Welfare benefits & money advice caseworker

Job title: Welfare Benefits & Money Advice Caseworker

Grade/Salary: Grade E - £31,537 - £36,363

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: 37 hours

Location: Sandwell Council House, Oldbury, Birmingham

Provide advice. Improve financial resilience. Support independence.

Overview

We are looking for a Welfare Benefits & Money Advice Caseworker to join our Welfare Rights Team, delivering high‑quality advice and support to residents across Sandwell. The role is critical in helping individuals maximise income, manage finances and maintain stable tenancies, particularly those who are most vulnerable or facing financial hardship.

You’ll be part of a committed team focused on delivering practical, person‑centred support that enables residents to live independently and improve their financial wellbeing.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist advice across welfare benefits, budgeting and debt, supporting residents through complex financial situations.
• Work both over the phone and face‑to‑face, helping individuals understand their entitlements, improve financial resilience and access the right support services.
• Provide comprehensive welfare benefits and money advice via telephone and face‑to‑face support.
• Support residents with budgeting and financial planning to improve resilience.
• Identify benefit entitlement and advise on claims, backdating, appeals and discretionary payments.
• Deliver debt advice, including use of the Standard Financial Statement to assess and manage debts.
• Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of welfare benefits, money advice systems and relevant legislation.
• Promote financial inclusion, supporting access to appropriate banking, savings and credit options.
• Work collaboratively with housing, safeguarding and other services to support residents holistically.
• Make appropriate referrals to internal and external partners to achieve the best outcomes.
• Contribute to sustaining tenancies and preventing financial crisis.

Qualifications

• At least 2 years’ experience providing welfare benefits or money advice.
• Strong knowledge of welfare benefits, Universal Credit and income maximisation.
• Experience delivering advice to residents via phone and face‑to‑face.
• Understanding of debt advice processes and financial assessments.
• Knowledge of wider support services including housing, safeguarding and social care.
• A commitment to maintaining professional knowledge through ongoing training.
• A supportive, empathetic and proactive approach to working with vulnerable individuals.

Benefits

You’ll provide specialist, in‑depth advice that has an immediate and lasting impact. You’ll support some of the most vulnerable residents to achieve financial stability and independence. You’ll work within a knowledgeable, supportive team of dedicated advisers. You’ll play a key role in tackling financial hardship and improving community wellbeing.

Why Sandwell Council?

At Sandwell Council, our work has a real impact. We are proud to be a values‑led organisation that supports its employees with excellent benefits, a competitive remuneration package, and a strong focus on development. By joining us, you’ll play a key role in delivering services that make a real and lasting difference to thousands of people across the borough.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

We place equality, diversity and inclusion at the core of who we are and how we lead, where every voice matters. At Sandwell, we recognise and value the richness that comes from diverse lived experiences, perspectives, backgrounds and identities. This diversity makes us a stronger and more effective council. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to building a workplace where everyone feels they belong, are treated fairly, and have the opportunity to thrive. Creating an environment where colleagues feel respected, supported and able to contribute fully is central to our culture and the way we work. We are committed to ensuring that all applicants and employees have equitable access to opportunities. Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the recruitment process and within the workplace so that everyone has the support they need to perform at their best and succeed in their role.