The focus of this award is on a mix of independent as well as directed study, but with opportunities to undertake a range of collaborative work with other participants on line - for example in preparing advice-related, and transactional tasks.

Contact Hours (50) on this module means on-screen hours engaging with the on screen study materials in the course documents, course information sections of the module.

Independent Study (100) means your on-line and off-line activity, including work in the course documents, course information, and discussion forums and assignments sections of the module. It also includes, further relevant background and developmental reading and research. Preparation and engagement with the discussion forums, self-assessment exercises and tasks, together with assessment preparation and completion.

The VLE Blackboard will provide a structured framework for the delivery of this module.

Course Information. This section provides students with important module overview information for students.

Course Documents. This contains all the study materials separated into sections, each section being further broken down to contain the module materials and exercises.

Discussion Board: Students through regular engagement in the forums within the discussion board will facilitate interactive, asynchronous discussion on the exercises/tasks, which support and develop through critical analysis, student learning and allow for formative assessment of individual progress.
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In some sections there may be no formal assessment of work undertaken, but there will be 'questions' for consideration, or other tasks to complete. Feedback will be provided.

Participants are encouraged to communicate with the tutor and fellow students using e-mail or the discussion forum and to do so if there are matters needing assistance or support.

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 (whether formally assessed or not) are completed within specified time limits and discussion with other participants may need to be undertaken within specified time frames.

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.

This module is for students who have a good understanding of the social security and tax credits system. It concentrates on the more difficult and controversial areas of tax credit and social security law. In particular where problems of interpreting the law and of bad practice frequently occur. It will focus on the administration of the tax and social security systems and will cover in detail the following areas:
1) How to make effective claims for tax credits and benefits - in particular when it is possible to claim backdated payments.
2) The Benefits I module provided an overview of the review and appeal process, this level two module will build upon the knowledge and skills acquired in level and will cover these procedures in more depth - in particularly focussing upon the use of case law to challenge decisions. In addition it will focus on how to take an appeal beyond an appeal tribunal to the social security commissioners
3) The overpayments and recovery of benefit - it will examine situations when overpayments may and may not be recovered and what procedures the Department of Work and Pensions and local authorities should follow to recover payment
4) Some of the issues for people in 'special circumstances'.
A basic knowledge of the tax credit and benefits system is assumed.

1. Students are required to write 3 short 200 word essays on a range of related topics (25%) LO1
and
2. A case study assignment 2000 words (75%) LOs 2, 3, 4
or
3. A portfolio of students own work 2000 words (75%) LOs 2, 3, 4

Formative Assessment - Tutor feedback will be provided via the online seminar discussion forums and also during the module via email and telephone responses to tasks and exercises.

The student must achieve an aggregate score of at least 40% overall when part one and two are added together, in order to pass the module.

- CPAG (revised annually) Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook. London: CPAG ISBN 1 901698 750

- Social Security Legislation, published by Sweet & Maxwell (revised annually)
Volume I : ISBN 0 421 88860 1
Volume II: ISBN 0 421 88880 6
Volume III: ISBN 0 421 88900 4
Volumn lV: ISBN 0 421 88920 9

Nil

- Access to a PC (with use of CD ROMS) is necessary

- Access to the Internet

- Access to hard-copy formats of texts, materials, and other guidance, such as government information, Explanatory Notes to legislation, etc