Welfare Benefits & Money Advice Caseworker

Sandwell Council; Little Fields; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Little Fields is seeking a full-time Welfare Benefits and Money Advice Caseworker to join their Welfare Rights Team. The role requires specialist knowledge in welfare benefits and budgeting support. Candidates should have at least 2 years of relevant experience. This position involves providing advice to residents to improve their financial resilience and helping them navigate welfare systems. Applicants must have GCSE English and Maths or equivalent.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years experience in Welfare/Benefits Advice.
• Ability to provide advice via telephone and face-to-face.
• Knowledge of the wider benefits system and debt advice.

Responsibilities

• Provide financial advice to residents and improve their financial resilience.
• Identify entitlement and advise on claims and appeal processes.
• Make referrals to relevant teams for supporting residents.

Skills

Welfare benefits knowledge

Budgeting support

Universal Credit

Debt advice process

Education

GCSE English and Maths at Grade 4-9 (A*-C) or equivalent

Job description

This post is fixed term until 30/06/2028.

We have an exciting opportunity for a skilled individual to join our Welfare Rights Team as a full-time Welfare Benefits and Money Advice Caseworker.

The role will be for someone with specialist knowledge in welfare benefits, maximisation of income, budgeting, universal credit. You will have substantial knowledge and experience in welfare benefits and money advice.

You will be committed to the provision of excellent quality of advice. You will be friendly, supportive, highly motivated and work in driven team of specialist advisors to support our tenants and residents and the most vulnerable to sustain their tenancies and live independently in the community.

Requirements:

At least 2 years-experience of advice giving relating to Welfare/Benefits Advice.
To provide comprehensive advice over the telephone (Advice Line) and face to face to residents who require budgeting support, to improve their financial resilience so that they can manage their finances as effectively as possible.
To develop, acquire and maintain a sound knowledge of the wider benefits system, to be able to identify entitlement, and advise on the claim processes, backdating, appeal rights and discretionary payments.
To develop, acquire and retain a strong knowledge of the debt advice process, including using the Standard Financial Statement to identify priority and non-priority debts and suitable debt options.
To also maintain a sound working knowledge of other relevant services such as housing, safeguarding and social care.
To commit to attending regular training to maintain an update to knowledge of money advice systems, policies and legislation.
To increase residents’ level of financial inclusion by supporting them to access appropriate banking products and to provide advice in relation to appropriate savings and credit options.
Make appropriate referrals to relevant teams to achieve the best possible results for residents.
Hours

37 hours per week

Qualifications

GCSE English and Maths at Grade 4-9 (A*-C) or eqivalent, the successful candidate will be required to provide evidence of these qualifications.

The successful candidate will be required to undertake a basic DBS Check

Following Shortlisting potential candidates will be called for a written test scheduled towards the end of August with interviews taking place around the 2nd week of September

For an informal discussion, please contact Samantha Creary - Operations Manager on 07791 921169 or [e-mail]

We reserve the right to close vacancies prior to their advertised date if we receive a large number of applications. Therefore, you are strongly advised to complete and return your application as soon as possible.