We have a fantastic opportunity to join the Age UK's Information & Advice Line team as a Benefits Adviser. With living costs rising and the need for financial support ever growing, we are building a dedicated team of Advisers to guide and advise older people on the relevant benefits available to them. We are looking for motivated individuals to join us!
As a Benefits Adviser, you will provide information and advice to/for older people relating to benefits, conduct benefits entitlement checks, complete benefit application forms, and support older people with their claims. In doing so you will be utilising your experience and excellent communication skills to provide a vital service to older people across the UK.
If you have a knowledge of the issues affecting older people and a passion for helping others, then this may be the role for you!
This role offers hybrid working between home and our offices in either Blackpool or Ashburton (a robust home broadband connection is essential). The team work from the office at least 1 day a week, although this can be more if you prefer. You will need to live within an easily commutable distance of the office either by car or public transport, we suggest up to an hour's commute. During the probation and training period you will be required to come into the office 2 days a week. We are currently trialling fortnightly office attendance, but this could be subject to change in future.
Please note that our Benefits Service is operational Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Last date for applications Friday 29th August.
Must haves:
The below competencies will be assessed at the indicated stage of the recruitment process: Application (A), Interview (I), Test (T), Presentation (P)
Experience
* Experience of computer-based systems and keyboard skills. A, I, T
* Experience of working to set timescales. A, I
Skills and Knowledge
* Accurate data entry skills. A, T
* Excellent communication skills with an ability to communicate with a wide range of people in a professional and approachable manner. I
* Good numeracy and literacy skills. A, T
* Ability to handle confidential, sensitive information and personal details professionally and in line with current legislation. I
* Confident, professional telephone manner. I
* Ability to handle and present clearly and concisely, large amounts of complex benefits information. A, I
Personal Attributes
* Commitment to customer care and equal opportunities. A, I
Great to haves:
The below competencies will be assessed at the indicated stage of the recruitment process: Application (A), Interview (I), Test (T), Presentation (P)
Experience
* Previous experience of working in an information and advice services role. A, I
Skills and Knowledge
* Working knowledge of the benefits system and benefits. A, I
What we offer in return
* Competitive salary, 26 days annual leave + bank holidays + annual leave purchase scheme
* Excellent pension scheme, life assurance, health cashback plan and EAP
* Car Benefit Scheme, Cycle to Work Scheme and Season Ticket Loan
* Techscheme - buy any tech from Apple or Currys, up to £1000, and spread the cost over 12 months, interest free
* Blue Light Card Scheme
* You Did It Awards – recognition awards from £100-250.
Additional Information
Supporting statements and anonymisation
Candidates are expected to provide a supporting statement that explains how they meet the competencies annotated with an 'A' in the job description, to assess suitability for the position. Age UK acknowledges and accepts that AI may be used to support the application; we do expect candidates to personalise experience, knowledge and skills and failure to do so, may result in your application being rejected.
Please submit a Word version of your CV as it will be anonymised by our recruitment system when you apply for a role. Our system is unable to anonymise supporting statements and heavily formatted CVs. Please could you remove any personal information including your name before you upload to support our inclusive recruitment process. All equalities monitoring information is also anonymised and not shared with the hiring panel. Your name and address will only be known to us if invited for interview.
Equal opportunities & Disability Confident Scheme
Age UK is an Equal Opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates, regardless of age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital/civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity. Age UK is a Disability Confident Scheme employer. Due to high numbers of applications received, Age UK reserves the right to limit the overall number of interviews offered, and therefore, it may not always be practicable or appropriate to interview all disabled people that meet the minimum criteria for the job.
Reasonable adjustments
Disabled job seekers can access reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process. All requests for reasonable adjustments are considered on a case-by-case basis, in collaboration with the disabled job seeker to best meet their needs, by contacting the Recruitment Team. Disability disclosures will be kept confidential and only shared on a need-to-know basis to support the implementation of adjustments. Disclosures will not be used to inform hiring decisions.
Age UK is committed to safeguarding adults at risk, and children, from abuse and neglect. We expect everyone who works with us to share this commitment.
Age UK politely requests no contact from recruitment agencies or media sales. We do not accept speculative CVs from recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.
For a full list of benefits please visit our website.