Benefit Assessment Officer

Opus LGSS People Solutions ,
Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
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Job Description

Role Title: Assessment Officer Service Group: Revenues and Benefits Accountable to: Team Leader Revenues & Benefits To work in the Benefits Service to ensure that it meets its purpose to pay the right benefit to the right person at the right time to the resident of Milton Keynes. This includes all financial awards: Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, Discretionary Housing Payments, Discretionary Council Tax Reduction and Local Welfare Assistance. 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 enquiries 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 & procedures and are recommended for write off Scope of the role The Assessment Officer operates as a member of the Benefits Service, reporting to a Team Leader Revenues & Benefits. The post holder liaises with members of the public, landlords, other Council departments and external agencies. The Benefit Service is responsible for the assessment of claims for Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction and Local Welfare Assistance. This includes Discretionary Housing Payments and Discretionary Council Tax Reduction.  Payments of Housing Benefit are made in respect of customers living in properties owned by both public and private landlords.  Local Authorities pay Housing Benefit on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Council Tax Reduction which is a local scheme for those in need of financial support.  The payment of Discretionary Housing payments is funded by DWP through a yearly grant and Discretionary Council Tax Reduction is supported through the Council's collection fund. Local Welfare Assistance is also financed through the Council. Local Authorities reclaim the Housing Benefit that they have paid from the DWP and the Benefit Service is responsible for ensuring that it is claimed correctly. Currently this is circa £100m for Milton Keynes. The Service aspires to deliver continual improvement and has in place robust systems to ensure accurate financial accountability for financial awards. We recognise the impact of our actions in terms of delivering quality services which are focussed on providing end to end resolution at the first and earliest point of contact, thereby ensuring maximum value for money for the Council and residents of Milton Keynes The Service has an agreed 'purpose': to pay the right person, the right amount of benefit at the right time The Assessment Officer makes decisions on the financial awards, accurately and in compliance with the legislation laid by Government and the policies and procedures drawn up by the Council.  Accurate and timely awards have an impact on the customer and the overall economy of Milton Keynes. Each assessment officer will be making decisions on financial awards totalling £2m Assessment Officer correctly identifies customers' requirements to ensure the customers' demand is resolved at the earliest point of contact. This includes: * Taking claims for these financial awards and checking information for validity * Obtaining the correct information and documentation * Inputting the information onto the computer system and maintaining these records; * Making recommendations for backdating & write offs for overpayments; * Keeping customers informed about the decisions that are made in line with legislation. They take, or initiate, action, as appropriate, to ensure that overpayments of benefit are classified correctly, appropriate recovery action set or if not recoverable, are recommended for write off. They adjudicate on requests for reconsiderations and revisions from customers that have been processed by other assessment officers to ensure impartiality. They may be asked to assist in the skills training of other staff, being a buddy or shadowed by new and less skilled officers. The Assessment Officer is required to assist in the continued improvement of the Benefits Service systems and procedures by identifying and reporting any potential improvements to a Team Leader Revenues & Benefits.  IT literate in Microsoft Office applications IRRV Technician/Level 3 Experience of working with, understanding and meet

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