At a Glance
- Tasks: Support Exeter residents by assessing claims for financial assistance and welfare schemes.
- Company: Join Exeter City Council, dedicated to serving the community with integrity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, training opportunities, and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in benefits administration and strong communication skills required.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career growth potential.
The predicted salary is between 29064 - 31022 £ per year.
As a Benefits Assessment Officer, you’ll play a vital role in supporting Exeter’s residents by ensuring they receive the financial assistance they’re entitled to. You’ll be responsible for assessing claims for Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support, and other welfare-related schemes, applying legislation and local policy accurately and fairly. This is a fast-paced, detail-oriented role where your decisions directly impact people’s lives.
You’ll be expected to manage a varied caseload, communicate clearly with customers and stakeholders, and maintain high standards of accuracy and integrity.
About the role
You’re someone who thrives on making a difference. With a keen eye for detail and a methodical approach, you’re confident working with complex information and legislation. You’ll have experience in benefits administration or a similar field, and be comfortable using IT systems to process claims and maintain records. Strong communication skills are essential—you’ll be explaining decisions to customers, often in challenging circumstances, so empathy and professionalism are key. You’re also a team player who’s adaptable, resilient, and committed to delivering excellent public service.
About the team
You’ll be joining a supportive and knowledgeable team within the Finance service, where we work closely with colleagues across the council and external partners to ensure residents receive timely and accurate support. The team is experienced, friendly, and committed to helping each other succeed. We value learning and development, and you’ll be encouraged to grow your skills through training and mentoring opportunities.
What next
If we sound like the right fit for you and you feel like the right fit for us we would welcome your application. Please complete the application form at jobs.exeter.gov.uk Alternatively if you would like to find out more about the post, the team or working with us at the Council please contact Matthew Kemp, Benefits and Welfare Manager @ matthew.kemp@exeter.gov.uk
We reserve the right to close any vacancy before the closing date if enough applications are received.
Our commitment
At Exeter City Council we are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. To support this commitment we will strive to implement reasonable adjustments to support any members of our communities who face barriers in recruitment processes, irrespective of the reason. We are also proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and have committed to guaranteeing an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
Exeter City Council - Benefits Assessment Officer employer: Hbinfo
Contact Detail:
Hbinfo Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Exeter City Council - Benefits Assessment Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Exeter City Council on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info about the team and the role, plus it shows your genuine interest.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to benefits assessment. Think about how you’d handle complex cases and communicate decisions clearly. We want you to shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your empathy skills! In your interview, share examples of how you've supported others in challenging situations. This role is all about making a difference, so let that passion come through.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Exeter City Council - Benefits Assessment Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experience align with the role of Benefits Assessment Officer. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Attention to Detail: Since this role is all about accuracy, be sure to demonstrate your keen eye for detail in your application. Whether it’s through examples of past work or how you approach tasks, let us see that you can handle complex information with precision.
Communicate Clearly: Strong communication skills are essential for this position. In your written application, make sure your points are clear and concise. This will not only reflect your ability to communicate effectively but also your professionalism.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website at jobs.exeter.gov.uk. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently, so don’t miss out on this opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hbinfo
✨Know Your Legislation
Familiarise yourself with the key legislation and local policies related to benefits assessment. Being able to discuss specific laws and how they apply to the role will show your understanding and commitment to accuracy in decision-making.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated complex information to customers in the past. Highlighting your empathy and professionalism in challenging situations will demonstrate that you can handle the sensitive nature of this role.
✨Demonstrate Attention to Detail
Be ready to discuss how you manage a varied caseload while maintaining high standards of accuracy. You might even want to bring along examples of your work or processes that showcase your methodical approach to handling complex information.
✨Emphasise Teamwork and Adaptability
Share experiences where you've worked collaboratively within a team, especially in fast-paced environments. Showing that you're adaptable and resilient will resonate well with the supportive culture at Exeter City Council.