The Corporate Debt Welfare Officer will work alongside a dedicated, debt recovery team to review cases with an outstanding debt to the local authority (Council Tax and other miscellaneous debts) and develop more effective processes to prevent debt occurring and address it early.
They will provide essential support to customers who find themselves in financial difficulty and are often vulnerable in other ways, working to understand the customer and their circumstances, discover the underlying issues, and work with customers to find solutions.
Complete and verify customer assessments and change of circumstances to an agreed standard by conducting home visits, postal, caller and telephone reviews in accordance with legislation, policies, case law, and the working practices and procedures of the council.
Improve outcomes for customers by providing support, advice and assistance including financial, housing, digital, debt, and budgeting support available to them to maximise their household income, and by arranging the appropriate support in respect of any applications to the following discretionary funds - Discretionary Housing Payments, the Help scheme, and the Council Tax Reduction Scheme Hardship Fund.
Cheshire West and Chester Council is a place where everyone can Thrive – through our core values of Teamwork, Honesty, Respect, Innovation, Value for Money and Empowerment.
This is an exciting new role within the Corporate Debt team, the role of Corporate Debt Welfare Officer will involve a great deal of multitasking and customer contact.
You will be required to provide essential support to customers who find themselves in financial difficulty and are often vulnerable in other ways, working to understand the customer and their circumstances, discover the underlying issues, and work with customers to find solutions.
A good knowledge of Welfare Benefits, Local Authority Billing and Debt related legislation and sound understanding of Debt Recovery processes and options available is essential.