Senior Benefits Assessor in Dudley

Senior Benefits Assessor

Employer: Dudley Council

Location: Agile Working (Dudley Town Centre/Home)

Employment type: Full Time / Permanent

Salary: Grade 7 (£31,537 – £34,434)

Role Summary

We’re looking for a highly motivated and compassionate Senior Benefits Assessor to join our team and play a key role in delivering a high-quality Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction service to our residents. As a Senior Benefits Assessor, you will use your extensive knowledge of Benefit legislation to assess complex cases accurately and efficiently, authorise discretionary awards, and support colleagues through guidance and training. You will help ensure that residents receive the financial support they are entitled to, while protecting public funds and maintaining the highest standards of integrity and customer care.

Key Responsibilities

• Assess and process complex Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction claims, applying legislation and local policy with accuracy and efficiency.
• Authorise and recommend Discretionary Awards, ensuring fairness, consistency, and compliance with policy.
• Provide training, guidance, and mentoring to colleagues to promote learning, consistency, and professional development across the team.
• Analyse complex situations, identify appropriate actions, and make informed, evidence-based decisions.
• Respond professionally and empathetically to customer, partner, and stakeholder enquiries by phone, in writing, and via email.
• Work both independently and collaboratively, managing your workload effectively while supporting team objectives.
• Contribute to service improvements, helping to identify and implement ways to enhance efficiency and customer experience.
• Support financially vulnerable residents, ensuring that fraud and error are minimised and that public funds are maximised to help those in genuine need.
• Act as a supportive and approachable colleague, fostering a positive and collaborative team culture.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Proven experience in assessing complex Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction cases.
• A minimum of 3 years Benefits Assessing experience.
• Strong understanding of benefit legislation, policy, and local procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to analyse financial and personal information to make accurate, fair, and timely decisions.
• Excellent communication skills — able to explain complex information clearly and sensitively to a range of audiences.
• Experience in training, mentoring, or supporting colleagues in a similar environment.
• Highly organised with the ability to prioritise and manage a varied workload.
• Commitment to providing outstanding customer service and maintaining high professional standards.
• Experience of calculating and approving Discretionary Housing Payments and Discretionary Council Tax Payments.
• Understanding of Self‑Employed Housing Benefits and Council Tax Reduction cases.
• Working knowledge of how Universal Credit is applied to a local Council Tax Benefit/Reduction Scheme.
• Working knowledge of the overpayments process and ensuring the most efficient recovery method is applied.

Technical Requirements

• Proven experience with the following systems is essential: NEC Revenues and Benefits, NEC Document Management System, Microsoft Office applications.

Application Information

Apply today and help us make a real difference for residents who rely on our support.

Workplace attendance: Working in the office 3+ days a week (pro‑rata) or onsite full‑time.

For more information on diversity and inclusion, our anonymisation process, and application support, please visit our website or contact the HR Resourcing Team.