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Job Title: Benefits Officer

Location: Walsall

Rate of Pay: £16.93

Working Hours: Full Time - 37 hours

Type: 3 months with potential extension

Opus People Solutions are working with Walsall Council to recruit for a two Benefits Officers on a temporary ongoing position.

Main Purpose of the role:

To assist in the delivery of the following functions:

Assessment, payment and recovery of housing and council tax benefit.
Dealing with customer and other stakeholder enquiries; giving advice, information and assistance in person, by phone, letter and / or other electronic methods.
The control and maintenance of financial and other systems.
According to legislation, government performance standards and Council policy, procedures and objectives
To have extensive knowledge and experience of benefit legislation and procedures, as specified
To provide a progressive and responsive service to benefits customersRole Specifics:

Customer Service & Administration: Provide high-quality, customer-focused service in line with council tax reduction, housing benefit, and free school meal policies. Handle benefit applications, process changes, and ensure all relevant documentation is available for claims.
Knowledge & Compliance: Maintain a detailed knowledge of entitlement conditions, relevant legislation, and best practices. Ensure all actions comply with council standards and health and safety policies.
Fraud Prevention & Investigation: Identify potential fraud cases and refer suspected or confirmed cases to the Investigation Team. Support the recovery of unpaid taxes and benefit overpayments.
Communication & Collaboration: Respond to routine correspondence, including emails and phone calls, while adhering to customer care guidelines. Collaborate with internal teams and external agencies to resolve cases and support service objectives.
System Management & Reporting: Use a variety of computer systems to update customer records, produce correspondence, and monitor inconsistencies or rejections. Ensure all data is accurate and complete, assisting with ad-hoc reporting and projects.
Teamwork & Continuous Improvement: Work effectively as part of a team, prioritising tasks based on service needs. Contribute to performance improvement initiatives, assist in maintaining monitoring systems, and keep up-to-date with policy changes.

For more information or to process your application for this role, please apply online now