Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support Assessment Officer

Reading Borough Council; England; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in the United Kingdom seeks a detail-oriented individual to join their Revenues and Benefits team. This position involves assessing entitlements to Housing Benefits and Council Tax Support, responding to inquiries, and minimizing subsidy loss. The ideal candidate should possess strong organizational and IT skills, a focus on customer service, and preferably some knowledge of welfare benefits. The role offers a supportive work environment with generous benefits including extensive holiday entitlement.

Benefits

Generous holiday entitlement

Local Government Pension Scheme

On-site day nursery

Season Ticket Loan

Qualifications

• Experience providing customer service via phone, email, and face-to-face.
• Ability to interpret and communicate complex advice clearly.
• Knowledge of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Assess entitlement to Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support.
• Respond to customer inquiries in a professional manner.
• Minimize subsidy loss through accurate assessments.

Skills

Customer service

Attention to detail

Organisational skills

IT skills

Education

GCSE or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Document management systems

Job description

x2 37 hours, Permanent

Hybrid working available, occasional requirement to visit offices

Are you detail-oriented and passionate about delivering excellent customer service? Join our Revenues and Benefits team and help us provide vital support to residents by assessing Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support accurately and efficiently

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

About the role

You’ll play a key role in ensuring residents receive the right support at the right time. Working as part of a dedicated team, you will:

• Assess entitlement to Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support promptly and accurately.
• Respond to customer enquiries across multiple channels in a professional and positive manner.
• Minimise subsidy loss through accurate assessments and prevention of overpayments.
• Help maximise customer income by signposting to other benefits and discretionary payments.
• Assist with recovery of overpayments and work collaboratively with colleagues to improve service delivery.

About you

You’ll bring a strong customer focus and an eye for detail. To succeed in this role, you should have:

• A general level of education (GCSE or equivalent).
• Experience providing customer service by phone, email, and face-to-face.
• Ability to interpret and communicate complex advice clearly.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage a caseload.
• IT skills, including Microsoft Office and document management systems.
• Knowledge of Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support, and welfare benefits (desirable).

You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.

Team Reading Values

• Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do.
• Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential.
• Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way.
• Make a Difference to Reading – maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed.

Our offer

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

Benefits

• Generous holiday entitlement – 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays – rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service and 33 days after 10 years’ service, with the option to buy additional leave.
• A wide range of flexible working opportunities.
• Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading.
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
• Life Assurance – three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS).
• On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted.
• Season Ticket Loan – a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work.
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax.

Closing Date: Sunday 4th January 2026

Interview Date: To be confirmed

Interview Process: To be confirmed