Benefits Assessor (Benefit Customer Engagement and Compliance Team)

Stafford Borough & Cannock Chase District Councils; Cannock; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexitime scheme

Flexibility in working arrangements

Local Government Pension Scheme

23 days annual leave

26 days after 5 years

Discounted Council Leisure Centre

Cycle to Work Scheme

Free Car Parking

Casual Car User Allowance

Job summary

Cannock Chase Council and Stafford Borough Council are seeking a Benefits Assessor to join the Benefits Service. The role focuses on processing Housing Benefit and Local Council Tax Support claims, with duties including assessing changes in circumstances and advising customers across multiple channels.

The post is based primarily in Cannock with occasional travel to sites across Cannock Chase and Stafford Borough areas. Training will be provided to develop detailed knowledge of benefits guidance.

Qualifications

• GCSEs in Mathematics and English at Grade C or above or equivalent vocational or academic experience.
• Experience of assessing Housing Benefit and Local Council Tax Reduction claims.
• Ability to work in a team and on own initiative; willingness to undertake training to gain knowledge of Council Tax and Housing Benefits.

Responsibilities

• Assess changes in circumstances identified during ongoing reviews.
• Consider Discretionary Housing Payments in line with departmental guidance.
• Provide support to customers face to face, over the phone and/or by email.

Job description

Benefits Assessor (Benefit Customer Engagement and Compliance Team)

Role Number: RF567

Grade D: £26,847 - £29,071 per annum

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: 37 per week

Why join us?

Working for Cannock Chase District and Stafford Borough Councils gives you the opportunity to make a real difference while enjoying excellent terms and benefits, including:

• Flexitime scheme to support work–life balance
• Flexibility in working arrangements
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• 23 days annual leave, rising to 26 days after 5 years continuous service
• Discounted Council Leisure Centre Membership
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Free Car Parking
• Casual Car User Allowance

About the role

Cannock Chase Council and Stafford Borough Council are committed to achieving excellence in the processing of Housing Benefit and Local Council Tax Support claims together with the recovery of overpaid benefit, from their shared Benefits Service.

The following opportunity has arisen for a candidate with the appropriate skills, experience and commitment to work in the shared Benefits Service. Whilst the successful candidate will be based primarily in Cannock, you may be required on occasion to work at sites across the Cannock Chase and Stafford Borough areas.

As part of a busy team you will be required to provide support to customers both face to face, over the phone and / or e-mail. You will be required to assess changes in circumstances identified as a result of on going reviews and will be required to consider Discretionary Housing Payments in accordance with departmental guidance.

About you

The successful applicant will ideally have experience of assessing Housing Benefit and Local Council Tax Reduction claims and will be able to work accurately and prioritise workloads to enable deadlines to be met.

You should hold GCSEs in Mathematics and English at Grade C or above or equivalent vocational or academic experience. You must also be able to work in a team and on your own initiative as well as being willing to undertake training development to gain detailed knowledge of Council Tax and Housing Benefits.

Further details are available in the supporting documentation.

The successful candidate will be required to undergo a Baseline Personnel Security Standard Check once appointed, which includes a Basic DBS Disclosure and enhanced identity checks.

Ready to make a difference?

If you’re looking for a role where your expertise will be valued, your development supported, and your work will have a meaningful impact across two ambitious local authorities, we’d love to hear from you.

Closing date: Thursday 5th November 2026

Cannock Chase District and Stafford Borough Councils are Equal Opportunities Employers