Senior Housing Benefit Officer

Senior Housing Benefit Officer – Harrow, London – Temporary – Full Time

An excellent opportunity has become available for an experienced Senior Housing Benefit Officer to join a Local Authority in Harrow. This is a senior position within the Housing Benefits team, supporting the delivery of a high-quality financial assessments and benefits service whilst ensuring compliance with legislation, maximising subsidy income and supporting some of the borough's most vulnerable residents.

The Senior Housing Benefit Officer will play a key role in the delivery of Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and Financial Assessment services, providing technical expertise, quality assurance and support to the wider team.

• Assess complex Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and Financial Assessment claims, including self-employed, student and social care cases.
• Support and deputise for Team Leaders when required across operational and performance management activities.
• Quality check assessments completed by officers to ensure compliance with legislation, DWP standards and local procedures.
• Manage benefit appeals, prepare tribunal submissions and represent the Council at appeal hearings and court proceedings.
• Support the recovery of overpaid benefits and ensure effective collection and recovery processes are maintained.
• Provide technical advice and guidance to officers on complex legislation, policy changes and benefit regulations.
• Work closely with internal departments, external agencies and the Department for Work and Pensions to achieve service objectives and performance targets.

The successful candidate will have substantial experience working within a Housing Benefits environment and possess strong technical knowledge of benefits legislation.

• A minimum of three years' experience working within a Housing Benefits team.
• In-depth knowledge of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit legislation and regulations.
• Experience dealing with complex assessments, appeals and over payment recovery.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to deal effectively with customers, elected members, MPs and stakeholders.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage a demanding workload and competing priorities.
• Strong IT skills and experience using Housing Benefits systems and Microsoft Office applications.

Working Hours:

Full Time, 36 hours per week.

Length of

Contract:

3-month contract.

Rate:
The pay for the role is £30.02 per hour LTD company rate. The PAYE equivalent is £25.59 per hour, inclusive of holiday pay.