Positive Employment is currently recruiting for a Benefits Assessment Officer for our client a government organisation in West Northamptonshire, England.
The successful post holder will ensure that benefit claims are being assessed accurately and paid correctly and in line with legislation and guidance. They will administer Housing Benefit and Company Tax Reduction new claims and change in circumstances efficiently and promptly to minimise fraud and overpayments and to maximise subsidy income to the organisation, in accordance with government legislation, and corporate priorities.
Have the ability to support and negotiate with customers, landlords and stakeholders in a calm, sensitive way in difficult situations.
This role is a temporary contract initially for 6 months with the possibility to extend. This role is fully remote working.
Duties and Responsibilities but not limited to:
*Interpreting and keeping up to date on complex legislation to assess and make necessary decisions on all types of Housing Benefit and Organisation Tax Reduction applications including changes in circumstances. This must be done within required timescales including compiling all the necessary information to accurately calculate entitlement. This includes specialised cases such as self-employed, students and persons from abroad and ensuring notifications of entitlement are issued correctly and are legally compliant.
*Provide a high quality and customer focused service giving advice on Housing Benefit, Organisation Tax Reduction, Universal Credit and wider Welfare Benefits and Welfare Reform through face to face interviews, telephone, electronic channels and home visits as required.
*Communicate and liaise with landlords, Debt and Welfare Benefit team, Housing, Revenues, the Rent Service, DWP including Universal Credit Service Centre and other stakeholders to ensure entitlement is correct, vulnerable clients are supported and to maximise income.
*Prioritise and manage own workloads to ensure objectives and targets are achieved and customer requirements are met and to identify possible fraudulent cases, refer to Corporate Fraud team and provide information and evidence as required.
*Ensure that overpayments are correctly identified and categorised in accordance with legislation and to maximise the subsidy income to the organisation.
*Receive and action correspondence in respect of Housing Benefit and organisation Tax Reduction from customers, landlords, Rent Service, DWP and other stakeholders including replying to requests for further information, statements of reasons, reconsiderations, and requests for backdated benefit.
*Accurately maintain organisation Tax records where changes are identified through Housing Benefit and/or organisation Tax Reduction applications to ensure systems are aligned.
*To comply with new and existing Revenues and Benefits legislation and working practices, including keeping up to date with the contents of the procedure manual.
*To undertake any other duties that can reasonably be expected of the role and the level of responsibility.
Personal Requirements:
*English and Maths GCSE grade C or above / Proven literacy and numeracy skills
*Demonstrate ability to understand, interpret and explain complicated government legislation and the ability to keep up to date with frequent legislative and procedural changes.
*Experience of working with IT systems including Microsoft products and document imaging/workflow systems.
*Works accurately with a high attention to detail
*Ability to demonstrate awareness/understanding of equal opportunities and other people’s behaviour, physical, social and welfare needs
Working Hours: 37hrs / Monday - Friday
Pay: £28.00 per hour
Please note this role is within the scope of IR35.