Assessment Officer
Horsham District Council / Milton Keynes City Council
Job id 4585

South
Salary £29,777 - £33,945

Closing Date 10th of May 2024

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We’re looking for a well organised and articulate person to join our Revenues and Benefits team to help us support some of the most vulnerable people in our community.

Ideally, you’ll have at least 18 months of experience in Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction assessments. You’ll set yourself high standards for quality and performance, as well as being excellent at customer service, communicating clearly in writing and over the telephone.

As our service continues to adapt, we’re looking for colleagues willing to be flexible and adaptable, for instance ready to consider some cross-site working with our partner Milton Keynes City Council. This is a great opportunity for experienced candidates currently working within Revenues and Benefits to diversify your current knowledge and experience across the wider service.

Milton Keynes City Council is a modern and friendly place to work. We offer an excellent benefits package including an enhanced pension at 18.8%, generous holiday allowance starting at 28 days as well as a great range of training and development opportunities to help you in your career.

 

For further enquiries or an informal chat about the role please contact either Laura Foote, Revenues & Benefits Team Leader, at laura.foote@milton-keynes.gov.uk or Natalie Buckman, Development Officer/Team Leader, at natalie.buckman@milton-keynes.gov.uk.

 

Main Responsibilities

• Process applications for Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction and Discretionary Housing Payments ensuring they are paid promptly and correctly in accordance with legislation and procedures.
• 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.
• Ensure that overpayments of Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction and Discretionary Housing Payments have effective recovery set or are identified as not being recoverable in line with policies and procedures and are recommended for write off.
• Administer Local Welfare Provision and any Local Authority administered government schemes that come into force.

 

The Ideal Candidate

• Experience in Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction processing activities (minimum of 18 months experience)
• GCSE English & Maths grade A – C, or equivalent
• Experience of working with and understanding the needs of customers
• IT literate in Microsoft applications
• Experience of using Capita Academy and/or the NEC Northgate Revenues & Benefits System.
• Experience using Information at Work Enterprise document management system or similar.

 

Milton Keynes City Council Benefits 
 
​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 health cash plan, a low cost bike purchase scheme as well as high street discounts and money off entertainment and travel.

 

Blue Light Card – employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local business.

 

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.  

 

 

To Apply:      For more information and to apply  online,  visit  our  website  at https://www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/jobs-careers  

 

Salary range: £29,777 to £33,945 

 

Hours: 37 full time 

Closing Date: 7 April 2024