Download People Policies Job Description Welfare Rights Officer Housing and

People Policies
Job Description
Welfare Rights Officer
Housing and Neighbourhood Services
Reports to:
Regional Manager
Responsible for:
No other staff
Job Purpose
To provide Association tenants with information, advice, advocacy services and support on
welfare reform and benefit changes allowing them, where possible, to improve their
financial circumstances through an uptake of welfare benefits.
Main Objectives of Post
To deliver an income maximisation service for our tenants by assisting with the claiming of
welfare benefits.
To work in partnership with colleagues to identify tenants in need of benefit advice
including those in debt to the Association.
To provide accurate and timely information to the Housing Management Team to enable
monthly and quarterly reports on the project outputs to be prepared.
Principal Duties
Services
Prepare full financial assessments for tenants, including assistance with completing and
submitting benefit claims where appropriate through:
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Conducting office or home visits with tenants and their families
Providing advice and guidance on welfare benefits tailored to the individual needs
of customers.
Promoting of benefit up take through publicity and awareness campaigns
Maintaining appropriate confidential case records.
Housing Benefit Claims
Assisting front line staff to:
11. Job Desc – Welfare Rights Officer
Revised – August 2014
1
People Policies
Job Description
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Submit claims quickly and efficiently.
Make backdated claims.
Maximise Housing Benefit income through claiming Discretionary Housing
Payments.
Monitor overpayment recovery made by Argyll and Bute Council and determine any
action in line with protocols, if procedures are not adhered to.
Deal with correspondence regarding change of circumstances.
Deal with annual revisions, stops and changes in Housing Benefit payments.
Calculate housing benefit at new tenant sign up date where appropriate.
Referrals to Other Advice Providers
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Make referrals to debt advice providers.
Make referrals to the fuel poverty advice providers.
Provide advice on other areas/charitable schemes that may improve tenant welfare.
Signpost tenants to other organisations to provide more specialist advice including
credit unions.
To ensure that information obtained from tenants and others is used according to
the Data Protection Act and that confidentiality is maintained.
External Liaison
Assist in promoting the objectives and the achievements of this service.
Liaise and work with other relevant local agencies, in particular Argyll and Bute Council’s
Housing Benefit section , Argyll and Bute Citizens Advice Bureau and Bute Advice Center.
Reporting
Maintain weekly and monthly statistical records of the advice work carried out.
Other
Comply with and promote the Association's Vision and Values, Code of Conduct and
professional standards by behaving in a professional manner at all times.
Ensure all statutory and Association regulations are followed, including Health & Safety, in
order to protect customers, employees and the business interests of the Association
No job description can cover every issue which may arise within the post at various times
and the postholder is expected to carry out other duties from time to time which are
broadly consistent with those described.
11. Job Desc – Welfare Rights Officer
Revised – August 2014
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