Assesment/Benefits Officer

To be responsible to the Benefits Team Leader for the effective and efficient discharge of all duties in connection with the assessment of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit

1 . KEY TASKS/DUTIES

To have a sound knowledge of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Regulations, together with their associated computer systems (i world), plus a good basic understanding of Council Tax Legislation.

To ensure the correct usage of computer systems, to input, verify and obtain information on all matters relating to the assessment of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.

To ensure that all claims for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit are processed accurately and within the targeted timescales by correctly calculating income and rent details and inputting the personal details of claimants onto the computer system.

To amend, cancel and suspend benefit claims effectively, to avoid underpayment/overpayment of Housing and Council Tax Benefit.

Within the Housing and Council Tax Benefit regulations and in accordance with the Council's policy guidelines, to recover overpaid benefit.

Where necessary, to refer rents to the Rent Officer Service and input the results onto the computer system.

To use the computer system reports to ensure that Housing and Council Tax Benefit has been correctly assessed and paid to the claimant by cheque or credited to their rent/or Council Tax account.

To ensure that members of the public are dealt with in an effective and efficient manner, by telephone, correspondence, at the reception counter or by visit to their home, in all matters relating to their benefit claim.

To liaise with the Housing Department, Housing Societies, DWP and the Benefits Agency, in order to facilitate the quick and accurate assessment of Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Benefit.

To provide support, guidance and specialist advice to the Customer Services Centre on all aspects of Housingreporting any accidents and/or unsafe or hazardous conditions to management; and to do everything reasonable to prevent personal injury to themselves, fellow workers and members of the public.

To be responsible for identifying your personal training and development needs in discussions with your line manager. To participate in any training and development activities identified and agreed as relevant to your personal development and/or your development in the job.

To ensure confidentiality at all times in all matters relating to any work or communication within the Department and the City Council.

Note: this job description may be reviewed and it should not be assumed that the content, and reporting lines will remain the same indefinitely.