Welfare Rights Officer

The following content displays a map of the jobs location - Eddie Ferguson House, Blyth

Finance / Benefits / Revenues / Procurement

Region / Division:

UK Region

Directorate:

Adults, Ageing and Wellbeing

Welfare Rights Officer
Permanent | Full time | Blyth | NCC Band 7 salary £36,581 - £40,444

Do you want to make a real difference to the lives of people across Northumberland?

The Welfare Rights Service exists to increase the income of vulnerable residents by ensuring they receive the welfare benefits and financial support they are entitled to. Through specialist advice, representation, training and partnership working, the team helps improve financial wellbeing, reduce poverty and support positive health and social care outcomes across the county.

We are looking for a dedicated and knowledgeable Welfare Rights Officer to join our established Welfare Rights team based at Eddie Ferguson House, Blyth.

This is an opportunity to join a respected team that provides expert welfare benefits advice and support to Adult Social Care staff, residents and partner organisations across Northumberland. You will play a key role in helping vulnerable people maximise their income and access the support they need to live independently and with dignity.

As a Welfare Rights Officer, you will manage a caseload of complex welfare benefit matters, providing advice and support to Adult Social Care and finance team colleagues, in order that they can advise clients on their entitlements; supporting them from initial enquiry through to appeal and tribunal stages where required. You will also work directly with residents and partner organisations, helping them to navigate complex social security legislation and ensuring people receive accurate and timely advice about their entitlements.

You will deliver welfare rights advice through telephone, face-to-face and written channels, including home visits where necessary. The role also involves supporting benefit claims, preparing submissions, representing clients at appeal tribunals, and helping resolve disputes with government departments.

Alongside direct casework, you will contribute to the development and delivery of high quality training sessions, briefings and information resources for social care staff, voluntary organisations and partner agencies. You will help raise awareness of welfare benefits, support professional development across the sector and contribute to improving access to financial support for Northumberland residents.

The role requires excellent analytical skills, professional judgement and the ability to interpret changing legislation and communicate it clearly to a wide range of audiences.

• Managing a caseload of complex welfare benefit enquiries, claims, disputes and appeals.
• Providing specialist advice and support to service users, council staff and partner organisations.
• Representing clients at appeal tribunals and preparing supporting evidence.
• Interpreting complex social security legislation and communicating it clearly and accurately.
• Delivering welfare rights training, briefings and awareness sessions to staff and external partners.
• Producing and maintaining up-to-date information materials and guidance.
• Working closely with statutory, voluntary and community organisations across Northumberland.
• Supporting targeted benefit take-up initiatives to maximise residents' incomes.
• Visiting clients in their homes or other community settings where required.
• Contributing to policy development and service improvement initiatives relating to welfare rights and financial inclusion.

We are looking for someone who is passionate about improving the lives of vulnerable people and has a strong understanding of welfare…