Welfare Benefits Officer

Orange Recruitment; Newtown (CT); On-site; USD 41,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

Barcud in Newtown is seeking a Welfare Benefits Officer to provide a high-quality Tenancy Sustainment service, focusing on customer care and welfare benefit maximisation.

You will work with tenants, housing officers and external agencies (Local Authorities and DWP) to support affordable rents and tenancy sustainment, maintaining accurate records and contributing to strategy reviews.

Qualifications

• Educated to A Level standard or equivalent, including English Language at GCSE level.
• Educated to degree level in relevant discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
• A recognised relevant professional qualification, particularly from the Chartered Institute of Housing. (D)
• Full driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Provide a professional high quality, comprehensive Tenancy Sustainment service with emphasis on customer care.
• Support tenants struggling financially to maintain tenancies and maximise income from welfare benefits.
• Foster partnerships with external organisations and agencies.
• Advise tenants on Welfare Benefits and stay updated with legislation changes.
• Assist tenants with Welfare Benefit applications and maintain records.
• Support Housing Officers with new tenancies to maximise income and affordable rents.
• Build relationships with Barcud partners, Local Authorities and DWP; update information.
• Encourage tenants to complete Cynnal survey forms.
• Assist with Welfare Benefit Reform Strategy reviews and funding access.
• Contribute to development of income recovery strategies and Tenancy Sustainment processes.

Skills

Customer service

Stakeholder engagement

Record keeping

Housing management

Policy guidance

Education

A Level or equivalent (English GCSE)

Degree or equivalent professional experience

Chartered Institute of Housing qualification (D)

Job description

Welfare Benefits Officer

£29,981 - £34,479

37 Hours, Full Time, permanent

Newtown

1 October 2026

Overall Job Purpose:

Provide a high-quality, customer focused Tenancy Sustainment service that enables Barcud to meet its business objectives and the needs of its tenants.

Key Responsibilities – Tenancy Sustainment:

• Provide a professional high quality, comprehensive and customer focused Tenancy Sustainment service with particular emphasis on customer care in accordance with the Association's policies and procedures.
• Provide support to tenants struggling to financially maintain their tenancies, noting eligible welfare benefit entitlements in order to maximise income including undertaking visits and directing tenants to external organisations for further help.
• Seek and implement opportunities to makes tenants more resilient, including the utilisation of external partnerships.
• Advise tenants as required on Welfare Benefits available to them, keeping updated with changes in legislation.
• Assist tenants with Welfare Benefit applications as needed
• Ensure that Welfare Benefit records including outcomes are up to date
• Assist Housing Officers with new tenancies as required to ensure prospective tenants incomes are maximised and rents affordable.
• Foster strong relationships with Barcud's partners and external agencies, including Local Authorities and Department of Works and Pensions and updating information as necessary.
• Encourage completion of Cynnal survey forms by tenants
• Assist with the Welfare Benefit Reform Strategy reviews
• Assist tenants and community groups within Barcud to access funding, financial aid and welfare, particularly by working alongside the Housing Oficers.
• Contribute to the development of income recovery strategies and action plans.
• Support the development and implementation of Tenancy Sustainment processes, systems and procedures within Barcud IT system.
• Raise awareness of Tenancy Sustainment initiatives , including income maximisation strategies
• Attend internal and external meetings as required
• Support the Cynnal Team West during busy periods.
• Deputise for the Senior Cynnal Officer when required.

This person specification details the experience and skills for the position of Welfare Benefits Officer East at Barcud. All skills and experience are essential except where explicitly indicated to be desirable (D).

Qualifications

• Educated to A Level standard or equivalent, including English Language at GCSE level.
• Educated to degree level in relevant discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
• A recognised relevant professional qualification, particularly from the Chartered Institute of Housing. (D)
• Full driving licence.

Experience

• Delivering a Housing Management service that is high-quality and customer focused.
• Providing guidance and advice to a variety of audiences, including vulnerable groups.
• Working closely with communities to improve their resilience.
• Advising individuals on matters on Tenancy Sustainment. (D)
• Raising awareness for initiatives.
• Fostering strong relationships with a range of external stakeholders.
• Maintaining thorough and accurate records.
• Public sector or Housing Association experience.