Benefit Assessment Officer - Fixed Term until 31/12/26 Maternity Cover

Warrington Borough Council; Warrington; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Warrington seeks a motivated Benefit Assessment Officer to validate expenditure and support service delivery. The role involves monitoring compliance with housing benefit legislation and collaborating with internal teams. Ideal candidates should possess strong communication abilities and organizational skills, along with knowledge of benefit regulations. The position offers a competitive salary and a variety of employee benefits including 26 days of annual leave.

Benefits

26 days annual holiday

Access to competitive benefits package

Health & Wellbeing Programme

Qualifications

• Knowledge of Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support and/or Social Security Benefits legislation.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to meet targets and work under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Validate and monitor expenditure per regulations.
• Assist in identifying funding opportunities.
• Track discretionary benefit payments and prepare forecasts.

Skills

Knowledge of Housing Benefit legislation

High standard of oral and written skills

Ability to work as part of a team

Ability to achieve targets

Good level of computer literacy

Strong organizational skills

Commitment to high professional standards

Job description

Benefit Assessment Officer - Fixed Term until 31/12/26 Maternity Cover

****Internal applicants only****
This vacancy is open to internal staff only

About us

To work as part of the Benefits team and assist the Operational Manager to effectively deliver Benefit Services to the highest standard whilst being costing effective and efficient.

The role

We are seeking a highly motivated to join our Benefits Service team. This role is key to ensuring accurate expenditure, effective monitoring, and continuous improvement of our services in line with statutory guidelines and council policies.

As a Subsidy Officer, you will validate and monitor expenditure on a weekly and monthly basis, ensuring compliance with statutory regulations and council policy while maximising subsidy from the DWP and minimising losses. You will also be responsible for collating, validating, and submitting information on benefit and support expenditure to support annual account closures and in-year estimates.

Working closely with the Head of Service and the Assessment & Support Manager, you will play an active role in identifying and securing additional sources of income, exploring both internal and external funding opportunities, and reporting on successful outcomes. You will monitor policies, procedures, and performance indicators within the Benefits Service, providing recommendations for improvement to senior management, while also reviewing work for accuracy and highlighting areas where further development may be required.

In addition, you will track expenditure on discretionary benefit payments, providing regular forecasts, and support both internal and external auditors by ensuring accurate validation of information. Part of your role will also involve assisting with the delivery of training on subsidy-related matters to colleagues in Benefits and Exchequer Services.

To ensure efficient and effective service delivery, you will prepare, maintain, and update procedural notes, manuals, and documentation, and work collaboratively with other teams and agencies to uphold high standards. You will contribute to the development and implementation of systems and procedures, adopting a proactive approach to identifying opportunities for improvement in working practices. From time to time, you may also represent the service in forums, meetings, and presentations, ensuring accurate reporting and timely follow-up on agreed actions.

This is a varied and rewarding role that requires excellent attention to detail, strong communication skills, and a proactive mindset. You will be expected to undertake any additional duties relevant to the purpose of the role, as required by senior management.

What's needed?

• A knowledge of Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support and/or Social Security Benefits legislation and administration procedures.
• High standard of oral and written skills
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Ability to achieve targets and work to tight deadlines in a fast changing environment
• A good level of computer literacy with experience of using PC based systems, including experience of entering data, producing reports, using MS packages and databases
• Ability to work to set targets with high level of organisational skills
• Commitment to maintaining high professional standards

As well as a competitive salary, working for us means you get:

• 26 days annual holiday - raising to 31 after 5 years of service (pro-rata)
• Access to our attractive and competitive benefits package
• Access to our Health & Wellbeing Programme

Key Dates & Further Information

Interviews will be held over MS Teams. If you would like to have an informal chat, please contact Amy Sheen, email: [e-mail], Tel: [phone] or Bryn Jones, email: [e-mail].

If you are a permanent WBC employee you will need to apply for this fixed term position as an internal secondment opportunity and will need to discuss this with your current line manager prior to applying.

DBS clearance is required.

Warrington Borough Council is a Disability Confident employer

Warrington Borough Council Offices, 1 Time Square, Warrington, WA1 2NT