Benefits Officer

Wealden District Council; Hailsham; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Pension scheme

Hybrid working

Professional development

Job summary

Wealden District Council is seeking a Benefits Officer to assess Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction claims and ensure customers receive the support they are entitled to.

You will calculate entitlement by reviewing household details, income, and rents, and you will help customers apply online or face to face.

This role offers hybrid working, a competitive salary and pension, plus opportunities for professional development within a friendly team.

Qualifications

• A thorough knowledge and understanding of benefits legislation and guidance.
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills.
• Experience dealing with customers and handling personal or sensitive information.

Responsibilities

• Assess entitlement by accurately calculating household, disabilities, income, savings, investments, and rents and entering information on the Academy system.
• Liaise with voluntary organisations and other services to ensure a comprehensive service.
• Identify customers who should be claiming Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction and assist them to apply online or face-to-face.

Skills

communication

problem solving

customer service

Job description

This vacancy may close early due to high volumes of applications.

Are you passionate about helping people in need and making a difference in your community?

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for an experienced Benefits Officer to join our team.

What will the role involve?

You will assess claims for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction for our customers, ensuring that they receive the financial support they are entitled to and need:

• To determine entitlement by accurately calculating customer’s household, disabilities, income, savings, investments, and rents, determining which scheme applies to them before entering information accurately onto the Academy system
• Liaise with voluntary organisations, other services of the Council or other organisations, to ensure customers receive a comprehensive service, sound advice and are supported to make informed choices
• Identify customers who should be claiming Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction and help them to make a claim online or face to face

What skills, knowledge and abilities do you require for the role?

• A thorough knowledge and understanding of benefits legislation and guidance, as well as strong communication and problem-solving skills
• A positive and proactive attitude, and a commitment to delivering excellent customer service and continuous improvement
• Experience of dealing with customers and/or members of the public and handling personal or sensitive information

What do we offer?

• Competitive salary & pension scheme.
• Incremental progression subject to satisfactory performance.
• A friendly, supportive team.
• Opportunities for continuing professional development.
• Hybrid working.

Wealden District Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

We are committed to maintaining a diverse workforce and an inclusive work environment. We value the differences that people bring from all backgrounds and communities, and all applications will be treated on merit.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. At Wealden District Council, we are committed to fair, accessible recruitment and supporting colleagues with the adjustments they need to thrive. Disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria are guaranteed an interview. Join a workplace that values inclusion, wellbeing and equal opportunity.

Ethical Use of AI in Applications

We welcome innovation and do not automatically exclude candidates who use AI tools during the application process. However, we assess each application to ensure the candidate genuinely understands the role and its requirements.

AI may be used ethically and responsibly, provided it supports, rather than compromises our core values of integrity, transparency, and fairness. During assessments and interviews, candidates must present their own skills and experience without assistance from others, external resources, or AI, unless explicitly instructed otherwise.