Housing Benefit Assessment Officer

Housing Benefit Assessment Officer

Location Luton

Fully office-based, Monday to Friday, 0900 - 1730

£35,000 per annum

Our client is looking for a Housing Benefit and Systems Administrator to join their newest supported housing team, which sees them add 'housing benefit' based services into their wider (and significant) temporary accommodation provision, to lead on the systems development, administration, progression and management of claims and disputes.

You will have expert knowledge and experience of working within a Revenue and Benefits environment with specific understanding of supported housing exempt accommodation rules alongside a demonstratable track record of effective claim management and income maximisation.

• Accurately review and scrutinise all Housing Benefit (HB) payment schedules, posting payments to the relevant rent account in our digital housing management system.
• Analyse received HB payments against rent accounts to identify exceptions, using that data to highlight discrepancies and actively pursue HB revenue recovery.
• Work collaboratively with departmental colleagues (e.g. support workers) and wider organisational areas (e.g. finance team) to maximise revenue and minimise arrears.
• Provide direct support to residents where necessary to help resolve complex HB issues, ensuring appropriate trauma-informed communication and engagement * Maintain and manage the HB elements of our digital housing management system, ensuring accuracy and detail at all times, using that to support in the generation of KPI and performance data.
• Liaise and meet regularly with colleagues in our finance team to ensure accurate reconciliation of HB payments and to minimise bad debts and arrears.

You will need:

• Experience of working within the supported / exempt supported sectors, with knowledge of the various approach to rent levels and HB payment procedures.
• Highly developed ICT skills and familiarity with digital housing management systems for the management of HB claims and payments, having used them to achieve maximum revenue recovery and data reporting.
• High level of knowledge on current HB policy and guidelines, with practical application experience to achieve positive outcomes.

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