At a Glance
- Tasks: Review and manage Housing Benefit claims to support vulnerable individuals and families.
- Company: Join The Housing Network, a purpose-led organisation partnered with YMCA.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 23 days annual leave, and Blue Light Card perks.
- Other info: Be part of a new team with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of those experiencing homelessness.
- Qualifications: Experience in Revenue and Benefits with a focus on supported housing.
The predicted salary is between 33000 - 33000 € per year.
We are the Housing Network (THN), a purpose-led organisation working in partnership with the YMCA to support our communities. We are in an exciting period of growth and are looking for experienced and passionate people to help us support vulnerable individuals and families experiencing homelessness. We are seeking an experienced Housing Benefits Administrator to join our newest supported housing team based in Luton. You will have great knowledge and experience of working within a Revenue and Benefits environment and a track record of effective claim management. This is an exciting time to join a new team and if you want to help us shape and create a great service for those who need us most, this could be the role for you!
- Looking for an opportunity to use your skills, experience and commitment to transform the lives of highly vulnerable people.
- Highly experienced working within a Revenue and Benefits environment with specific understanding of supported housing exempt accommodation rules alongside a demonstrable track record of effective claim management and income maximisation.
What you’ll be doing:
- Accurately review and scrutinise all Housing Benefit (HB) payment schedules, posting payments to the relevant rent account in our digital housing management system, currently Omniledger.
- Analyse received HB payments against rent accounts to identify exceptions, using that data to highlight discrepancies and actively pursue HB revenue recovery.
- Work collaboratively with departmental colleagues (e.g. support workers) and wider organisational areas (e.g. finance team) to maximise revenue and minimise arrears.
- Engage with external stakeholders and revenues teams to investigate discrepancies and identify/apply resolutions.
- Support the development of a new system to capture housing benefit income and related resident support plan.
- Provide direct support to residents where necessary to help resolve complex HB issues, ensuring appropriate trauma-informed communication and engagement throughout.
- Support the departmental management team and wider SLT in the generation of appropriate rent models, including exempt accommodation models.
- Maintain and manage the HB elements of our digital housing management system, ensuring accuracy and detail at all times, using that to support in the generation of KPI and performance data.
- Use your knowledge and experience to support in the development of best practice through a process of continuous improvement, which creates a sector leading level of performance.
- Liaise and meet regularly with colleagues in our finance team to ensure accurate reconciliation of HB payments and to minimise bad debts and arrears.
- Build positive relationships with external stakeholders (e.g. revenue and benefits teams) to support us in achieving and maintaining trusted partner status for all of our HB based services.
- Take a personal interest in being part of the team that are supporting those individuals and families who have experienced homelessness and/or multiple disadvantage to overcome barriers and progress towards independence.
What you’ll receive:
- Salary – from £33,000
- 23 days of annual leave
- Blue Light Card
- Referral programme
Housing Benefit Officer in Luton employer: The Housing Network
At The Housing Network, we pride ourselves on being a purpose-led organisation dedicated to transforming the lives of vulnerable individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Our supportive work culture fosters collaboration and innovation, providing employees with opportunities for professional growth while making a meaningful impact in the community. Join us in Luton, where you can utilise your expertise in a dynamic environment that values your contributions and prioritises the well-being of both staff and residents.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Housing Benefit Officer in Luton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the housing benefits sector, attend local events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching THN and understanding their mission. We want to see your passion for supporting vulnerable individuals and families. Think about how your experience aligns with their goals and be ready to share specific examples of your past successes.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable discussing your experience in revenue and benefits. We want you to feel confident when talking about your track record in claim management and income maximisation.
✨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 and engaged with our organisation right from the start.
We think you need these skills to ace Housing Benefit Officer in Luton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Housing Benefit Officer role. Highlight your experience in Revenue and Benefits, especially any work with supported housing. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for helping vulnerable individuals and families. Let us know why you’re excited about joining our team and how you can contribute to our mission.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples of how you've effectively managed claims or maximised income in previous roles. We love seeing results!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Housing Network
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Housing Benefit regulations and the specific rules around supported housing. Familiarise yourself with the digital housing management system mentioned in the job description, like Omniledger, so you can speak confidently about how you would manage payments and discrepancies.
✨Show Your Passion
This role is all about supporting vulnerable individuals and families. Be ready to share your experiences and motivations for wanting to work in this field. Highlight any previous roles where you've made a difference, and express your commitment to helping those in need.
✨Collaboration is Key
The job involves working closely with support workers and finance teams. Prepare examples of how you've successfully collaborated with others in past roles. Emphasise your ability to build positive relationships and communicate effectively with both colleagues and external stakeholders.
✨Continuous Improvement Mindset
The organisation values best practices and continuous improvement. Think about times when you've contributed to process improvements or helped develop new systems. Be ready to discuss how you can bring that mindset to the team and help shape a sector-leading service.
