Job Description
Housing Benefit Overpayment Recovery Officer
Salary £35,520 - £39,276 per annum
We are seeking a proactive and resilient individual to join our Overpayment Team, dedicated to recovering Housing Benefit overpayments efficiently and compassionately. You will play a key role in ensuring debts owed to the council are collected promptly, while maintaining a professional and supportive approach to all customers.
Key Tasks Include
* Proactively trace debtors to establish current addresses and secure repayment.
* Negotiate realistic and sustainable payment arrangements in line with council policies.
* Administer and maintain overpayment accounts with accuracy and attention to detail.
* Update system records to reflect factual and current information.
* Collaborate with colleagues to reduce overall debt owed to the council.
* Signpost vulnerable or struggling debtors to appropriate debt advice and support services.
* Ensure all actions comply with relevant legislation, council procedures, and data protection standards.
What We’re Looking For
* Confidence and resilience in challenging situations.
* Strong negotiation and communication skills to gain customer commitment.
* A firm but fair approach to debt recovery.
* Self-motivated, persistent, and target-driven.
* Ability to relate to individuals from diverse backgrounds with empathy and professionalism.
* Excellent customer care and teamwork skills.
* Quick learner with the ability to adapt and meet deadlines.
Flexible and solution-focused mindset
Please view JD here
Closing Date: 12th December 2025
Additional Information
We are committed to creating an inclusive, anti-racist environment for all. When you apply for a job at Newham, your application is considered on its merits regardless of your age, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender identity or sexual orientation. If you share our vision and values, and you bring the experience and skills we need, that’s all that matters to us.
The London Borough of Newham has important responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. If you are appointed to a job that involves working with these groups, you may be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Please attach your supporting statement, explaining in no more than x2 A4 sides why and how you meet the criteria for this role.
We practice anonymised recruitment. Please ensure that you remove all personal information from any documents that you upload.
The personal information we have collected from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. If any of these are detected you could be refused certain services or employment. Your personal information will also be used to verify your identity. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas, and your data protection rights, can be found by https://www.cifas.org.uk/fpn .
About Us
The London Borough of Newham is located only 5 miles east of London. It is well positioned with access to all major networks in London and the south east. It is well connected by public transport with, bus, tube and DLR. When the Crossrail service opens it will call at Custom House close to our council offices and also Stratford station and from there to central London. The London City Airport which serves major European cities is located at Royal Albert Dock. Newham has the youngest overall population in the country. It was one of the six host boroughs for the 2012 Summer Olympics and contains most of the Olympic Park including the London Stadium. It has a thriving arts quarter with the Theatre Royal Stratford East offering excellent entertainment for all the family. There is the University of East London which has two campuses in Newham, one in Stratford and another next to the regenerated Royal Albert Dock. It also has a large Westfield shopping Centre in Stratford which has all the major retailers there.