Mental Health Debt and Benefits Advisor

Citizens Advice in West Sussex (North, South, East); Crawley; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Citizens Advice in West Sussex is seeking a dedicated Mental Health Debt and Benefits Advisor to support clients with welfare benefits and debt issues, improving financial wellbeing and recovery. You will work across West Sussex with healthcare partners, delivering holistic, person-centred advice across multiple settings.

The role requires experience in welfare and debt advice, knowledge of UK benefits, and a commitment to safeguarding and equality.

Qualifications

• Experience providing welfare benefits and/or debt advice is essential.
• Knowledge of the UK benefits system, including disability and means-tested benefits.
• Experience supporting vulnerable clients with complex needs.
• Strong interviewing and advocacy skills are required.
• Ability to manage a varied caseload and prioritise demands.
• Experience maintaining accurate records and using case management systems.
• Ability to work collaboratively with external agencies and multidisciplinary professionals.
• Commitment to equality, inclusion, confidentiality and safeguarding.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist benefits advice and debt casework to individuals affected by mental health problems.
• Take an income maximisation approach by identifying grants and other funding opportunities.
• Complete benefit application forms and assist with reconsiderations, appeals and challenges.
• Deliver timely, accurate, person-centred advice addressing wider support needs.
• Provide advice across hospitals, outreach locations, community venues, and offices.
• Develop relationships with healthcare professionals and referral partners to progress cases.
• Support clients through face-to-face, telephone, email, video, and written communication.
• Ensure compliance with Advice Quality Standard and organisational policies.
• Maintain accurate case records, outcomes, monitoring, and funder reporting.
• Meet personal and team targets and contribute to service development.
• Participate in team meetings, supervision, and professional development.

Skills

Welfare benefits advice

Debt advice

Benefits system knowledge (UK)

Vulnerable client support

Interviewing & advocacy

Caseload prioritisation

Record-keeping

Collaboration with external agencies

Equality & safeguarding

Tools

Case management systems

Job description

About the Role

We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate Mental Health Debt and Benefits Advisor to join our team. This is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful difference to the lives of people experiencing mental health challenges by providing specialist welfare benefits and debt advice.

You will support clients to maximise their income, address debt issues, improve financial wellbeing, and overcome barriers that impact their recovery and quality of life. Working closely in West Sussex with healthcare professionals, community services, and partner organisations, you will provide a holistic advice service tailored to individual needs.

As a Mental Health Debt and Benefits Advisor, you will:

• Provide specialist benefits advice and debt casework to individuals affected by mental health problems.
• Take an income maximisation approach by identifying grants, charitable funding opportunities, and other sources of financial support.
• Complete benefit application forms and assist clients with mandatory reconsiderations, appeals, and challenges to benefit decisions.
• Deliver timely, accurate, and person-centred advice, ensuring clients receive a holistic service that addresses wider support needs.
• Provide advice across a variety of settings, including hospitals, healthcare outreach locations, community venues, and office environments.
• Develop strong working relationships with healthcare professionals, referral partners, and internal teams to manage referrals and progress client cases effectively.
• Support clients through multiple communication channels, including face-to-face appointments, telephone, email, video conferencing, and written correspondence.
• Ensure compliance with Advice Quality Standard (AQS) requirements, organisational policies, and quality assurance procedures.
• Maintain accurate case records, client outcomes, monitoring information, and funder reporting requirements using case management systems.
• Meet personal and team performance targets while contributing positively to service development and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Participate actively in team meetings, supervision, training, and professional development activities.

We are looking for someone who has:

• Experience of providing welfare benefits advice and/or debt advice.
• Knowledge of the UK benefits system, including disability and means-tested benefits.
• Understanding of debt advice processes, budgeting, and income maximisation.
• Experience supporting vulnerable clients with complex needs.
• Strong interviewing, communication, and advocacy skills.
• Ability to manage a varied caseload and prioritise competing demands effectively.
• Experience maintaining accurate records and using case management systems.
• Ability to work collaboratively with external agencies and multidisciplinary professionals.
• Commitment to equality, inclusion, client confidentiality, and safeguarding principles.

A Trainee post may be considered for right candidate

A DBS will be required for this role