Benefits elearning

Learn about housing benefit rules, universal credit housing costs and more with free elearning courses from Shelter.

Online benefits training available now

Get an introduction to the basics or develop your understanding of the tricky bits.

Each course takes between 10-60 minutes to complete, so you can learn at a pace that suits you.

Who can access Shelter elearning?

You can access most of our elearning for free if you work for an eligible organisation.

Thank you to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities for funding these courses. Find out how our work is funded.

If you don't qualify, you can still access our paid courses.

Find out if you qualify for free training

Entry (Level 1)

You don't need any prior knowledge for these courses.

Online elearning and webinars, available free to eligible organisations only.

Funded by the UK Government's Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Can a student claim housing costs?

Learn when a full time student can claim benefits to help with their rent.

What this session covers

This recorded session covers when a full time student can claim housing costs.

Who this session is for

You might be new to your role or new to this topic. This session doesn't require any prior knowledge.

Maybe you work for a local authority or as a housing or generalist adviser. This session is also suitable if you don't specialise in housing but need to know the basics for your role.

Length: 15 minutes

Level: Entry (Level 1)

Topic: Benefits

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Tenant under occupancy

Get an overview of under occupation rules for housing benefit, also known as the bedroom tax.

What this session covers

This recorded session includes:

what is tenant under occupancy
who do the under occupancy rules apply to
who is exempt from the under occupancy rules
solutions for people classed as under occupying

Who this session is for

You might be new to your role or new to this topic. This session doesn't require any prior knowledge.

Maybe you work for a local authority or as a housing or generalist adviser. This session is also suitable if you don't specialise in housing but need to know the basics for your role.

Length: 30 minutes

Level: Entry (Level 1)

Topic: Benefits

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Local housing allowance

Get an overview of the local housing allowance (LHA) scheme.

What this session covers

This recorded session includes:

what the local housing allowance (LHA) scheme is
how LHA is calculated
how LHA is paid
who is exempt from the LHA scheme

Who this session is for

You might be new to your role or new to this topic. This session doesn't require any prior knowledge. You might work as an adviser, or for a local authority or social landlord.

Length: 30 minutes

Level: Entry (Level 1)

Topic: Benefits

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Discretionary housing payments

Get an overview of the discretionary housing payments (DHP) scheme.

What this session covers

This recorded session includes:

what a discretionary housing payment (DHP) is
who is eligible for a DHP
what a DHP can cover

Who this session is for

You might be new to your role or new to this topic. This session doesn't require any prior knowledge. You might work as an adviser, or for a local authority or social landlord.

Length: 20 minutes

Level: Entry (Level 1)

Topic: Benefits

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Fundamental (Level 2)

You'll need some prior knowledge for these courses.

Online elearning and webinars, available free to eligible organisations only.

Funded by the UK Government's Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Can someone claim housing costs after leaving the former jointly owned family home?

Learn if and when someone can claim housing costs after leaving a home they jointly owned with an former partner or spouse.

What this session covers

This recorded session includes:

how universal credit and housing benefit rules apply to jointly owned property
how universal credit and housing benefit rules apply to capital in a former family home
whether someone can claim housing costs after moving out

Who this session is for

You're in a role where you advise people on housing and benefits issues, or where you encounter enquiries about this topic.

You might work in housing options for a local authority, or be a housing caseworker for a voluntary agency.

Length: 20 minutes

Level: Fundamental (Level 2)

Topic: Benefits

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Should someone claim universal credit housing costs element or housing benefit?

Learn when someone should claim universal credit or housing benefit for help with their housing costs.

What this session covers

This recorded session includes:

whether a person should make a claim for housing costs under universal credit or housing benefit
when a person cannot claim housing benefit
when a person cannot claim universal credit

Who this session is for

You're in a role where you advise people on housing and benefits issues, or where you encounter enquiries about this topic.

You might work in housing options for a local authority, or be a housing caseworker for a voluntary agency.

Length: 15 minutes

Level: Fundamental (Level 2)

Topic: Benefits

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Who is considered a non-dependent when it comes to deductions for housing costs?

Who is considered a non-dependant when it comes to deductions for housing costs?

Learn who is a non-dependant under universal credit and housing benefit rules, and what this means for the claim.

What this session covers

This recorded session includes:

who is classed as a non-dependant under universal credit and housing benefit
what housing cost contribution means and why this matters

Who this session is for

You're in a role where you advise people on housing and benefits issues, or where you encounter enquiries about this topic.

You might work in housing options for a local authority, or be a housing caseworker for a voluntary agency.

Length: 20 minutes

Level: Fundamental (Level 2)

Topic: Benefits

Join now

Continuing Professional Development

Gain points towards your professional development from the CPD Certification Service with Shelter training and events.