Job Introduction
We have a brilliant opportunity for an Apprentice Benefits Assessment Officer to join our Revenues and Benefits Team, within our benefits department.
This is a full-time permanent role, offering full training and a clear career pathway for candidates new to the profession. You'll be required to complete Level 4 Revenues and Welfare Benefits Practitioner Apprenticeship as part of your role. This will be completed within the first 18 months. Revenues and welfare benefits practitioner / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.
You'll work in our benefits service, a supportive learning environment and we'll help to develop your skills and knowledge across Revenues, Benefits and Welfare to complete your apprenticeship.
As an Apprentice you will be paid at a rate of 85% of the entry grade, which is currently £26,406 with progression annually, subject to satisfactory performance.
We'll also consider applications from candidates with considerable experience in Benefits Assessment. These candidates, if successful, will need to demonstrate continuous professional development across Revenues, Benefits and Welfare without the expectation of completing the apprenticeship.
For further enquiries please contact us via bensteamleaders@milton-keynes.gov.uk
Interviews for this role will be held 31st March, 1st April and 2nd April.
This role is may suitable for home working, following an assessment.
Role Responsibilities
- Take action to ensure that applications for Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, Discretionary Housing Payments, Discretionary Council Tax Reduction and Local Welfare Assistance are processed and paid promptly and correctly in accordance with legislation and procedures.
- Resolve to conclusion telephone, face to face and written enquires from residents of Milton Keynes, Landlords, external agencies and other Council departments.
- Provide advice about welfare assistance and where applicable signpost customers to other agencies for help and support.
- Ensure that the Council Tax account information relating to the customer has the correct liability and if not, resolve any discrepancies that would affect the financial award.
- Take or initiate action, as appropriate, to ensure that overpayments of Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, Discretionary Housing Payments and Discretionary Council Tax Reduction have effective recovery set or are identified as not being recoverable in line with policies and procedures and are recommended for write off.
Ideal Candidate
- GCSE English and Maths grade A-C or equivalent.
- Demonstrable experience of assessing claims for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction or for those applying for an apprenticeship, demonstrate experience in applying learning to progress towards a required skill.
- Demonstrable detailed knowledge of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction Legislation or for those applying for an apprenticeship, demonstrate an understanding of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction.
- Customer focussed with proven experience of working with, understanding, and meeting the needs of customers.
- Proven aptitude for and experience of working with numbers/financial calculations.
- Proven ability to take responsibility for quality and completion of own work within standards.
- Flexible and willing to adapt to change in busy and demanding work environment.
- Demonstrable experience of using NEC Northgate Revenues & Benefits and/or Capita Academy.
- Should you be offered the role, as part of the pre-employment checks a Basic DBS will be actioned for you.
About The Organisation
Milton Keynes City Council is a large, modern and financially stable employer with around 2,500 people working across our eight areas. Together we provide local residents and businesses with a wide range of important round-the-clock services and aim to make our city a better place to live.
We work hard because of the demands placed on us, like protecting children from harm or preventing homelessness. However, working for the city is always rewarding and everyone has the opportunity to make a real difference.
We’re very proud of our diversity and are committed to having a workforce that reflects the community we serve. Whatever your background, you will be welcome here if you share our values of being dedicated, respectful and collaborative.
We offer great training and support and because of the size and scale of the organisation there are always new opportunities to explore when it’s time for a new role.
If you’d like to know more about how we do things and what matters to us, take a look at our short booklet What makes us Milton Keynes City Council.
Package Description
In addition to your salary, we offer a range of benefits including:
- Great holiday benefits - most roles include 28 days annual leave every year on top of public (bank) holidays, increasing to 32 days after five years. In addition, there is a holiday purchase scheme allowing staff to purchase up to 5 additional days of leave each year.
- Excellent pension – everyone who works for us can join the national Local Government Pension Scheme, widely regarded as one of the best available.
- A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support and a childcare subsidy.
- Access to an award-winning employee benefits programme that includes a health cash plan, a low-cost bike purchase scheme as well as high street discounts and money off entertainment and travel.
- Salary sacrifice car scheme – low-cost leasing of electric and low emission vehicles.
- Blue Light Card - employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.
Why join us? Along with more on our Benefits, discover why Working at the City Council could be the right move for you here Working at the Council | Milton Keynes
Our roles are either designated ‘site based’ or ‘home based’. ‘Site based’ roles can include up to two days a week working from home whilst ‘home based’ roles are based at home four days a week. Of course, managers designate which category roles are in based on the needs of the service and the circumstances.
