Benefits Officer

This is a full-time permanent position. An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Housing Benefit Team. We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic, hardworking individual who is willing to take on a challenge and is committed to developing their skills and knowledge. This post is permanent for 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

As a Housing Benefit Officer, you will be responsible for gathering evidence and calculating a customer’s entitlement to receive financial assistance towards their rental costs, as well as determining entitlement to a reduction in Council Tax liability under Hull City Council’s Council Tax Reduction scheme. You will be calculating new claims and changes in circumstances in line with Housing Benefit regulations for which you will receive training.

Main responsibilities include:

• Processing and determining claims accurately and in accordance with the relevant legislation and guidance.
• Accessing the DWP CIS system to obtain information relating to customers' benefits.
• Ensuring that all appropriate decision letters are issued in a timely manner.
• Communicating effectively with customers both over the telephone, email, and letter.

Ideally, you will have some knowledge or understanding of welfare benefits, excellent ICT skills, and the ability to work under pressure. You should be able to work to individual targets and as part of a team to ensure the team meets their service standards. Within this role, you will be working with vulnerable service users and their families.

If you would like an informal discussion regarding this opportunity or if you have any questions about this role, please contact Joanne Ling on 01482 613473 or e-mail joanne.ling@hullcc.gov.uk.

ROLE AND PURPOSE

Grade 4: To undertake training enabling development of the skills of a Benefit Assessment Officer. To administer claims for Housing Benefit and Local Council Tax Support via the Benefits database accurately and within performance targets set. To provide advice and assistance with general Benefit assessment duties and to provide a responsive service to internal and external customers through a variety of access channels including: telephone, face to face, written and electronic mail.

Grade 5: All of the above plus dealing with more complex work to a proven level of volume, accuracy, consistency, and autonomy. Mentor new trainees and provide assistance to Senior Benefit Assessment Officers as required.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Grade 4

1. Undertake a training program of both formal and on-the-job training in order to develop the necessary knowledge and skills in order to undertake the role of a Benefit Assessment Officer.
2. Statutory Obligations: Develop and maintain a good knowledge of current legislation, best practice, and relevant guidance.
3. Administer routine claims via the Benefits database accurately within predetermined targets and deadlines within a performance-driven culture, in order to achieve a quality-based, customer-focused service delivery.
4. Ensure that evidence collected to support claims meets the prescribed criteria and is sufficient to support the claim being assessed.
5. Check current information held on the Benefits database in relation to information received from customers, Government departments, and third parties and action changes as appropriate ensuring accurate letters and summaries of benefit awards are sent to the customer.
6. Work holistically with officers within the Revenues and Benefits service sharing expertise that embeds new working practices.
7. Demonstrate effective behaviours in line with the council’s competency framework.
8. Provide assistance and support to colleagues at equivalent grade or below giving guidance, direction, and training on operational matters, in line with guidance, office practice, and procedure.
9. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and associated legislation places responsibilities for health and safety on Hull City Council, as your employer and you as an employee of the council. In addition to the Council's overall duties, the post holder has personal responsibility for their own health, safety, and wellbeing and that of other employees; additional and more specific responsibilities are identified in the Council’s Corporate H&S policy.

Grade 5: All of the above plus:

1. Develop and maintain an advanced knowledge of current legislation, guidance, and best practice. Within an ever-changing environment, support colleagues to encourage innovation, motivation, understanding, and vision. You will be able to work under minimal supervision.
2. Administer more complex claims across all tenure types to the Benefits database accurately to predetermined targets within a performance-driven culture, in order to achieve a quality-based, customer-focused service delivery. This will include the administration of Discretionary Housing Payment claims to assess entitlement making discretionary awards following direction determined by Senior Officers.
3. Assist with the induction, training, and mentoring of staff and provide assistance and support to other staff giving guidance, direction, and training on operational matters, in line with legislation, guidance, office practice, and procedure.

Compensation Grades: GRADES 4 TO 5

Pay Ranges: £25,583.00 - £29,064.00

Benefits of Working for Hull City Council:

• A competitive salary
• An excellent pension through the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Initially 23 days annual leave depending on length of service. You will also get eight public holidays per year, and three additional days off, one in May/August and one during the Christmas/New Year period.
• Career development and learning experiences from a range of training courses and learning methods.
• Supportive and forward-thinking culture.
• Great career development opportunities.

Please ensure that you complete and submit your application by midnight prior to the closing date. We are committed to increasing the diversity, equality, and inclusion within our workforce to represent the people we serve and build an environment in which everyone can feel like they belong. We encourage people from all backgrounds to apply.

We adopt a ‘name blind’ approach to shortlisting. Recruiting managers will not have access to personal information, including your name and contact details, until a shortlisting decision has been made. Equality monitoring information is not accessible by recruiting managers at any stage.

We reserve the right to amend the dates associated with this advert, which may include closing the advert early where required. The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.