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- Tasks: Help residents access vital financial support and manage council tax effectively.
- Company: Join Hastings Borough Council, a supportive team making a real community impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, a pension scheme, and training opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a difference in people's lives while developing your skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in assessing benefits and excellent communication skills required.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a fulfilling role.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Hastings Borough Council is seeking a detail-oriented and customer-focused Revenues & Benefits Officer to join our Revenues & Benefits team. In this role, you will play a vital part in ensuring residents who live in temporary accommodation receive the financial support they are entitled to, including Housing Benefits, Council Tax Support, and Discretionary Housing Payments.
You will carry out timely and accurate assessments of Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction and Discretionary Housing Payment claims in accordance with legislation as well as the council’s local scheme, policies, and procedures, ensuring all service performance targets are met. You will administer the billing and recovery of Council Tax, working to achieve desired collection rates and targets. Additionally, you will serve as the main point of contact for the Housing Options team responding to queries relating to placements, benefit entitlements, and the prevention of homelessness.
This role involves providing clear advice to customers, collaborating with colleagues and external agencies, and delivering a high-quality service that complies with legislation and council policies.
Key Responsibilities- Assess and process Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, and Discretionary Housing Payment claims and changes in respect of residents living in temporary accommodation in line with regulations and best practice.
- Administer the billing and recoveries of Council Tax in line with the Council Tax Reduction Scheme, the Council Tax Regulations and all associated policies and procedures, ensuring that collection rates and targets are successfully achieved.
- Be the main point of contact for the Housing Options team and respond to queries relating to temporary accommodation placements and the prevention of homelessness.
- Liaise with claimants, landlords, and other stakeholders to verify claim information and resolve queries.
- Provide clear advice and guidance to residents on benefit entitlements, council tax liabilities, and billing.
- Verify income and circumstances using DWP and HMRC systems, ensuring compliance with data protection.
- Manage changes promptly to maintain correct benefit levels and minimise overpayments.
- Handle appeals, disputes, and revisions in accordance with legislation and council procedures.
- Maintain accurate records and ensure compliance with data protection regulations.
- Assist in identifying and preventing fraudulent claims and refer potential fraud cases to the DWP Single Fraud Investigation Service.
- Keep up to date with changes in benefit and council tax legislation as well as the council’s own policies and procedures.
- Adhere to the principles of the Data Protection Act and UK General Data Protection Regulations to ensure citizen data is kept secure and not shared or disclosed unlawfully.
We’re looking for someone who has:
- Experience assessing Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, and Discretionary Housing Payment claims.
- Strong knowledge of Housing Benefit and Council Tax legislation.
- Excellent communication and customer service skills, with the ability to explain complex information clearly.
- High levels of numeracy, accuracy, and attention to detail.
- Competency in IT systems and case management software (experience with NEC Revenue and Benefits and Information@Work systems is desirable).
- The ability to work under pressure, manage a busy workload, and meet deadlines.
IRRV qualification or equivalent.
Why Join Us?At Hastings Borough Council, you’ll be part of a supportive team committed to making a real difference in the community. We offer benefits such as flexible working, pension scheme, training opportunities.
Apply online today: www.hastings.gov.uk/jobopportunities
Revenues and Benefits Generic Officer (Housing) in St Leonards employer: Hastings Borough Council
Contact Detail:
Hastings Borough Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Revenues and Benefits Generic Officer (Housing) in St Leonards
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Hastings Borough Council. Understand their values and how they support the community. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions related to the Revenues & Benefits role. Think about your past experiences and how they relate to the job description. We want you to feel confident and ready to impress!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your customer service skills! Since this role involves helping residents with their benefits, be prepared to discuss how you've handled difficult situations in the past. Share examples where you provided clear advice and resolved issues effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a nice touch that shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance!
We think you need these skills to ace Revenues and Benefits Generic Officer (Housing) in St Leonards
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with Housing Benefit and Council Tax legislation. We want to see how your skills match the specific requirements of the Revenues & Benefits Officer role.
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills: Since this role is all about helping residents, don’t forget to showcase your excellent communication and customer service skills. Share examples of how you've explained complex information clearly in past roles.
Be Detail-Oriented: Attention to detail is key in this job! Highlight any experiences where you’ve had to manage data accurately or handle sensitive information. We love candidates who can demonstrate their meticulous nature.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hastings Borough Council
✨Know Your Legislation
Make sure you brush up on Housing Benefit and Council Tax legislation before the interview. Being able to discuss specific regulations and how they apply to the role will show that you're not just interested, but knowledgeable about the field.
✨Showcase Your Customer Service Skills
Prepare examples of how you've provided excellent customer service in previous roles. Think about situations where you had to explain complex information clearly or resolve disputes. This will demonstrate your ability to handle queries effectively, which is crucial for this position.
✨Be Detail-Oriented
Since attention to detail is key in this role, consider bringing along a few examples of your work that highlight your accuracy and thoroughness. Discuss how you manage to maintain high standards even when under pressure, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarise Yourself with IT Systems
If you have experience with NEC Revenue and Benefits or Information@Work systems, be ready to talk about it. If not, do a bit of research on these systems and express your willingness to learn. Showing that you're tech-savvy can give you an edge in the interview.
