Role Overview - What is it? To join our newest supported housing team, which sees us add 'housing benefit' based services into our wider (and significant) temporary accommodation provision, to lead on the systems development, administration, progression and management of claims and disputes. You will have expert knowledge and experience of working within a Revenue and Benefits environment with specific understanding of supported housing exempt accommodation rules alongside a demonstratable track record of effective claim management and income maximisation. You will be familiar with the legislation, policy and guidelines around the submission and management of housing benefit claims. Using that knowledge to assist colleagues (e.g. support workers) to assist their residents in resolving disputes and minimising arears. You will have worked with digital rent and support management systems, with a proven ability to develop, accurately maintain and update the systems as part of the wider finance and management function. Using those abilities to support in the generation of KPI and performance data. This is an exciting time to join this new team, as you will have the opportunity to not only administer the claims, but also support us in the design of best-practise systems and processes that will underpin future growth in this area. Main Duties - What needs to be done? Accurately review and scrutinise all Housing Benefit (HB) payment schedules, posting payments to the relevant rent account in our digital housing management system, currently Omniledger. Analyse received HB payments against rent accounts to identify exceptions, using that data to highlight discrepancies and actively pursue HB revenue recovery. Work collaboratively with departmental colleagues (eg support workers) and wider organisational areas (eg finance team) to maximise revenue and minimise arears. Engage with external stakeholders and revenues teams to investigate discrepancies and identify / apply resolutions. Support the development of a new system to capture housing benefit income and related resident support plan. Provide direct support to residents where necessary to help resolve complex HB issues, ensuring appropriate trauma-informed communication and engagement throughout. Support the departmental management team and wider SLT in the generation of appropriate rent models, including exempt accommodation models. Maintain and manage the HB elements of our digital housing management system, ensuring accuracy and detail at all times, using that to support in the generation of KPI and performance data. Use your knowledge and experience to support in the development of best-practice through a process of continuous improvement, which creates a sector leading level of performance. Liaise and meet regularly with colleagues in our finance team to ensure accurate reconciliation of HB payments and to minimise bad debts and arears. Build positive relationships with external stakeholders (eg revenue and benefits teams) to support us in achieving and maintaining trusted partner status for all of our HB based services. Take a personal interest in being part of the team that are supporting those individuals and families who have experienced homelessness and/or multiple disadvantage to overcome barriers and progress towards independence. Relationships - Who will I be working / engaging with? Internal - Other AOP service colleagues / Departmental Mangers / Head of Service and Senior Leadership Team / Residents. External - Revenues & Benefits Teams / Commissioners and Officers / Third Sector Partners / DWP & Universal Credit Teams / Housing Associations and Move-On Partners etc. Competencies - Who with and your skill level? Extensive and demonstratable knowledge and experience of Housing Benefit (HB) administration within a Registered Provider sector and scale of organisation. High level of knowledge on current HB policy and guidelines, with practical application experience which result in actual payments Experience of working within the supported / exempt supported sectors, with knowledge of the various approach to rent levels and HB payment procedures. Highly developed ICT skills and familiarity with digital housing management systems for the management of HB claims and payments, having used them to achieve maximum revenue recovery and data reporting. Proven skills to navigate and develop new digital systems. Proven ability to robustly apply innovative approaches and solutions to HB issues / discrepancies and making backdated claims to minimise bad debts and arears. Knowledge and experience of best practice in the administration and management of HB claims, reconciliation, management and resolution of discrepancies. Comfortable with working at pace in an evolving environment and motivated to support the wider team and organisation to develop and improve on a continuous basis. Highly numerate with a developed sense of financial acumen as it relates to HB administration and management. Willingness and ability to engage in an appropriate (eg trauma-informed) way with residents and those experiencing multiple disadvantage.