Job Title: Money & Benefits Advisor
Contract Type: Permanent
Full Time: 35 hours per week
Working Pattern: Flexible working
Salary: £29,282 (10% increase after 12 months dependent on performance)
Location: Hybrid – Based in Leicester

Want to make a real difference to the lives of people? For over 90 years, The Riverside Group has been providing affordable housing across the UK to people as well as care for the elderly and support for those who face homelessness.

The difference you’ll make

Proactively manage customer contact to complete we lfare benefit assessments via inbound and outbound calls, text messages, other digital channels or a face to face service, for identified tenants, including progressing applications, revisions and appeals on behalf of the tenant to maximise benefit entitle ment.

Identify and refer appropriate cases onto other specialist providers e.g. debt counsellors as well as internal support services.

Deliver welfare benefits advice in a proactive and targeted manner, taking account of good practice in the field.

Assess, analyse and solve complex issues in the delivery of Welfare Rights. Prepare and present cases to the appropriate statutory bodies, tribunals and courts where appropriate

To work closely with Income Collection Team to minimise arrears particularly due to affordability and budgeting issues which can include none take up of benefits, overpayments and sanctions and focusing on priority debts.

So, who are you?

We are looking for someone with at least two years’ experience in the field of Welfare Rights / Money Advice.

Customer focused with excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, showing the ability to meet the needs of a varied customer base.

Proven track record of problem solving.

Excellent attention to detail with the ability to work under pressure, deliver to strict deadlines and manage conflicting priorities

Desirable

NVQ Advice Level 3 or equivalent

Enjoy the rewards

Working with us, you’ll enjoy competitive pay, 28 days holidays plus bank holidays, a wide range of benefits, flexible working, and the chance to learn valuable new skills. We empower our people to do great work by investing in learning, personal development, and technology.

If you’re the kind of person that wants to do a really great job and make a difference to our customers, we think you’ll love it here. Sound like a challenge you’d like to take on? Then get in touch and let’s talk about how you can help us transform lives and revitalise neighbourhoods.

We encourage applicants from all sections of the community so that we can truly reflect the neighbourhoods in which we work.

Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to avoid disappointment!

For your application to be considered please ensure you complete and attach alongside your CV a Supporting Statement detailing in a few sentences why you have applied and feel you are a suitable candidate for this role.

Role Profile:

• Proactively manage customer contact to complete we lfare benefit assessments via inbound and outbound calls, text messages, other digital channels or a face to face service, for identified tenants, including progressing applications, revisions and appeals on behalf of the tenant to maximise benefit entitle ment.

• Identify and refer appropriate cases onto other specialist providers e.g. debt counsellors as well as internal support services.

• Deliver welfare benefits advice in a proactive and targeted manner, taking account of good practice in the field.

• Assess, analyse and solve complex issues in the delivery of Welfare Rights. Prepare and present cases to the appropriate statutory bodies, tribunals and courts where appropriate

• To work closely with Income Collection Team to minimise arrears particularly due to affordability and budgeting issues which can include none take up of benefits, overpayments and sanctions and focusing on priority debts.

• Stay abreast of legislative changes in Welfare law and incorporate into the running of the service.

• Develop welfare b enefit take -up campaigns to target areas of need

• Develop links with other service providers, voluntary and statutory, and maintain good working relationships, maximise income, cover costs and extend provision actively promoting Riverside

• Use a case management system to maintain full and accurate case management records and provide monitoring information as required

• Participate in team meetings and contribute to developing services to meet tenants needs

• Undertake personal development and training to k eep abreast with developments in the fields of housing and welfare to deliver best practice.

• Respond flexibly to any necessary changes in work priorities and undertake other duties when required to support the effective operation of the service.

• Ensure that all Data Protection requirements are met in accordance with the Group’s policy, procedures and statutory requirements.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Essential

• At least two years’ experience in the field of Welfare Rights / Money Advice

• Customer focused with excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, showing the ability to meet the needs of a varied customer base.

• Proven track record of problem solving.

• Excellent attention to detail with the ability to work under pressure, deliver to strict deadlines and manage conflicting priorities

• Ability to remain calm in a pressurised environment

• Excellent team player who can work flexibly to meet business requirementsDesirable

• NVQ Advice Level 3 or equivalent

• Experience of working in a housing environment.