs are being sent out this week to all local partners, containing 250 copies of our Winter Wrapped Up guide and other supporting winter materials. The virtual winter campaign packs – containing press releases and toolkits for flu sessions, etc. – have already been sent out. The following guides have also been updated and are now available to order: - Save energy, pay less - Wills and estate planning - Your mind matters - Staying safe Please remember to order new stock of guides and let any third parties you think would benefit know that they can order then too. You can order any of these guides through the normal email address at orders@ageuk.co.uk, and If you have any questions about these updates or upcoming guides, please email tim.sheaff@ageuk.org.uk Benefits, Housing and Health & Care BriefingsThis month’s Benefits briefing, produced by Liam Bradford, Technical Advice Support Officer – Money and Benefits Includes information about announcements from the Autumn Budget and Spending Review 2021, DWP information regarding recent administrative delays and the extension of ESA Covid easements. Also, reducing the taper rate and increasing the work allowance for Universal Credit. This month’s Housing briefing, produced by Lottie Beauchamp, Technical Advice Support Officer – Housing, Includes information about the Government announcing a £65 million support package for vulnerable renters, available from local authorities through the winter months and new sections of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 come into force, with local authorities required to grant lifetime secure tenancies to existing social tenants who are being housed or rehoused for reasons connected with domestic abuse. This month’s Health and Care briefing, produced by David Broome, Technical Advice Support Officer – Social Care, and Rachel Freeman, Technical Advice Support Officer – Health & End of Life Includes information about the annual Adult Social Care Complaints Report published by Ombudsman and social care spending in the Autumn Budget and Spending Review and sector reaction. Also, information on hospital discharge funding, World Mental Health Day, and personalised action plans and additional funding for General Practices to meet winter demands Note: the Covid – Housing & Energy briefing was updated in October 2021. Factsheet updateThe following factsheets have had an annual review for November 2021: FS2 Buying retirement housing FS24 Personal budgets and direct payments in social care FS37 Hospital discharge FS41 How to get care and support FS64 Specialist housing for older people The following factsheet has been amended for November 2021: FS68 Preventing evictions The above factsheets are now available to download from the Age UK website. The Large Print versions of all factsheets are also available to download from the Age UK website here https://www.ageuk.org.uk/services/information-advice/guides-and-factsheets/age-uk-large-print-factsheets/ Interesting Email of the monthCan my client claim Housing Benefit after being stuck abroad due to pandemic? Enquiry - Our client’s Housing Benefit (HB) award stopped as he was abroad from February 2020 to August 2021 due to the pandemic. He was abroad because a family member was terminally ill and passed away. During this time, the father also contracted Covid. He was in India – a red list country. His son checked his post and the HB department sent a letter in June advising his HB had stopped. The son contacted HB and advised them his father was still abroad. He is also in receipt of Pension Credit (PC) and they notified PC that he was abroad. The PC has been paid continuously. The HB department say they didn’t receive the information which is why they closed the HB award. He has made a new HB claim and asked for back-dating. I tried to check for any changes to the being abroad rules during the pandemic. Response - The basic rules about temporary absence from home for HB are set out in factsheet 17 Housing Benefit where section 6.4 states: To keep getting HB when you are temporarily away, you must:
Depending on why you are away from home, you can continue to get HB for periods between four and 52 weeks. You must expect to return within the time limit. HB stops as soon as you go away, if you know you are going away for longer than the rules allow. You do not have to tell the local authority every time you are away from home for short periods. You must tell the local authority if you know your stay away will be longer than the rules allow. If you do not tell them, you may be overpaid HB and have to pay money back. Absence abroad If you go abroad, you usually only get HB for up to four weeks. Going abroad is anywhere outside Great Britain. Staying in Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man counts as going abroad. In certain circumstances you can get HB when you are abroad for a longer period, for example up to:
These rules are detailed in the HB/CT manual – A3 - Liability to make payments and occupying the home from paragraph 3.450. There is another provision at paragraph 3.532: 3.532 A person whose absence that is ‘unlikely to substantially exceed 52 weeks* also qualifies. This may be considered only in exceptional circumstances. It should not be interpreted as the normal rule for all or any particular groups of claimant. *Unlikely to substantially exceed 52 weeks’ should be interpreted as a total absence of up to about 15 months. 3.533 Although the absence may be longer than 52 weeks, benefit may only be paid for a maximum of 52 weeks while the claimant is absent. 3.534 Take account of all the circumstances before deciding whether to allow benefit for an absence that is likely to last longer than 52 weeks and consider each case on its facts. For example, an absence of more than 52 weeks may be considered temporary when a claimant has been prevented from returning home by an unanticipated event, or their discharge from hospital has been delayed by a relapse. In addition to this, the DWP issued the following guidance to local authorities concerning temporary absences abroad specifically for HB: 2. Temporary absence from home outside Great Britain 1. We are aware that there are claimants who travelled outside Great Britain (GB), expecting to return within their allowable period of absence under the Housing Benefit regulations, but have been prevented from returning due to travel restrictions outside GB. Easements are now in place which allow people to remain entitled to HB where they have been temporarily prevented from returning to GB due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. 2. Regulation 7 of the Housing Benefit Regulations 2006 (SI 2006/213) and the Housing Benefit (persons who have attained the qualifying age for state pension credit) regulations 2006 (SI 2006/214) has not been amended. Therefore, the usual rules on not subletting and having an intention to return still continue to apply to any period of temporary absence. I suggest he challenges the decisions to terminate his HB award based on the DWP guidance. There is no guarantee they will change their decision as these provisions are discretionary but considering the reasons why your client could not return home during this time, he has a strong argument that entitlement should have continued, despite the local authority saying they did not receive such information in time. Such challenges to the local authority should usually be sent within one month of the decision although late requests can be made if your client provides information about the difficulty he had returning to the country. If the local authority refuse to consider this request or do not change their decision, your client can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal for HB. More information about the process for doing so and what to include can be found in those links.
Control what you get from Age UK communicationsSign up: You can subscribe to newsletters for local Age UKs using our online sign-up. Control what you receive: You can update your existing subscription and details online. Unsubscribe: To unsubscribe, please email signpost@ageuk.org.uk. If you click the unsubscribe link in the footer you'll unsubscribe from all Age UK newsletters. |