Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Help residents access financial support through Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support applications.
- Company: Join Charnwood Council, a diverse and inclusive employer dedicated to community service.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, agile working, professional development, and free parking.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Self-motivated, organised, and empathetic individuals with attention to detail.
- Other info: Full training provided; no prior welfare benefits experience necessary.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
We are currently recruiting two Benefits Officers to join our Benefits Assessment Team.
The team deals with applications for Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support, and discretionary payments, gathering information and making decisions which ensure that customers get the financial support that they are entitled to. Day to day, you will be providing a high quality and customer-focused service to residents. This can be in writing, via electronic channels, via the telephone, or face to face. You will assess and process all types of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support claims and changes in circumstances, as well as assessing applications for discretionary payments.
The Person
We are looking for candidates who are self-motivated, organised, empathetic and committed to providing a fair and consistent service to all. The successful candidates will have excellent attention to detail, the ability to learn and interpret legislation, good questioning and analytical skills, and be comfortable working in a collaborative, fast-paced team environment. Knowledge and experience of welfare benefits would be an advantage but is not essential as full training will be provided.
The benefits of working with us:
- Agile working for many roles
- Generous annual leave of between 35.5 and 40.5 days of leave (depending on length of service), inclusive of bank holidays
- Most services are closed over Christmas
- Opportunities for professional development linked to many roles
- Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme
- Free parking
We are a Disability Confident Employer and proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant's Employer Recognition Gold Award. We prioritise the well-being and engagement of our employees through internal groups such as the Staff Forum, Health and Wellbeing Group and Equality Working Group. The Council strongly believes a diverse and inclusive workforce helps make our services better. We value the individual strengths of each colleague and the potential they bring.
Find out more about this role and who we are by visiting www.charnwood.gov.uk/jobs
About the Council
Charnwood is one of the largest shire district councils in the country based on population, serving around 183,000 people. We offer a range of services, with everything from refuse and recycling collections to the operation of a theatre and historic markets. Our services are built on our values: Pride in Charnwood; Customer Focused and Working Together.
About Charnwood
We are proud of our borough, and it is a great place to live, work, visit and invest in. Charnwood boasts breath-taking landscapes which are great to explore. At the heart of Charnwood is Loughborough, home to a world class university, historic markets, and the only major bell foundry in the UK. It is a diverse community thanks to its student population and cultures from around the world. Charnwood is located in the centre of the country with rail, road and air links to the rest of the nation and the world beyond. Our investment brand in Charnwood describes the borough as being at the centre of innovation. Our economy is increasingly diversifying, leveraging the incredible research that flows from the world class Loughborough University and our science and technology related industries. Charnwood also has a wide ranging portfolio of physical, cultural and social assets, with many of the levers of sustainable and inclusive growth at our disposal. There are a range of exciting developments and regeneration opportunities which will help create high-quality jobs and ensure continued economic prosperity.
No Agencies please.
Benefits Officer M557 in Loughborough employer: East Midlands Jobs
Contact Detail:
East Midlands Jobs Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Benefits Officer M557 in Loughborough
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Charnwood Council. Understand their values and services, and think about how you can contribute to their mission. This will help you stand out as someone who genuinely cares about the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Prepare for common interview questions related to benefits assessment and customer service. Think about examples from your past experiences that showcase your skills in empathy, organisation, and attention to detail. We want to see how you handle real-life scenarios!
✨Tip Number 3
Show your personality! During the interview, let your genuine self shine through. Being self-motivated and collaborative is key for this role, so share stories that highlight your teamwork and problem-solving abilities. Remember, they want to see if you’ll fit into their fast-paced environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team. Don’t forget to follow up after your interview with a thank-you note – it’s a nice touch that can leave a lasting impression!
We think you need these skills to ace Benefits Officer M557 in Loughborough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the Benefits Officer role. We want to see how you can bring your unique strengths to our team!
Showcase Your Customer Focus: Since this role is all about providing a high-quality, customer-focused service, share examples of how you've successfully helped customers in the past. We love hearing about your empathy and commitment to fairness!
Attention to Detail is Key: As a Benefits Officer, you'll be dealing with important financial information. Make sure your application is free from errors and clearly structured. We appreciate candidates who take the time to get it right!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of success. It’s the easiest way for us to review your application and get to know you better!
How to prepare for a job interview at East Midlands Jobs
✨Know Your Benefits Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support. Familiarise yourself with the application processes and any recent changes in legislation. This will show that you're proactive and genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Empathy
As a Benefits Officer, you'll be dealing with residents who may be in difficult situations. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've demonstrated empathy and provided excellent customer service. This will highlight your ability to connect with people and understand their needs.
✨Practice Your Analytical Skills
Since the role requires good questioning and analytical skills, consider preparing for situational questions. Think about how you would assess claims or handle discrepancies. Practising these scenarios can help you articulate your thought process during the interview.
✨Be Ready to Collaborate
The job involves working in a fast-paced team environment, so be prepared to discuss your teamwork experiences. Share specific instances where you've successfully collaborated with others to achieve a common goal, as this will demonstrate your ability to work well within a team.