About this job

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our Welfare Service as a Welfare & Appeal Officer for the provision of a quality Welfare service. Giving advice and guidance to customers claiming Benefits, Council Tax Support or Discretionary Support provided by the authority and for all streams or revenue collection including but not limited to Council Tax, Housing Benefit Overpayments and Rents. You will administer and review housing benefit & Council Tax Reduction decisions and appeals, in line with the Housing Benefits Decision Making, Appeals & Council Tax Reduction legislation, guidance and commissioners’ decisions. You will play a key part in promoting financial resilience and independence for customers within the borough by providing welfare benefits advice, inclusive of welfare reform and welfare benefits case work. Support, and make on behalf of the residents, applications being made in respect of any relevant benefits and/or discounts offered by the services. Support residents with Online services, where relevant & possible, to support the management of service demands and build resilience & independence with the residents. Provide Debt and financial inclusion advice, intervention and generating successful outcomes in the management of debt and budgeting for customers. Undertake welfare & debt project case work as required by the service.

Special requirements for this post

Subject to a Basic Disclosure (DBS) due to access requirements and in accordance with Legislation.

About you

You are currently working in local government and have experience dealing with Housing Benefit & Council Tax Support administration. You have a strong understanding of the the relevant and associated legislation. You can demonstrate a commitment to delivering excellent customer service, ensuring residents receive the best outcomes. You have demonstrable communication skills, both verbal and written and can explain complex matters in plain English. You can process a wide range of information to extract relevant key facts. You work well under pressure, both independently and part of a team. You are driven and can work to set targets. Your organisational skills mean that you can prioritise a workload of competing deadlines. You are a creative thinker and will challenge the way things are done to improve the way the service is delivered. You are fully committed to your on-going learning and professional self-development.

About us

Barking & Dagenham is changing. It Starts Here. Think you know Barking and Dagenham? Think again. While this small corner of east London might have a reputation for needing development, scratch beneath the surface and you’ll find active communities and a place that consistently punches above its weight. The borough is changing – and changing for the better. And It Starts Here. Yes, the borough has its challenges. But it’s on the cusp of something exciting. With one of the youngest populations in the country, ambitions are high and rightly so. 98% of our schools are rated Good or Outstanding and every year more of our talented teenagers get into Russell Group Universities and hotly sought after apprenticeship schemes. We have award winning parks, centuries old manor houses full of relics and artifacts you can go and see, and the ruins of one of Anglo-Saxon England's most powerful and wealthiest religious sites. We’re even bringing beavers and white storks to the borough to help rewild the local landscape and boost biodiversity. Over the past few years, we’ve been working hard to improve how we deliver services and support our community. From tackling inequality to making sure our services are the best they can be, we’re focused on what matters most to local people.  We’re creating the conditions for people to thrive - so everyone can enjoy a good quality of life, feel proud to call this place home, and be part of something bigger.   #ItStartsHere - with our streets, our schools, our neighbourhoods. And with your application to join our determined team who are passionate about doing what’s best for the future of Barking and Dagenham.  As an Investors in People Gold Award employer, we’re serious about supporting our staff. From flexible working, professional training and career development to wellbeing initiatives, we want our people to feel valued and supported in everything they do. Our values, known as <ul> <li>DRIVE, shape how we work: Deliver our best every day – and do what we promise</li> <li>Respond in a prompt, positive way to our community’s needs</li> <li>Inspire others with our attitudes and actions</li> <li>Value people for who they are and what they can do</li> <li>Engage with others to improve our resilience and flexibility We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences.</li> </ul> We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences.

Additional Information

Please note that this is primarily a working from home role, however Tribunal attendance required when presenting Appeals and site attendance for training, printing or meeting purpose's.

Available documents

Welfare Appeals Officer.docx

Appeals and Welfare Officer