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- Tasks: Administer Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction claims while providing excellent customer service.
- Company: Join North Yorkshire Council, dedicated to supporting residents with welfare and benefits services.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 3-month contract with potential extension and gain valuable experience in local government.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by helping residents navigate complex benefits systems in a supportive team environment.
- Qualifications: GCSE in English & Maths required; experience in customer service and benefits assessment preferred.
- Other info: Opportunity to develop skills in legislation interpretation and data management.
We are working closely alongside a Local Authority in North Yorkshire to assist with the appointment of a Benefits Officer, on a 3-month contract, likely to be extended at clients discretion. Please apply with your CV for immediate consideration., The Benefits Officer will play a key role within North Yorkshire Councils Welfare & Benefits Service, which supports a wide range of residents across the county. The post holder will be responsible for the accurate and timely administration of Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, Discretionary Housing Payments, and Exceptional Hardship Awards, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements, case law, and local policies. Working as part of a dedicated team, the Benefits Officer will deliver excellent customer service by providing clear advice, guidance, and support to residents, colleagues, and external partners. The role requires high attention to detail, the ability to interpret complex legislation, and strong interpersonal skills to manage sensitive enquiries with professionalism and empathy.,
- Process and assess Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction claims (new and changes in circumstances) in line with legislation, case law, and council policy.
- Accurately handle complex claims such as self-employed, students, and persons from abroad.
- Act as first point of contact for enquiries by face-to-face, telephone, email, and written correspondence.
- Maintain accurate, secure, and confidential data and records.
- Contribute to achieving service performance targets and KPIs.
GCSE or equivalent in English & Maths (essential).
- IRRV Benefits/Revenues qualification (desirable).
- Experience working in a customer-focused environment, dealing directly with clients on a one-to-one basis.
- Recent experience of assessing Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction claims.
- Ability to deliver high levels of accuracy and efficiency in high-volume transactional work.
- Experience interpreting and applying legislation, financial, and technical information.
- Practical knowledge of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction regulations in England & Wales.
- Understanding of GDPR, Health & Safety, Equality & Diversity, and other relevant policies.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) for letters, reports, and data presentation.
Knowledge & Experience:
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Benefits Officer employer: Brackenberry Limited
Contact Detail:
Brackenberry Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Benefits Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific legislation and regulations surrounding Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction. This knowledge will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to understanding the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight any previous experience you have in customer service roles, especially those involving sensitive enquiries. Be prepared to share examples of how you've handled difficult situations with professionalism and empathy.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel, as you'll need to manage data and present reports. Consider creating a sample report or spreadsheet to showcase your proficiency during the interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Network with professionals in the welfare and benefits sector. Attend local events or join online forums to gain insights and potentially get referrals that could strengthen your application.
We think you need these skills to ace Benefits Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in benefits administration, customer service, and any specific qualifications like the IRRV Benefits/Revenues qualification. Use keywords from the job description to align your skills with what the Local Authority is looking for.
Showcase Relevant Experience: In your application, emphasise your recent experience assessing Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction claims. Provide examples of how you've handled complex claims and delivered excellent customer service in previous roles.
Highlight Attention to Detail: Since the role requires high attention to detail, include specific instances where your accuracy and efficiency made a difference in your previous work. This could be through meeting performance targets or successfully managing sensitive enquiries.
Express Your Interpersonal Skills: The Benefits Officer role involves interacting with residents and external partners. In your application, mention your strong interpersonal skills and provide examples of how you've managed sensitive situations with professionalism and empathy.
How to prepare for a job interview at Brackenberry Limited
✨Know Your Legislation
Familiarise yourself with the key legislation surrounding Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction. Be prepared to discuss how you have applied this knowledge in previous roles, as it will demonstrate your understanding of the complexities involved.
✨Showcase Your Customer Service Skills
Since the role involves direct interaction with residents, highlight your experience in customer service. Share specific examples of how you've handled sensitive enquiries with professionalism and empathy, as this is crucial for the position.
✨Demonstrate Attention to Detail
Prepare to discuss instances where your attention to detail has made a difference in your work. Given the nature of the role, being able to accurately process claims and maintain records is essential, so be ready to provide examples.
✨Be Proficient with Technology
Ensure you are comfortable discussing your proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel. You may be asked about how you use these tools to manage data and present reports, so having specific examples ready will help you stand out.
