HAR-012910 – Housing Benefits Officer

Job Details

  • £17.64 per hour
  • Hybrid – 36 hours per week
  1. ROLE PURPOSE

To contribute to the provision of high performing customer centred financial assessment service as one of a team delivering financial assistance towards the rent and Council Tax cost for some 20,000 households who are the most vulnerable residents in the Borough against a background of ever changing regulations and guidance.

To ensure the service maintains its high performance and quality standards and advances Corporate Priorities and best value.

  1. CONTEXT

This post is responsible for delivering the Housing Benefits and Council Tax Support Service to some 20,000 households. It is also responsible for ensuring maximum recovery of some £4 million overpaid benefit and that subsidy in excess of £150 million is maximised

  1. DIMENSIONS

This covers the specific parameters of the role:

  1. One of a Team of up to 15 highly skilled Housing Benefit Professional Officers
  2. Provide support where necessary to Access Harrow
  3. Ensure that Housing Benefit Subsidy of £150 million is maximised by complying with the complex regulations and guidance of the Department for Work and Pensions and satisfying the annual external audit to validate compliance
  4. Have in depth knowledge of Harrow’s Council Tax Support scheme to ensure payment is made in a timely and accurate manner
  5. Ensure quality and performance targets for the services are met.
  6. Ensure that in excess of £2.5 Million overpaid benefit each year is recovered

Duties:

  • One of a team undertaking complex financial assessments, recovering overpaid benefits and the prevention and detection of fraud in accordance with Government Regulation and guidance and in full compliance with   Council guidelines, policies and procedures.
  • Be proactive in maintaining up to date knowledge of regulations and guidance relating to all types of benefits and contribution, Information Security and Data Protection
  • Transfer of knowledge and job skills to new and existing members of staff including any changes in regulation, systems and work familiarity.
  • Be familiar with systems, processes, reports, etc. used within the section and report any problems to the relevant team or person for resolution.
  • Recommend Appeals for referral to The Appeals Service(TAS) or Valuation Tribunal
  • Ensure the council reduces creation of overpayments, maximises overpayment recovery and government subsidy through prompt and accurate assessment of new claims, interventions, cancellations, change of circumstances, data matches, returned cheques  and correct classification of overpayments
  • Advise customers on complex Welfare Benefits, either verbally, in written communication or in face to face contact.
  • Attend customers’ homes to gather and verify information and working with colleagues to undertake a Financial Assessment where practicable, and at all times deal sensitively with clients who may be distressed, disabled, abusive, violent, frail or otherwise vulnerable.
  • Work with the Joint Team as and when required such as attendance at surgeries, contributing to take up campaigns, sharing ideas and skills with colleagues, working with client groups to equip them with knowledge regarding benefits
  • Attend meetings with stakeholders and disseminate new procedures and practices
  • Ensure that all work is carried out to the agreed Council and departmental standards, including performance targets set on an individual basis or as set out in the Service Plan or by central Government. Challenge and improve operational processes and conform to the Council’s guidelines, standards, policies and procedures.

Contact: rebeccabentum@carringtonblakerecruitment.com