Benefits Officer

£31,586 - £35,235

Full Time – 37 hours a week

Rugby Borough Council is dedicated to both Community and Colleague growth. With a focus on wellbeing and personal development, we offer a range of career opportunities where you can take pride in the positive changes you help create. Join an organisation committed to the success of one of the Country’s fastest-growing boroughs and the people who make it thrive.

About the role

We are looking for an enthusiastic, reliable and experienced Benefits Officer to join our Benefits Team, to undertake the administration of Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction claims and Discretionary Housing Payment applications. 

The role is hybrid working with a 60/40 weekly split, minimum of 40% office based.  Therefore, we are looking for someone who is a good team player but also confident working on their own.

We are a small team that work closely together but also alongside the Housing, Homelessness and Council tax teams to make sure we are providing the best support to members of our community who come to us for help in meeting their rent and council tax costs.

Duties and Responsibilities will include:

Maintain knowledge of and keep up to date with government policies relating to Benefits legislation including Universal Credit eligibility criteria and working practices of Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction and Discretionary Housing Payments. Maintain knowledge of functions, procedures and systems relating to the assessment of Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction and Discretionary Housing Payments. Respond to customer enquiries face to face, over the telephone and online.  Communicate effectively and appropriately with customers verbally and in writing. Maintain accurate computerised records of data collected in respect of the administration and payment of claims.  

About you

You will need to have experience of processing Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction Claims, and an understanding of the legislation used for decision making regarding Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction and Discretionary Financial Support Schemes. Ideally you will also have experience of working with Civica Open Revenues and Workflow systems, but this is not essential as training can be provided.

Benefits

• 35 days annual leave (including 8 Bank Holidays and 3 extra days normally applied at Christmas)
• Generous Local Government Pension Scheme
• Hybrid working up to 60% 
• Flexi time scheme
• Annual leave purchase scheme
• Subsidised parking
• Structured Induction Program
• Learning and Development opportunities including Future Leaders programmes
• Payment of a professional subscription for approved professionals
• Family Friendly Policies
• Independent Support for your health & wellbeing
• Generous compassionate leave
• Extra Benefits including Retail Discounts, Car Salary Sacrifice & Cycle to Work scheme and more