The Work Capability Assessment, Part 1 course outline:

3 hours on Day 1, including registration, course presentation & practice, break and time for questions

  • Overview & eligibility
  • BREAK
  • The assessment process

Aims
This part of the course looks at the differences between ‘New Style’ Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), ‘Old Style’ Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Universal Credit (UC) as well as the relationships between them. After the break, this part of the course goes on to teach the assessment process used in both Universal Credit and Employment and Support Allowance. It enables participants to help claimants fill out the UC/ESA assessment form effectively.

Objectives
By the end of Part 1, participants will:

  • Know who can claim ESA and/or UC because they are currently unable to work.
  • Understand how benefit is paid pending the Work Capability Assessment.
  • Understand the criteria for limited capability for work and limited capability for work related activity.
  • Be able to help claimants fill out the UC50/ESA50 form effectively; on behalf of a claimant.

The Work capability Assessment, Part 2 course outline:

3 hours on Day 2, including registration, course presentation, break and time for questions

  • The medical assessment and DWP decision
  • BREAK
  • The mandatory reconsideration letter

Aims
This part of the course looks at how to prepare a claimant for the medical assessment and what to do in cases where the claimant is unhappy with the DWP decision. This part of the course goes on to teach participants how to write an effective mandatory reconsideration (MR) request letter following a Work Capability Assessment decision.

Objectives
By the end of Part 2, participants will:

  • Be able to help claimants who have difficulty attending the medical.
  • Have an awareness of the questions that are likely to be asked at the medical assessment.
  • Understand the mandatory reconsideration and appeals process and how to help claimants who are without other income.
  • Know how to check for inconsistencies in the evidence used by the DWP to make the decision.
  • Know when and how to request further medical evidence in support of a claimant.
  • Have examined an example of a well written MR letter to consider best practice.

Methods of delivery
This course is delivered online live with a BTC trainer. It is a practical course delivered using a combination of trainer presentation, exercises and case studies, group discussion and games. Participants will be provided with e-learning supporting material including PowerPoint slide handouts, a comprehensive training pack pdf and additional resources. There is a 20-30 minute break halfway through each part of the course.

Intended audience
This course is for participants working with working age people who are affected by a health condition or a disability. No previous experience is required although a working knowledge of the wider benefits system is helpful.

Certificates & post course support
Participants will receive an e-certificate for completing both Parts 1&2 (6 hours) of any complete BTC course. This also guarantees eligibility to access our free 12 months post-course advice service (including priority entry to free webinars).

Course instructions
This online course is run over Zoom. In the week before the course, you will receive an email with Zoom link(s) and access the supporting materials. You will need to download (or print) the pack (and slides, if you wish) before each part of the course, unless you have selected a printed pack when booking.

Participants will need a good wifi connection and a suitable computer/laptop to access both the Zoom session and the pack throughout. You may wish to use a separate device for the pack (or split your screen) if you cannot or do not wish to print. We recommend participants log in a few minutes beforehand. You may also wish to have a pen and paper handy to make notes.