Overview
Local Authority Benefits and Housing Needs Officer, North London
Pay rate £220 per day
Contract role, Local Authority Housing and Benefits
We are recruiting for an experienced Benefits and Housing Needs Officer for a Local Authority in North London.
About the Role
As a Benefits and Housing Needs Officer, you will be responsible for both the specialist assessment of applications and the administrative processes that ensure our service runs efficiently. You will be expected to support approximately 10-15 residents a week. Your key responsibilities will include:
* Casework and Assessment: Contacting residents to understand their circumstances and decide on the best package of financial and non-financial support to help them.
* Assessing, awarding, and processing Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs), using your discretion in line with internal guidance.
* Conducting comprehensive benefit checks with residents to identify under-claiming and maximise their income across benefits like Council Tax Reduction, Universal Credit, and Pension Credit.
* Working with residents to develop shared plans to sustain their tenancy, which may include advice on downsizing or increasing working hours.
About You
* We are looking for a proactive and highly organised individual with a strong background in welfare benefits and a genuine desire to help people. You must be comfortable working both independently and collaboratively within a fast-paced team environment. To be successful, you will need:
* A strong understanding of welfare benefits and the ability to spot opportunities for income maximisation.
* Experience assessing DHPs in line with policy and guidance.
* Proficiency in using benefits systems, including Academy, Comino, and Searchlight.
* Proven experience in an administrative or support role, preferably within a welfare or social care environment.
* You will need to have experience in a similar level role in a Local Authority.
Let us help you take the next step in your career. Get in touch to explore exciting opportunities in qualified social work, housing and SEND roles.
Additional Information
For more information or to apply, contact Olivia Russell at Vitalis Social Care: olivia.russell@vitalissocialcare.co.uk or 07521 053670.
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