Welfare Benefits Advisor

Welfare Benefits Advisor

Location: Northampton

Salary: £22,500 per year.

Job type: 37.5 hours per week. Flexible working hours/Job Share/Hybrid roles are available.

There is a need to be in the Kettering office once a week. This role requires a driver with use of a car as will be out of office delivering face-to-face advice.

The Company:

We are a professional and charitable organisation, with two key areas of focus:

• Supported accommodation for single homeless people in North Northants
• Impartial and life changing housing, debt and benefits advice

We empower individuals to move out of debt, out of hunger, out of poverty and out of homelessness. At Accommodation Concern we believe everyone deserves the right to live their best possible life.

The Role:

Are you looking for a new challenge with a growing organisation? Could you be our next Welfare Benefits Advisor? In this role you will:

• Deliver a professional, impartial, pragmatic and outcome focussed advice service to beneficiaries whilst working to Accommodation Concern Quality Standards, Policies and Procedures and Regulatory Requirements.
• Provide Welfare Benefits advice and/or casework having regard for relevant legislation, meeting the requirements of the Advice Service Alliance Standard for advice case work relating to Debt, Welfare Benefits, and Housing.
• Provide advice/case work on Welfare Benefit issues to ensure income maximisation is achieved for beneficiaries. Signposting to other local specialist agencies for expertise when required.

Main responsibilities:

• To provide a Welfare benefits advice and casework service which conforms to the Advice Quality Standard & FCA
• Advise, assist and support clients who could benefit from welfare benefit advice in accordance with agreed procedures, policies and good practice.
• Provide support and advice with form completion and/or challenging decisions (mandatory reconsideration)
• Provide representation for clients by preparing and presenting cases at benefit appeal hearings
• Advise and assist with applications to increase income from other sources, including charitable trusts, local authority discretionary housing payment schemes, and utility companies
• Agree client needs and identify desired outcomes/actions
• Conducting initial client interviews within diverse operational sites.
• Provision of advice and case work. offered as part of our CMA Debt Centre, which may include money management, budgeting and debt solutions
• Initial contact/referral with other agencies to help coordinate services
• To maintain the accurate recording of client contacts and feedback within statistical software packages
• Work in accordance with the AQS operating model for casework management
• To support your Line Manager to ensure that the Advice Centre remains compliant and meets all regulatory requirements eg CMA Debt centre & FCA
• Maintain up to date knowledge of the benefit system, case law and the effects of the welfare reform and forthcoming changes.

Experience:

• GSCE level or equivalent in English & Maths
• Relevant computer experience/IT qualification/ Level 2 IT qualification or equivalent experience
• Working with individuals facing poverty and/or with dysfunctional lifestyles
• Working effectively in partnership with a range of stakeholders
• Patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations

Knowledge and understanding:

• Knowledge and understanding of the issues which affect the lives of disadvantaged adults.
• Ability to understand complex information and convey it in a way that is understandable to clients
• Ability to engage, build and develop relationships with adults who are; living in poverty; disadvantaged; homeless; and or ex-offenders
• Ability to promote empowerment with adults at all time and encourage clients to accept their responsibilities
• Ability to work independently and within a team whilst working professionally, innovatively and diligently

Closing date: Monday 31^st October 9am

Interview date: Week of 7^th November

If you are interested, please click on the APPLY button to submit your CV and a cover letter for this role. Upon clicking apply, you will receive a full copy of the job description.

Candidates with the relevant experience or job titles of: Housing Officer, Debt Advisor, Benefits Officer, Benefits Advice, Welfare Officer, Welfare Assistant, Welfare Advisor, Revenues Officer, Revenues Assistant, Revenues Collection, Revenues Enforcement, Revenues Collection Officer, Revenues Administrator, Revenues Manager, Revenues Recovery Specialist, Finance Assistant, Housing Benefit Officer, Finance Executive, Finance Officer, Accounts Officer, Benefits Advisor, Revenue Advisor, Benefits Officer, Benefits Support Officer, Revenue Officer, Benefits Assessment Officer, Customer Aid, Benefits Adviser, Customer Service Manager, Face to Face Advisor, Customer Support may also be considered for this role.