Benefits Officer

2.    Take responsibility for continuous self-development by maintaining a thorough knowledge of changing legislation, policy and procedure as well as both national and local initiatives.

3.    Liaise with other departments and organisations both internally and externally as appropriate and attend meetings as required

4.    Perform general administrative duties relating to the job

5.    Deal with customers in person, by telephone, by correspondence or at the enquiry desk in an efficient, timely and courteous manner.

6.    Perform to the highest standard to ensure the achievement of Business Plan Objectives, Service delivery Targets & Performance Indicators

7.    Have a detailed knowledge of Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit, Council Tax Legislation and an overview of other state benefits to perform the following:

·     Assessment of Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and Second Adult Rebate claims.

·     Assess eligible housing costs, including service charges for hotels, supportive lodgings and the rules regarding two homes and restrict the eligible housing costs where they are unreasonably high and provide explanation on the decision to landlords and tenants.

·     Processing new claims, review of claims, adjustments, claims for extended benefit payments

·     Carry out the assessment of other cases including:

Self Employed

Students

Persons from abroad

·     Recommending backdating of benefit.

·       Be responsible for dealing with cases that require re-determinations to the Rent Officer.

8.    Identifying any inaccuracy, irregularity or change of circumstance, resulting in an overpayment

9.    Recover overpayments by instalment recovery from ongoing entitlement or through an invoice

10.  Determine how much to recover the overpayment by and recommending amounts for write off

11.  Liaising with Financial Control team to place stops on Rent Allowance cheques and “write back” the cheque where stops are successful. Request hand written “Emergency” payments. Complete requests for replacement cheques

12.  Refer suspected fraudulent claims to the Investigation Team.

13.  Have an understanding of the appeals process, Discretionary Housing                           Payments scheme and other Welfare Benefits in order to advise customers of their rights and possible entitlement.

14.  Carry out manual benefit calculations in order to have a full understanding of how premiums, personal allowances, income and savings are assessed within the benefit process

15.  Apply the appropriate Council Tax liability adjustments for Benefit Claimants and Landlords.

16.  Advise and assist staff with queries, to include:

17.  Colleagues and less experienced staff

18.  Customer Services staff

19.  Other internal and external agencies

20.  Carry out revisions of entitlement

21.  Interview customers to resolve disputes in order to avoid formal       complaints/disputes.

22.  Analyse and work from reports and lists generated

23.  Assist with projects or service delivery initiatives as required.

24.  Work on own initiative, with the ability to make your own decisions. Understand  the subsidy implications with regards to the assessment process.

25.  Work collaboratively across oneSource to develop a positive, driven culture working together to achieve priorities.

26.  Think and encourage others to think creatively, generate ideas and innovative ways of achieving success.

27. Contributing to the Council’s vision and priorities through administration, calculation, assessment and modification of Housing Benefit and Council Tax support entitlements and Council Tax collection and enforcement administration including the prevention and detection of fraud.

28. Demonstrate a flexible approach in the delivery of work within the service area. Consequently, the postholder may be required to perform duties not specifically identified in the job profile but which are in line with the general responsibilities of the post.

Pay: £18 Umbrella