Benefits Claims Officer - Person Specification

Job title: Benefits Claims Officer

Key requirements

Priority 1 – Could not do the job without this

Priority 2 – Could not do the job without this, but provided have Priority 1 criteria, this could be developed in the job over an acceptable period

Priority 3 – Would enhance performance in the job, but is not essential

Qualifications

  • Minimum 2 GCSE passes (or relevant equivalent) to include Maths and English (Priority 1)
  • IRRV level 3 to include Welfare (previous HB or Technician grade (or working towards achieving this) (Priority 3)
  • NVQ level 3 in Housing/Council Tax Benefit or Customer Services (or relevant equivalent) (Priority 3)

Knowledge

  • To have Practical & procedural knowledge of Housing Benefit & Council Tax Reduction regulations and good practice. (However, this is not an entry level requirement as training can be given) (Priority 2)
  • Ability to understand, key performance measures and targets (Priority 2)
  • Awareness of Data Protection and its requirements regarding confidential information (Priority 2)
  • Ability to use document management & workflow systems (Priority 2)
  • Knowledge of the Northgate Council Tax and/or Civica Document Management systems (Priority 3)

Experience

  • Experience of working in a benefits, welfare support or financial role (Priority 1)
  • At least 18 months experience working in an office or administration role (Priority 1)
  • Experience of dealing with customers by telephone, email or face to face (Priority 1)
  • Experience of working to tight deadlines and in a performance-driven environment (Priority 1)
  • Experience of giving complex advice and handling difficult customers (Priority 2)
  • Experience of handling confidential data (Priority 2)
  • Experience of working from electronic documents (Priority 2)

Skills

  • Effective communication skills, written and oral. (Priority 1)
  • Developed analytical skills to decipher often complex information and evidence (Priority 1)
  • Caring skills to be able to deal with sensitive situations (Priority 1)
  • Good computer skills including use of Microsoft products, including word and excel, internet and mobile devices. (Priority 1)
  • Good organisational skills to deal with and manage workloads/deadlines (Priority 1)
  • Ability to demonstrate a high level of Numeracy and literacy. (Priority 1)
  • Developed interpersonal and negotiation skills (Priority 2)

Personal Attributes

  • Can work as part of a team and/or using own initiative. (Priority 1)
  • Subject to DBS basic checks (due to secure data access) (Priority 1)
  • Able to work under pressure and in difficult situations. (Priority 2)
  • Able to follow complex statute/legislation and work-based procedures and policies (Priority 2)

 

 


Last Updated on Monday, January 13, 2025