Benefits Assessor (Council Tax and Housing Benefits)

Positive Employment is currently recruiting for a Benefits Assessor for our client, a local government organisation based in Cheshire.

The successful post holder will under the guidance of the Senior Benefit Assessor, to assess Housing and Council Tax Benefit in accordance with legislation, case law, and the working practices and procedures of the council to the required standards of accuracy and achieving agreed clearance times as laid out in the Service plan

Deal with customer enquiries by telephone, in person or on visit as required, and to support colleagues and partners in prioritising customer needs, and providing excellent customer care.

This role is a temporary contract with an initial contract length of 3 months with the possibility to extend. THE ROLE IS FULLY REMOTE WORKING.

Duties and Responsibilities but not limited to:

• Process all work allocated by the Benefit Team Leaders in accordance with service performance indicators and office procedures.
• Assess all types of Housing Benefit (HB) and Council Tax Benefit (CTB) applications, including applications from students, self-employed applicants and customers across all types of tenures.
• Undertake overpayment calculations and underlying entitlement assessments.
• Undertake initial investigations relating to complaints and verify claims to the required standard.
• Maintain accurate customer records using online computer systems, complying with Data Protection, Freedom of Information and other security standards.
• Provide accurate advice to customers, promoting take-up of Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and other welfare benefits.
• Ensure customers receive the maximum benefits and additional income to which they are entitled.
• Identify and initiate recovery of overpaid benefits and classify overpayments for subsidy purposes.
• Ensure overpayments are identified, calculated, notified and recovered in accordance with relevant Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit legislation.
• Maintain effective communication with claimants and other stakeholders throughout the overpayment process.
• Provide support, training or mentoring to colleagues and partners as required.
• Conduct quality control exercises by checking colleagues' work, identifying discrepancies and errors, and reporting findings to the Benefits Team Leader.
• Conduct home visits, with a colleague where necessary, to facilitate benefit-related enquiries.
• Deal with telephone enquiries and provide assistance on complex issues to employees within One-Stop-Shops and, where appropriate, conduct customer interviews.
• Work in partnership with Council Tax Billing, Recovery and Fraud teams and maintain effective communication on common issues.
• Liaise with DWP offices, the Rent Officer Service, Housing Associations and private landlords regarding individual cases.
• Keep up to date with changes in relevant legislation.
• Comply with Health and Safety legislation and the organisation's Equal Opportunities Policy.
• Provide customer services and process Housing Benefit claims at the frontline and at alternative venues as required.
• Identify and refer potential fraud cases to the Fraud Team for investigation and liaise with investigators as required.

Personal Requirements:

• Experience of using Academy and Civica is preferable.
• Experience of assessing Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit applications.
• Experience of dealing with a range of benefit claims, including applications from students, self-employed applicants and different types of tenancy.
• Knowledge and understanding of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit legislation.
• Experience of calculating, notifying and recovering benefit overpayments.
• Ability to assess underlying entitlement and accurately verify claims.
• Ability to provide accurate advice to customers regarding benefits and welfare support.
• Experience of maintaining accurate customer records and working in accordance with data protection and information security requirements.
• Ability to deal with complex customer enquiries and provide appropriate advice and assistance.
• Ability to work effectively with internal teams and external organisations, including DWP offices, Housing Associations, private landlords and the Rent Officer Service.

Working Hours: 36 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

Pay: £23.05 per hour.

Please note this role is within the scope of IR35.