Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support residents in accessing welfare benefits and process claims for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction.
- Company: Join a diverse team dedicated to making a positive impact in the community.
- Benefits: Enjoy 40 days annual leave, flexible working, and a generous pension plan.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace committed to equality, diversity, and professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while growing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: No prior experience needed; full training provided and effective communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 28377 - 42888 £ per year.
Contract: Permanent – Fulltime (36 Hours)
Salary: £28,377 to £42,888 depending on Skills, Knowledge and Experience
Location: Richmond / Wandsworth
Other essential information: Working from home available but will need to attend office on a rota basis.
Objective of role: Do you aspire to support residents in the borough to access the welfare benefits they are entitled to? The Benefits Service supports customers to claim Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction (CTR) and other welfare benefits to help with rent and Council Tax payments. This role offers you the opportunity to work as part of a large team supporting residents by assessing claims for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction and signposting other welfare support and services where appropriate. Can you work confidently in a challenging environment, supporting vulnerable customers and managing competing priorities to help residents with their benefit claims? Are you driven to make a real difference and eager to grow in a role that is both demanding and fulfilling? If you’re ready to contribute your passion and skills in an environment where your efforts truly matter, we encourage you to apply and join our team.
About The Role: As a benefit officer you will be looking at applications for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction, checking information provided is accurate and complete, and calculating entitlement to benefit using several different IT systems. You will also need to process change of circumstances that may occur to a customer and deal with enquiries.
Communication skills: Effective communication skills are key to this role as you will need to gather information from different sources, including face to face discussion with customers and over the telephone to ensure claims are processed quickly and accurately.
Regulatory Compliance: Working within strict legislation and procedures is essential to ensure accuracy of assessments.
Experience: A good understanding of the Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction and other Welfare Benefit legislation is beneficial but not essential as full training will be provided.
Performance Management: You will work within a performance management structure, working with your team to achieve the best outcomes for customers, ensuring that key performance indicators are met, focusing on continuous improvement and excellence.
Professional Development: Actively pursue personal and professional growth by leveraging available training and support resources.
Essential Qualifications, Skills And Experience:
- Experience of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction administration is not essential, full training will be provided.
- Extensive knowledge and understanding of the legislation for Housing Benefit and Council Tax reduction and other welfare benefits.
- Experience of working within a Housing & Council Tax reduction environment.
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
Equal Opportunity and Roles and Responsibilities: Richmond & Wandsworth Better Service Partnership are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer. If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, please let us know. We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Some posts may be exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to these posts will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
Benefits: We offer a wide range of benefits designed to attract, develop, and reward our employees such as 40 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays), flexible working and a generous pension plan.
Benefit Officer employer: London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames
Contact Detail:
London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Benefit Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company and its values! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Richmond & Wandsworth Better Service Partnership. Understanding their mission and how they support residents will help you connect your passion for helping others with their goals.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills! Since this role involves interacting with vulnerable customers, it’s crucial to demonstrate empathy and clarity. Try role-playing common scenarios with a friend to build your confidence in handling enquiries.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your adaptability! The job description mentions managing competing priorities, so be ready to share examples from your past where you successfully juggled multiple tasks. This will highlight your ability to thrive in a challenging environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about joining our team. So, get that application in and let’s make a difference together!
We think you need these skills to ace Benefit Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of a Benefits Officer. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since effective communication is key in this role, don’t forget to provide examples of how you've successfully communicated with customers or colleagues in the past. This will help us see your potential in supporting residents.
Be Clear and Concise: When filling out your application, keep your responses clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforwardness, so avoid unnecessary jargon and focus on what makes you a great fit for the team.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently, plus you’ll find all the details you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames
✨Know Your Benefits Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction. Even though full training will be provided, having a solid understanding of the legislation will show your commitment and readiness to hit the ground running.
✨Practice Your Communication Skills
Since effective communication is key in this role, practice how you would gather information from customers. Role-play scenarios with a friend or family member to get comfortable with face-to-face discussions and phone enquiries.
✨Familiarise Yourself with IT Systems
Get acquainted with common IT systems used for processing benefit claims. If you can, find out what specific systems the organisation uses and try to learn the basics. This will help you feel more confident during the interview.
✨Show Your Passion for Helping Others
Be prepared to share examples of how you've made a difference in previous roles or situations. Highlight your drive to support vulnerable customers and your eagerness to contribute positively to the community.