Benefit Assessment Officer - London, United Kingdom - Colbern Limited

Colbern Limited

Verified Company

London, United Kingdom

1 week ago

Posted by:

Tom O´Connor

beBee Recruiter

Description

Benefit Assessment Officer
Lewisham
Contract
£20.59 per hour

Our client is looking for an experienced Benefit Assessment Officer.

Summary of Responsibilities and Personal Duties:

Ensure benefit claims are processed efficiently and effectively and in accordance with regulations and agreed procedures including awards of discretionary housing payments.
Deal with enquiries promptly in writing, by telephone call or on-line.
Provide effective advice including budgetary support to customers to ensure awareness of welfare reform and prevention of homelessness.
Maintain spreadsheets and databases and prepare statistics as required
Ensure overpayments are correctly identified and classified for subsidy purposes and action is taken in accordance with agreed procedures.
Respond to enquiries from all external bodies including Lewisham Homes, DWP, Housing Needs and Housing Associations.
Process system output and reports as required.
Prepare casework for The Appeals Service.
Maintain a working knowledge of all relevant legislation, procedures and technology and welfare support provision including employment schemes and training opportunities.
Represent the council at court or The Appeals Service as necessary.
Adhere to and promote the council's core values.
Promote and implement the council's Equal Opportunities Policies.
Take positive action to promote the take up of benefits where appropriate and help to participate in outreach work eg customer surgeries.
Liaise with all sections of the Customer Services Directorate and other relevant departments of the council. Have contact with elected Members as required.
Have an understanding of and commitment to the council's Health and Safety Policy and promote and implement the Council's Equalities and Diversity Policies.
Ensure all necessary action is taken to deliver and administer services efficiently and effectively.
Carry out other duties as required within the scope of the post.
On occasion work in other areas of the Division as required.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills S
Excellent computer skills to ensure that benefit claims are updated accurately
Good time management skills
Ability to conduct home visits, telephone, or face to face contact to provide welfare advice and support S
Ability to process benefit claims accurately in the office, during face to face interview or through telephone calls. S

Experience

Experience of assessing housing and council tax benefit claims within a benefits environment
Experience of dealing with customers enquiries by letter, telephone or in person
Experience of working accurately under pressure to targets and timescales
Experience of dealing with challenging customers
Experience of dealing with customer enquiries and complaints to a satisfactory conclusion
Experience of explaining and resolving complex or difficult enquiries in a straightforward way

The first part of our recruitment process is to send your CV.

Should you be short listed Colbern Limited will contact you within 5 days or we may contact you about other job opportunities.

Colbern Limited along with our clients
are an equal opportunities employer.