WELFARE & BENEFITS OFFICER

Job description

ABOUT YOU

We are looking for someone who will thrive on our values of Ownership, Innovation, Teamwork and Inclusion and incorporate them in their working day.
You must have previous experience within the Welfare and Benefits sector and have working knowledge of Housing legislation. In particular, you will have worked with both the Housing Benefit and Universal Credit systems and be able to advise customers on both and the process of transfer between the two.
Our ideal candidate will have previous experience of a customer facing role and be able to manage complex caseloads and balance competing priorities. Someone who has experience of building and maintaining relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.
You will be understanding of the financial difficulties that people on benefits face, whilst at the same time understanding the need to prevent rent arrears and get any arrears that do arise paid as soon as possible. You will have a natural instinct to want to help people improve their situation and you will thrive on rising to a challenge. You will have excellent listening skills and you will be able to think quickly and clearly even under pressure to ensure that the customers get the best service and advice possible.
The successful applicant will require an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate which is considered satisfactory to Housing Solutions.

ABOUT US

Housing Solutions is a not for profit Housing Association, rooted in the local community providing quality, affordable homes to rent and buy across the local area. Our mission is to make our residents proud of w they live and our colleagues proud of w they work. Our services are driven by our strategic goals of safe, satisfied and sustainable, underpinned by our company values of ownership, innovation, teamwork and inclusion.
Established in 1995 we provide quality, affordable homes to rent and buy across the South East of England. We are rooted in the local community and we offer a wide range of housing services and housing options, including affordable homes to rent, properties to buy under shared ownership; market rent properties, and specialist accommodation for older people and people who need care and support to live within the community.

The Welfare and Benefits officer is tasked with providing support, guidance and advice to improve financial capability amongst Housing Solutions residents and maximise the organisation’s rental income. To investigate and implement initiatives to minimise the impact of welfare reform and Universal Credit from the customer and Associations point of view.
You will assess our customers entitlement to benefits, complete financial assessments and assist customers in making claims for Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, Discretionary Housing Payments and any other benefits they may be entitled to, and to ensure they are appropriately signposted to budgeting support or debt advice.
You will proactively identify “vulnerable” claimants and prospective claimants for early intervention work on their benefit entitlements. You will support the Income Team by helping to arrange managed payments in agreement with the claimant or via direct benefit deductions.