The main purpose of the role: Benefit Assessor

To undertake a range of generic work activities centered around the prompt and accurate assessment of all types of claims for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support.

Specific duties and responsibilities Benefit Assessor

To undertake all work activities involved in assessment of new claims, changes in circumstances and ATLAS notifications

• Electronic Document Management scanning and indexing
• Verification of evidence, pre-assessment and requests for further information
• The complete final determination in accordance with the regulations
• Notification of determinations and quality assurance of letters
• Correct and full determination on overpayment recovery
• Correct subsidy coding of any overpayments and claim time stats

• To undertake the work activities involved in the determination of new claims and changes in circumstances including overpayments determination and recovery level decisions
• To undertake all assessment work activities above in accordance with the benefit regulations and internal operational procedures and guidelines
• To undertake all assessment and (re) determination work activities above using the Academy Benefits system and IDOX workflow and document management IT system
• To respond to customer enquiries across a range of benefit issues, especially when receiving customer queries for cases previously assessed / re assessed by self
• To provide support to Claim Support Team by personally dealing with phone and reception callers in respect of HB, CTS and DHP enquiries, and first stop Housing queries
• To liaise with HB officers, other internal Housing and Council Tax officers and external partner bodies in order to resolve outstanding claim issues and queries for customers
• To adopt one or more specialisms in addition to core competency frameworks in order to support personal development, variety of tasks and office support flexibility
• To work to a challenging set of personal performance objectives, targets and assessment quotas as part of annually revised personal performance plan
• To work actively in accordance with a regularly updated set of corporate and department procedures and to keep in touch with any changes
• To undertake any related activities as considered necessary and directed by Team Leader or senior HB Management.

Qualifications and Education Benefit Assessor

Good standard of education with GCSE in English language or equivalent, grade C or abov

Experience Benefit Assessor

working with Housing benefit and Council Tax Support regulations

working in a demanding team environment

working with clear processes and procedures

using computers in a processing environment

Experience of the Academy Housing Benefits IT system

dealing with people in a sensitive situation