Benefits Advisor

We are looking for an experienced Benefits Advisor to provide specialist benefit advice and casework to clients.

You will be working for a compassionate, dynamic and community-focused charity working to alleviate poverty caused by problem debt and lack of financial capability. If you are passionate about helping people, then this role could be for you. It is much more than just a job - you'll get to see peoples' lives changed and dignity restored!

Internal Job Title: Welfare Benefits Case Manager

Location: Flexible location, between central London and home based

Salary: £25,000-£32,000 p.a. (FTE) depending on experience

Benefits: 33 days holiday (inclusive of bank holidays), 3-6% pension contribution depending on service

Contract type: Permanent, 3-5 days a week (flexible working options available)

Closing Date: 1st November

About the Role:

The charity is looking to expand the support they are able to provide into specialist benefits advice. Whilst they support many clients with benefit issues already as part of their debt advice work, they are looking for a specialist in this area who will be able to provide benefits casework for clients as part of the client’s advice journey. The role holder will work closely with debt advisers to equip them as they support clients with routine benefits advice.

You will provide welfare benefits advice directly to service users, and effectively manage your own individual welfare benefits advice caseload. You will also act as a point of expertise in the area of welfare benefits for the team of debt adviser, supporting them with more straight-forward benefits issues, such as dealing with benefits overpayments and repayments, and benefit maximisation.

Finally, you will support the training and knowledge base on welfare benefit issues across the charity by helping advisers stay up to date and contribute your welfare benefits knowledge and advice to the financial capability programme for service users.

Our client is a faith based charity, their biblically inspired mission is to ‘Restore Dignity and Renew Hope’ to those in the community brought down by poverty and debt. As Benefits Advice Lead you will play your part in bringing this vision to reality, supporting clients through what at times can be emotionally difficult situations, to get back on their feet and realise their full potential.

About you:

To be successful in the role of Benefits Advisor you will have prior benefit advice experience and experience of supporting clients with benefits casework, including appeals.

You will also need to bring with you the following transferrable skills and experience:

• Previous experience of managing complex cases and supporting people though appeals procedures
• Experience of providing person focused care and support in this area
• Up to date and wide knowledge in the field of welfare and benefits issues
• Experience of problem-solving, with excellent time management skills and the ability to multi-task and prioritise work
• Good IT skills and a strong command of the Microsoft office suite
• A strong ability to show empathy, compassion and patience

Above all else our client is looking for an individual who is keen to support and play their part in implementing their vision and be an enthusiastic advocate of the work they do to alleviate poverty. They are a faith based charity and although being a practicing Christian is not an occupational requirement, they are looking for someone that is comfortable with their Christian ethos and champion its core values. If this sounds like you, then apply today with a CV and covering letter explaining how you are a good fit for the role!

Other roles you may have experience of could include: Welfare Advisor, Debt Advisor, Benefits Advisor, Benefit, Debt & Money Advisor, Debt Recovery Advisor, Debt Service Coordinator and Adviser, IVA Advisor, Senior Advisor, Housing Advisor, People Advisor, General Advice Caseworker, Community Coordinator, Community Action Worker, Telephone Advisor, Operations Executive, Caseworker Supervisor, Senior Benefits Manager, Benefits Lead, Social Welfare Adviser, Benefits Specialist, etc.