Senior Housing Benefits Officer

Senior Housing Benefits Officer

London Borough of Harrow: Primarily Remote (with requirement for local Tribunal attendance)

Up to £27 per hour

The London Borough of Harrow is seeking a highly skilled and dedicated Senior Housing Benefits Officer to join our team. This is a specialized role focused specifically on the management and resolution of complex appeals. If you are an expert in social security legislation with a proven track record at Tribunals, we want to hear from you.

Unlike a generalist benefits position, this role is dedicated exclusively to the appeals process. You will be responsible for ensuring that all reconsiderations and submissions are handled with legal precision and within statutory time frames.

• Appeals Submissions: Drafting comprehensive, legally sound written submissions to the First-tier Tribunal.
• Reconsiderations & Escalations: Reviewing disputed decisions and handling complex escalations from claimants and representatives.
• Tribunal Representation: Attending and presenting the Council’s case at several Tribunal hearings each month.
• Legislative Expertise: Providing expert advice on Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support legislation.

To be successful in this role, you must meet the following criteria:

• Specialist
  
  Experience:
  
  Substantial, recent experience working exclusively on HB/CTS appeals. We are looking for a specialist, rather than a generalist officer who has handled appeals as part of a wider caseload.
• Advocacy
  
  Skills:
  
  Proven experience in attending and representing a Local Authority at Tribunal hearings.
• Technical Knowledge: In-depth understanding of the Housing Benefit Regulations 2006 and the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act 2000.

• Flexible Remote Work: Work primarily from home with the equipment provided.