[Hiring] Housing Benefit Assessment Officers @Business Smart Solutions

Role Description

This is a remote position.

• Rate: £201.48 per day Umbrella
• Term: 13 weeks
• Hours per week: 36

To accurately, efficiently and courteously assess entitlement for Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support and discretionary funds, such as Discretionary Housing Payments, in accordance with statutory provisions and local policies and procedures.

• Assess applications, statements and evidence for accuracy, request additional evidence, where necessary, and calculate entitlement in accordance with legislation and local policies.
• Ensure ongoing entitlement is correct by investigating and processing change of circumstances quickly and accurately in accordance with legislation and local policies and procedures.
• Undertake reviews of entitlement as and when required, utilising information from all relevant sources.
• Correctly determine overpaid amounts of benefit, decide whether the overpayment is recoverable, identify the liable party and commence appropriate recovery action.
• Determine and advise on applications for discretionary funds, such as Discretionary Housing Payments.
• Manage workload effectively and ensure data is input accurately to ensure that entitlement is correct and subsidy is maximised.
• Notify claimants of all determinations using appropriate written communication, amended where necessary to give clear advice and guidance.
• Be alert to identify attempts to defraud or abuse the Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support system and to refer cases for further investigation.
• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders where appropriate, such as the Department for Work and Pensions, landlords or charities and support agencies.
• Advise residents of their entitlement to other welfare benefits and participate in take-up campaigns where required.
• Share information and make recommendations to others within the service to facilitate ongoing best working practice and provision of excellent customer service.
• Undertake administrative and other duties as may be reasonable be required and compatible with those listed above.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years experience of all HB assessment including New Claims, Atlas, VEPs, HBAA and all change of circumstances.
• Good knowledge of iWorld and Information@work systems.

Benefits

• Perks Hub: Hundreds of global and local perks, available online 24/7.
• Free monthly lifestyle perks; such as free coffees, breakfasts, cinema tickets, etc.
• Shopping discounts from the biggest brands, all year round.
• Save money on everything from the supermarket shop to summer holidays.
• Wellness Hub: Easy to follow videos for everything from yoga exercises to strength training and HIIT workouts.
• Mindfulness, meditation and sleep resources, available on all your devices.
• Guides to help with everything from anxiety to stopping smoking.
• Confidential mental health helpline, 24/7 access to a qualified counsellor.
• Celebration Hub: Celebrate and recognise fellow contractors, whether they're across the desk or across the world.
• Company polls where everybody can vote for the winners.
• Culture Hub: A single place to find company updates, photos, benefits information and lots more!
• Stay in the loop with what’s happening by accessing Culture hub anywhere, at any time.