Benefits Assessment Officer RQ1619935

Triumph Consultants Ltd; Kettering; Remote; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A consulting firm in Kettering seeks a Benefits Assessment Officer to determine eligibility for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support. The role involves managing applications and claims, ensuring compliance with legislation and council policies. Candidates should have significant experience in assessing claims, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work independently. This is a temporary position with remote or office-based working arrangements.

Qualifications

• Significant experience assessing Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support claims.
• Strong understanding of relevant government legislation.
• Knowledge of welfare benefits.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Strong prioritisation and workload management skills.

Responsibilities

• Determine eligibility for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support.
• Collate and verify required information from various sources.
• Assess claims in line with legislation and council schemes.
• Record and amend claim information accurately.
• Identify and refer false claims to relevant services.
• Maintain clear records of claims and decisions.
• Issue invoices for Housing Benefit overpayments.

Skills

Experience assessing Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support claims

Understanding of relevant government legislation

Knowledge of welfare benefits

Verbal and written communication skills (fluent English)

Ability to work independently

Prioritisation and workload management skills

Job description

Benefits Assessment Officer – North Northamptonshire

Job Title: Benefits Assessment Officer
Reference: RQ1619935
Pay: £18.52 per hour PAYE
Contract: Temporary, 2 to 3 months
Working Arrangement: Remote or office based – whichever suits the candidate
DBS: Basic DBS required

Role Overview

As a Benefits Assessment Officer you will determine eligibility for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support for local council claimants, collate and verify required information, and ensure correct entitlement and subsidy are awarded. You will manage all changes in circumstances within defined timescales.

Key Responsibilities

• Receive Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support applications via post, counter, email and online channels and determine eligibility in accordance with primary and secondary legislation and Council policy.
• Request, collect and verify documentary evidence from claimants, landlords, third parties, DWP and HMRC to establish entitlement.
• Proactively telephone customers to seek additional information, expediting claim processing.
• Assess eligible claims for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support in line with current legislation and council schemes.
• Record and amend claim information in the computerized system, ensuring accuracy and compliance with legislation.
• Identify and refer false or fraudulent claims to the Fraud and Error Service at DWP.
• Maintain clear, current records of all claims and decisions.
• Arrange periodic review of claims as needed.
• Issue invoices for Housing Benefit overpayments to claimants and landlords.

Qualifications & Experience

• Significant, demonstrable experience assessing Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support claims.
• Strong understanding of relevant government legislation and ability to stay updated on changes.
• Knowledge of welfare benefits.
• Excellent verbal (fluent English) and written communication skills.
• Proven ability to work independently with minimal supervision, using discretion and judgment.
• Strong prioritisation and workload management skills.

How to Apply

Quote the Job Title and Reference Number in your application.
Submit a CV in Word format. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis – early submission is recommended.
If you do not hear from us within three working days, you have not been shortlisted at this time.