Benefit Assessment Officer

Services are seeking  a Benefit Assessment Officer to work for our client based in Northampton. The role is hybrid working with 2 – 3 days in the office.

Purpose of the role:

To administer Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction new claims and change in circumstances efficiently and promptly to minimise fraud and overpayments and to maximise subsidy income to the Council, in accordance with government legislation, and corporate priorities.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Interpret and keep up to date on complex legislation for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction applications, including changes in circumstances.
• Make necessary decisions and compile information to accurately calculate entitlement within required timescales.
• Handle specialized cases, such as self-employed, students, and persons from abroad.
• Ensure entitlement notifications are issued correctly and are legally compliant.
• Receive and action correspondence regarding Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction from customers, landlords, Rent Service, DWP, and other stakeholders.
• Respond to requests for further information, statements of reasons, reconsiderations, and requests for backdated benefits.
• Provide a high-quality, customer-focused service, offering advice on Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, Universal Credit, and Welfare Benefits.
• Offer advice through face-to-face interviews, telephone, electronic channels, and home visits as required.
• Communicate and liaise with landlords, Debt and Welfare Benefit teams, Housing, Revenues, Rent Service, DWP (including Universal Credit Service Centre), and other stakeholders to ensure entitlement accuracy and support vulnerable clients.
• Maximize income and ensure overpayments are correctly identified and categorized in accordance with legislation.
• Maximize subsidy income to the Council through accurate overpayment categorization.
• Prioritize and manage workloads to meet objectives, targets, and customer needs.
• Identify potential fraudulent cases, refer to Corporate Fraud team, and provide evidence and information as needed.
• Accurately maintain Council Tax records when changes occur through Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Reduction applications.
• Ensure systems are aligned with changes to Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction applications.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE:

• Experience of assessing claims for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction and knowledge of welfare benefits.
• Experience in MRI/Academy.
• Demonstrate ability to understand, interpret, and explain complicated government legislation.
• Ability to keep up to date with frequent legislative and procedural changes.
• Experience of assessing claims for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction.
• Knowledge of welfare benefits.
• Demonstrable knowledge and experience of Capita or Northgate Revenues and Benefits systems.
• Experience of working with IT systems, including Microsoft products and document imaging/workflow systems.
• Basic DBS check

Recruitment is done in line with safe recruitment practices. 4Recruitment Services is an equal opportunities employer.

To discuss this vacancy in further detail or any other vacancies, please contact our Team on 0800 988 6307 or email  gpadmin@4recruitmentservices.com