Benefits and Housing Needs Officer
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Job Location:
Monthly Salary:
Posted on:
30+ days ago
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Job Summary
3 months contract with local authority
As a Benefits and Housing Needs Officer you will play a crucial role in assessing applications and managing administrative processes to ensure the smooth operation of our services. You will support approximately 10-15 residents weekly providing essential financial and non-financial assistance. Your work will involve evaluating applications processing payments and collaborating with various stakeholders to sustain tenancies and prevent evictions.
Responsibilities
- Casework and Assessment:
- Engage with residents to understand their circumstances and determine suitable support packages.
- Assess award and process Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) in accordance with internal guidelines.
- Conduct thorough benefit checks to identify underclaiming and maximize residents income from benefits such as Council Tax Reduction Universal Credit and Pension Credit.
- Collaborate with residents to create plans for sustaining tenancies including advice on downsizing or increasing work hours.
- Engage with residents to understand their circumstances and determine suitable support packages.
- Triaging and Administration:
- Review and triage incoming applications daily assigning them appropriately.
- Manage the shared team inbox and respond to resident queries particularly those concerning supermarket vouchers.
- Process payments for cash support schemes via BACS transfers.
- Maintain accurate and secure records on systems like Academy and Jigsaw.
- Review and triage incoming applications daily assigning them appropriately.
- Collaboration and Support:
- Liaise with landlords with resident consent to prevent evictions.
- Work closely with colleagues across Here To Help and other services to provide comprehensive support for residents with complex needs.
- Draft clear empathetic decision letters explaining the support offered.
- Liaise with landlords with resident consent to prevent evictions.
Requirements
- Essential Experience & Knowledge:
- Strong understanding of welfare benefits and ability to identify income maximization opportunities.
- Experience in assessing DHPs in line with policy and guidance.
- Proficiency in using benefits systems including Academy Comino and Searchlight.
- Proven experience in an administrative or support role preferably within a welfare or social care environment.
- Experience handling sensitive and confidential information with integrity.
- Strong understanding of welfare benefits and ability to identify income maximization opportunities.
- Skills and Abilities:
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with sensitivity and empathy in challenging situations.
- Ability to remain calm and focused under pressure.
- Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities efficiently.
- Collaborative team-player attitude with a flexible approach to changing priorities.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with sensitivity and empathy in challenging situations.
Required Skills:
Requirements: Full-time availability for a year Ability to work 36 hours per week Resilient and able to thrive in challenging situations Attention to detail and creative problem-solving skills Comfortable with confrontation and able to deal with difficult situations Availability for out-of-hours meetings and lone working Daily use of a car and a full driving license
Company Industry
IT Services and IT Consulting
Key Skills
- Section 8
- Public Health
- Data Collection
- Ellucian
- Banking
- Fair Housing Regulations
- LIHTC
- Budgeting
- Economic Development
- Real Estate Law
- Logistics
- Statistical Analysis
