Benefits Compliance Senior Officer
North Yorkshire County Council
Scarborough, UK
Published 1 week ago
Compliance Management Systems / Technology
Full time
Salary: £37,035- £41,511 per annum
Grade: JK
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time, 37 hours per week
Location: Hybrid - with expectations to work from one of our office bases in Harrogate, Selby, Richmond, Scarborough, Malton, Northallerton, Skipton
Our team...
The Welfare and Benefits Service plays a vital role in supporting residents across North Yorkshire by administering applications for Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, Discretionary Housing Payments, and Exceptional Hardship Awards. Our dedicated team assesses claims, delivering against statutory requirements. We provide expert advice to both our customers and our colleagues across various council services and to our external partners.
Join Our Team!
We are excited to offer opportunities for a Benefit Compliance Senior Officer to join our friendly, supportive, and customer-focused Benefits Compliance Team. If you're highly customer focussed and passionate about making a real difference, we want to hear from you!
Role summary...
As a Benefits Compliance Senior Officer, you will:
• Consider Customer Appeals: Be responsible for the administration of all Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction appeals and reconsiderations in line with the Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit (Decisions and Appeals) Regulations 2001. Prepare appeal bundles for Tribunal hearings and represent the Council at the relevant hearing.
• Provide Technical Advice: Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of the relevant Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction legislation and case law, providing advice, guidance and training to all Service staff in complex and sensitive cases.
• Resolve Customer Complaints: Investigate customer complaints received into the Service, responding with sensitivity and understanding and looking for the best form of resolution.
• Respond to Freedom of Information Requests: Provide a response to all requests received, collating information from across the Service areas and ensuring the response is completed within corporate timescales.
• Contribute to Service Development: Support the Benefits Compliance Manager in identifying areas of Service improvements and development that arise from appeals and complaints received into the service.
• Initiate Service Compliancy - Ensure the Service is compliant with health and safety, data protection and the DWPs Memorandum of Understanding, managing all access to the Employee Authentication Service and ensuring Business Continuity Plans and Risk Registers are maintained.
What we are looking for...
We are seeking individuals with an excellent knowledge of Benefit legislation, a positive and enthusiastic approach to service development and a strong commitment to customer service. Ideally, you will:
• Demonstrate excellent knowledge of Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction and DWP benefit legislation, assessment procedures and associated matters.
• Have experience of preparing and presenting Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction Appeals to Tribunal.
• Possess experience of working in a customer orientated organisation and of dealing with customers on a one-to-one basis
• Be highly customer focussed, responding positively and with empathy when resolving customer issues.
• Have excellent communication skills and be able to explain complex issues and provide guidance across various contact channels.
• Be able to analyse and interpret legal, financial and technical information for implementation and presentation to others.
For more detailed information, please refer to the Job Description.
Additional Information
You may need to travel to other offices in North Yorkshire for training, team meetings and in the administration of some duties. This role involves handling sensitive information, so a basic disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service will be required as part of a BPSS check.
Why Work for us...
We offer a range of great benefits to help you financially and make life a bit easier.
These include:
• Competitive Salary - A salary that reflects your skills and experience, with regular reviews to ensure you're rewarded for your contributions.
• Generous Leave Benefits - An annual leave package starting at 28 days, which increases to 34 days with continued service.
• Flexible Working Scheme - Modern, flexible working practices
• Professional Development - Access to training programs and workshops to support your professional growth and enhance your skills.
• Comprehensive Pension Scheme - A robust pension scheme with a substantial employer contribution.
• Health and Wellbeing Programs: A range of wellness initiatives designed to support your physical and mental health.
• Salary sacrifice scheme
• Employee discount benefits including shopping and gym discounts
• Green car and cycle schemes
• Travel loans
Contact and apply
Ready to take the next step? For an informal conversation about this opportunity, please contact Nicky.Hasson@northyorks.gov.uk .
Applying is easy, simply click the "apply now" button, register your details, remove your personal details from your CV and upload.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Key Documents:
Job Description
Total Rewards Brochure
Key Dates:
Closing Date: 01 June 2025
Shortlisting: W/C 02 June 2025
Interviews: W/C 16 June 2025
Interviews will be held at the Civic Centre, Harrogate.
