Welfare Benefits Officer

LLOYD'S REGISTER INTERNATIONAL; Selkirk; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Generous annual leave

Pension scheme

Job summary

Scottish Borders Housing Association is seeking an experienced Welfare Benefits Officer for a fixed-term 6-month contract to help tenants maximise income, reduce hardship and sustain their tenancies in the Scottish Borders.

Based in Selkirk with travel across the Borders, you will provide confidential advice, manage complex casework and work with partner organisations to improve customer outcomes. A driving licence and access to transport are required.

Qualifications

• Three years' experience in welfare benefits or welfare rights work.
• Experience working with the public and external agencies.
• Experience of case management and maintaining accurate records.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and negotiation skills.
• Strong written, numeracy and IT skills including Microsoft Office.
• Ability to manage priorities and meet deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Customer-focused approach and commitment to high-quality services.
• Resilience and ability to handle sensitive and complex situations.
• Ability to work in partnership with internal and external stakeholders.
• Current driving licence and own transport.
• Desirable: knowledge of social housing tenant issues and landlord policies.

Responsibilities

• Provide accurate, confidential welfare benefits advice and guidance to tenants.
• Support tenants with benefit claims, changes in circumstances, overpayments, and appeals.
• Manage welfare benefits casework from initial assessment through to resolution.
• Collaborate with Neighbourhood Housing Officers on rent arrears to sustain tenancies.
• Build relationships with statutory, voluntary and community organisations.
• Analyse service information to identify trends and unmet need.
• Maintain accurate records and ensure data protection compliance.
• Contribute to performance monitoring and service improvements.
• Provide advice by phone, written, and face to face.
• Promote inclusive housing services and support vulnerable tenants.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Negotiation

Teamwork

IT skills

Education

HND level or equivalent experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Welfare Benefits Officer (Fixed term for 6 months)

Make a lasting difference for tenants across the Scottish Borders. Join SBHA as a Welfare Benefits Officer, helping people maximise income, overcome hardship and sustain their tenancies.

Salary: £37,422 to £41,335 per annum (pay award pending)Location: Selkirk, with travel across the Scottish Borders as requiredHours and terms: Full-time, 35 hours per week (potential to consider part-time 21 hours per week), fixed-term contract for 6 monthsClosing Date: 16 September 2026

The Role:

We are looking for an experienced Welfare Benefits Officer to help tenants maximise their income, reduce financial hardship and sustain their tenancies. You will provide clear, confidential advice and advocacy, manage complex casework and work closely with colleagues and partner organisations to achieve positive customer outcomes.

We are seeking a confident and compassionate professional with strong welfare benefits knowledge, excellent communication and experience supporting people through claims, reconsiderations and appeals. A current driving licence and access to transport are required.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Provide accurate, confidential welfare benefits advice and guidance to tenants.
• Support tenants with benefit claims, changes in circumstances, overpayments, mandatory reconsiderations and appeals.
• Manage welfare benefits casework from initial assessment through to resolution.
• Work proactively with Neighbourhood Housing Officers on complex rent arrears cases to support tenancy sustainment and maximise rental income.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with statutory, voluntary and community organisations.
• Analyse service information to identify trends, unmet need and opportunities for targeted support.
• Maintain accurate records using the Association's systems and ensure compliance with data protection requirements.
• Contribute to performance monitoring, service improvement initiatives and continuous improvement activities.
• Provide professional advice and support to tenants and other customers by phone, in writing and face to face.
• Promote inclusive, accessible housing services and support vulnerable tenants where required.

What we're looking for:

• At least three years' experience in welfare benefits or welfare rights work, with a proven track record of helping people maximise their income.
• Educated to HND level or able to demonstrate equivalent experience.
• Experience of working with the public and external agencies.
• Experience of case management and maintaining accurate records.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and negotiation skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with tenants and stakeholders.
• Strong written, numeracy and IT skills, including Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to analyse information, manage competing priorities and meet deadlines with minimal supervision.
• A customer-focused approach and commitment to delivering high-quality services.
• Resilience, problem-solving ability and experience dealing with sensitive and complex situations.
• Ability to work effectively in partnership with internal and external stakeholders.
• A current driving licence and access to your own transport.

Desirable: Knowledge of current issues affecting social housing tenants, understanding of social landlord policies and practices, commitment to community engagement and a commercially aware approach to service delivery.

Being part of the SBHA team, you will enjoy a fantastic range of benefits including a competitive salary, flexible working, generous annual leave, stability of employment and a good pension scheme. You will be part of a team that is interested in your wellbeing and development, and work in an environment where you can flourish.

Scottish Borders Housing Association is not a licensed sponsor under the appropriate UK Government regulations and as such, does not invite applications from, nor engage in sponsoring, oversees applicants who do not already have the right to live and /or work in the UK. The Association will not engage in any enquiries or enter into negotiations from individuals or Agents in this regard.

Team: Tenant Support Services

Locations: Head Office

Yearly salary: £37,422 - £41,335

Employment type: Temporary

Closing date: 16 September, 2026

About SBHA

Scottish Borders Housing Association Limited is a Registered Social Landlord and a Scottish Charity (SC030751)