V1.1
ID1403 Benefit Assessor
WREXHAM COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL
JOB DESCRIPTION
DETAILS OF THE JOB
JOB TITLE /ID
Benefit Assessor / ID1403
DEPARTMENT
Finance
SERVICE
Revenues
REPORTS TO (JOB TITLE & JOB ID)
Processing Manager
WORKBASE LOCATION
Lambpit Street offices
GRADE
L06
NUMBER OF POSTS
12.30 fte
IS WELSH ESSENTIAL or DESIRABLE FOR
THE JOB (See options on Vacancy
Management Form)
DOES THE POST REQUIRE A CRB CHECK?
VERSION CONTROL (INSERT DATE)
Welsh Language Desirable
No
Version 1 (28 February 2014)
1
ID1403 Benefit Assessor
SECTION 1: JOB PURPOSE
The post holder will work within the Benefits Section within the Revenues Division
The post holder’s primary duties will be to assess Housing Benefit & Council Tax Reduction
scheme claims made to the authority.
The job description may be subject to variation to meet service needs and further changes
may be applied following consultation with the post holder.
SECTION 2: DIMENSIONS
The post holder would be dealing with the assessment and processing of Housing Benefit
(HB) and Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTRS) claims received by the authority.
There are approximately 10,000 live HB Claims and 13,500 CTRS claims, HB payments to
customers amount to over £40 million annually with CTRS claims being just over £10 million
annually.
The primary duties relating to Benefit assessment include:
a) Assessment and processing of HB & CTRS claims
b) Dealing with customer enquiries
c) Decision making on evidence received and classification of overpayments
2
ID1403 Benefit Assessor
SECTION 3: PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Description of Principal Duty or Responsibility
NO.
1
2
3
4
5
To undertake the accurate assessment and processing of HB and
CTRS applications in accordance with guidelines in regulations
and local targets.
Ensure all claims received are verified and analyse and appraise
the information supplied with the claim in order to correctly
calculate the benefit or support payable.
Dealing with overpayments including the calculation and
classification of overpayments
Liaison with appropriate staff to ensure effective communication
e.g. Estate Office Staff, Housing Associations, Landlords in
relation to benefit matters.
APPROX %
Time on each
(min 5%)
40%
10%
10%
10%
Examine and refer cases where potential fraud is identified to antifraud team/DWP as appropriate.
Dealing with customer enquiries via various methods, e.g.
telephone, written or face to face to a high standard..
Corresponding with customers or their representatives where
appropriate regarding case enquiries
Liaison with the Processing Manager/Senior Finance Officer in
conjunction with the following matters:
 Referral/Approval of cases for Backdating
 Sample checking of cases processed
5%
9
Provide progress reports and other information which may be
requested by the Senior Finance Officer or Processing Manager.
5%
10
Undertake home visits to claimants where appropriate
3%
11
Any other duties required by the Head of Finance & Revenues
Manager that may be required due to the exigencies of the service.
This should be interpreted as widely as possible covering any task
of at least an equivalent scale.
2%
6
7
8
OPTIONAL SECTION 4: NATIONAL STANDARDS AND COMPETENCIES
(I.e. Social Care)
3
5%
5%
5%
ID1403 Benefit Assessor
SECTION 5: CONTEXT STATEMENT
The Benefits Assessor(s) within the Corporate Benefits section report to the Processing
Manager, the post holders are expected to:
 Have a practical knowledge of HB and CTRS Regulations
 Be able to work on own initiative and make rational decisions based upon
information provided
 Have experience of using IT
 Good written and verbal communication skills
 Awareness of Welfare Reforms and Universal Credit
SECTION 6: CONTACTS
Outline the job title of
the contact and
organisation with
whom the contact is
based.
Describe fully the nature of the interaction
with contact, including the most extensive
skill, accountability, decision making
expected. Outline the approximate
frequency of contact.
Customers and Citizens
To provide help and advice on HB or CTRS
issues in a clear and concise manner.
Internal
Contact or
External
(internal/
external as
response)
External
Council Departments,
e.g. Local Taxation,
Housing, Welfare
Rights, Fraud
Work in conjunction with other council
departments on matters of mutual interest, e.g.
Liability Issues, Tenancy/Rent Issues, Customer
Entitlements & Potential Fraud Issues
Housing Associations &
Private Landlords
Provide advice and support in relation to enquiries
relating to specific matters or general advice in
relation to HB/CTRS
Government
Departments
Liaison with Job Centre Plus, Pension Service,
Fraud on matters of mutual Interests
External
Voluntary
Organizations, e.g.
CAB/Shelter
Provide advice and support in relation to enquiries
relating to specific matters or general advice in
relation to HB/CTRS
Internal
Internal Auditors
To provide information as required.
Internal
4
Internal
External
ID1403 Benefit Assessor
Person Specification
Job Title
Job Evaluation ID
Grade
Benefits Assessor
1403
L06
Requirement
Essential
Qualifications
5 GCSEs Grade C or above including English
and Mathematics, or equivalent experience
Specialist Knowledge
Experience of processing HB/CTRS claims
Detailed Knowledge of HB & CTRS
legislation
Experience of dealing with customers
Experience of using IT systems including
Document Management systems
Use of Northgate Benefits System
Practical and Intellectual Skills
Excellent communication skills both written
and verbal
Ability to work on own initiative and make
rational decisions
Ability to communicate in a clear and
meaningful way to all levels within the
authority.
Personal Attributes
Ability to develop and maintain strong
working relationships
Time Management skills
Welsh Speaker
Personal Circumstances
Commitment to further self development and
training
Ability to travel across the County Borough to
carry out work (e.g. attend meetings / visit
clients or work sites)
Equality
Knowledge of and commitment to Equality
and Diversity
Understanding of the importance of Welsh
Language and Culture
Desirable
Measured
by*
Y
C
Y
Y
F/I
F/I
Y
Y
F/I
F/I
Y
F/I
Y
C/I
Y
F/I
Y
F/I
Y
F/I
Y
Y
F/I
F/I
Y
F/I
Y
Y
F/I
Y
F/I
* Each of the requirements specified must be measurable. Please indicate the
approach that will be taken to assess whether applicants meet the requirements:
F
I
Job Application Form
Interview
C
T
5
Certificate of Qualification
Test