? Computer with Internet access and a CD Rom drive
? Key texts.

The focus of this award is on a mix of independent as well as directed study. There is an opportunity to undertake a range of collaborative work with other participants on-line.

Contact Hours (30) on this module this means your on-screen hours engaging with the online study materials contained within the `Course Information?, `Course Documents? `Communication? and `Assignments? sections of the module virtual learning environment (VLE).

Independent Study (120) means on-line and off-line activity including working on tasks/exercises/activities and within the discussion forums, relevant background/supplementary reading, and assessment preparation and completion.

This module will be delivered by the use of a VLE `Blackboard?.

The VLE `Blackboard? will provide a structured environment for progressing through this module. The `Course Information? section contains essential module information, the award handbook, the module descriptor and a section, which contains the aims and objectives of the module. The `Course Documents? section contains all the study material necessary to complete the module, together with activities associated with this material. Within the `Communications? section there are a number of forums, which will enable interactive, asynchronous discussion, which supports student learning and allows for formative assessment of individual progress.

Participants are encouraged to to communicate with the tutor and their fellow students using email, telephone, the discussion forums and the bulletin board in the gateway and to do so if there are matters needing assistance and support.

Web-based material will be utilised to support all aspects of the module, providing links to latest Government information and latest case law and legislation.

As this is a distance learning award, participants will need to adopt a disciplined approach to study and work for example by ensuring that activities, tasks and assignments are completed within specified time limits and that discussion with others takes place.

This module will be assessed by the successful completion of a case study based assignment of 2,500 words, this will represent 100% of the
module assessment and will meet learning outcomes 1-5.

INDICATIVE CONTENT
This module aims to provide students with a basic knowledge and understanding of the underlying concepts and principles of the welfare benefits system, together with the necessary skills to give basic advice to people about their benefit entitlement.

Topics to be covered, in line with CLS Quality Mark Standard for Generalist Help include:-

? An introduction to the Social Security System
? Means Tested Benefits e.g. Income Support; Income Based Jobseekers Allowance;
Housing Benefits; Council Tax Benefits; The Tax Credits; Social Fund
? Non-means tested benefits Contributory e.g. Incapacity Benefit; Contributory Jobseekers
Allowance
? Non means tested Non contributory e.g. Disability Living Allowance; Attendance
Allowance; Invalid Care Allowance: Severe Disablement
Allowance; Child Benefit
? Other Benefits Maternity Allowance: Statutory Maternity Pay; Statutory
Sick Pay; Industrial Disablement Benefits; Widows Payments;
State Retirement Pension
? Problem solving e.g. income maximisation strategies; how to challenge
decisions

Nil

You will need access to at least one of the following texts:

? CPAG (revised annually) Welfare Benefits Handbook. London CPAG
? Disability Rights Handbook(revised annually), Disability Alliance
? Puttick K, 2003 (or latest) Welfare Benefits Law and Practice, EMIS Professional Publishing Ltd