Local Authority Benefits and Housing Needs Officer, North London

Local Authority Benefits and Housing Needs Officer, North London
Pay rate £220 per day
Contract role, Local Authority Housing and Benefits
We are recruiting for an experienced Benefits and Housing Needs Officer, in for a Local Authority in North London.

About the Role
As a Benefits and Housing Needs Officer, you will be responsible for both the specialist assessment of applications and the administrative processes that ensure our service runs efficiently. You will be expected to support approximately 10-15 residents a week. Your key responsibilities will include: Casework and Assessment:

• Contacting residents to understand their circumstances and decide on the best package of financial and non-financial support to help them.
• Assessing, awarding, and processing Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs), using your discretion in line with internal guidance.
• Conducting comprehensive benefit checks with residents to identify underclaiming and maximise their income across benefits like Council Tax Reduction, Universal Credit, and Pension Credit.
• Working with residents to develop shared plans to sustain their tenancy, which may include advice on downsizing or increasing working hours

About You

• We are looking for a proactive and highly organised individual with a strong background in welfare benefits and a genuine desire to help people. You must be comfortable working both independently and collaboratively within a fast-paced team environment. To be successful, you will need: Essential Experience & Knowledge:
• A strong understanding of welfare benefits and the ability to spot opportunities for income maximisation.
• Experience assessing DHPs in line with policy and guidance.
• Proficiency in using benefits systems, including Academy, Comino, and Searchlight.
• Proven experience in an administrative or support role, preferably within a welfare or social care environment.

You will need to have experience in a similar level role in a Local Authority.
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 Work with Vitalis to Discover Exciting Opportunities in Qualified Social Work, Housing and SEND

• At Vitalis, we’re here to make your career journey seamless and rewarding. Here’s how we support you every step of the way:
• Dedicated Consultant – Gain access to a specialist consultant who knows the market inside-out, has connections to roles across the UK, and is ready to provide tailored career advice and job search support.
• Hassle-Free Registration – Our easy only new registration process gets you started quickly and effortlessly.
• Exclusive Incentives – Enjoy referral schemes, bonuses, and other exciting perks.
  Compliance Simplified – Leave the paperwork to us! We handle ongoing compliance, so you can focus on your career.
• Fast, Reliable Payroll – Get paid promptly and consistently without any worries.

 
Whether you’re a qualified social worker, or have an interest in housing or SEND roles, we have the opportunities you’ll want to hear about.
 
Don’t forget, if this role isn’t the perfect fit, we’re confident we can find one that is. We recruit across a wide range of public sector specialisms, including:

• Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO)
  • Best Interest Assessor (BIA)
  • Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)
  • Looked After Children (LAC)
  • Children’s Social Work
  • Adult Social Work
  • Service Manager
  • Head of Service
  • Team Manager
  • Assistant Team Manager
  • A wide range of housing roles
  • Careers in SEND in local authorities

 
Let us help you take the next step in your career. Get in touch with me today to explore our exciting opportunities!
Contact me on olivia.russell@vitalissocialcare.co.uk or 07521053670 for more information.