Postholders are subject to employment clearances to meet Baseline Personnel Security Standards ( link ) which includes identity, employment history, right to work, time spent abroad and unspent criminal record (basic DBS) vetting.
NYC are committed to directly recruiting staff and will not accept applications nor services from agency suppliers in respect of our vacancies.
We are committed to meeting the needs of our diverse community and aim to have a workforce reflecting this diversity. We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
North Yorkshire Council (NYC) advertise vacancies on behalf of schools and external organisations (third parties) in North Yorkshire. NYC are not responsible for the recruitment/employment practices of third parties and accept no liability in relation to the vacancy and any subsequent recruitment/employment processes. Enquiries regarding the vacancy or practices should be made directly with the third party.
North Yorkshire Councils' purpose is to deliver services and facilities to the diverse residents and visitors of North Yorkshire. To ensure we deliver inclusive services we strive to have a diverse workforce where everybody can be themselves by respecting differences and embedding equality of opportunity. We celebrate diversity and recognise each other's contributions; we therefore welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds.
North Yorkshire Council are committed to the health and safety of our employees and of others including the general public. It has a responsibility to ensure employees who hold a position that is deemed to be safety critical as it requires the performance of duties which are directly related to the safe operation or security of a facility, piece of equipment or vehicle, handling of chemicals or work at height or in confined spaces and which, if not performed properly, could result in a serious safety risk or environmental hazard to employees, a facility or the general public , do not attend work whilst under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Individuals offered employment with North Yorkshire Council will be subject to the Workplace Substance Misuse policy. For safety critical roles as detailed above, random alcohol and drug testing may take place during the course of employment.
Apply now
Grade: JK
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time, 37 hours per week
Location: Hybrid - with expectations to work from one of our office bases in Harrogate, Selby, Richmond, Scarborough, Malton, Northallerton, Skipton
Our team...
The Welfare and Benefits Service plays a vital role in supporting residents across North Yorkshire by administering applications for Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, Discretionary Housing Payments, and Exceptional Hardship Awards. Our dedicated team assesses claims, delivering against statutory requirements. We provide expert advice to both our customers and our colleagues across various council services and to our external partners.
Join Our Team!
We are excited to offer opportunities for a Benefit Compliance Senior Officer to join our friendly, supportive, and customer-focused Benefits Compliance Team. If you're highly customer focussed and passionate about making a real difference, we want to hear from you!
Role summary...
As a Benefits Compliance Senior Officer, you will:
• Consider Customer Appeals: Be responsible for the administration of all Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction appeals and reconsiderations in line with the Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit (Decisions and Appeals) Regulations 2001. Prepare appeal bundles for Tribunal hearings and represent the Council at the relevant hearing.
• Provide Technical Advice: Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of the relevant Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction legislation and case law, providing advice, guidance and training to all Service staff in complex and sensitive cases.
• Resolve Customer Complaints: Investigate customer complaints received into the Service, responding with sensitivity and understanding and looking for the best form of resolution.
• Respond to Freedom of Information Requests: Provide a response to all requests received, collating information from across the Service areas and ensuring the response is completed within corporate timescales.
• Contribute to Service Development: Support the Benefits Compliance Manager in identifying areas of Service improvements and development that arise from appeals and complaints received into the service.
• Initiate Service Compliancy - Ensure the Service is compliant with health and safety, data protection and the DWPs Memorandum of Understanding, managing all access to the Employee Authentication Service and ensuring Business Continuity Plans and Risk Registers are maintained.
What we are looking for...
We are seeking individuals with an excellent knowledge of Benefit legislation, a positive and enthusiastic approach to service development and a strong commitment to customer service. Ideally, you will:
• Demonstrate excellent knowledge of Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction and DWP benefit legislation, assessment procedures and associated matters.
• Have experience of preparing and presenting Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction Appeals to Tribunal.
• Possess experience of working in a customer orientated organisation and of dealing with customers on a one-to-one basis
• Be highly customer focussed, responding positively and with empathy when resolving customer issues.
• Have excellent communication skills and be able to explain complex issues and provide guidance across various contact channels.
• Be able to analyse and interpret legal, financial and technical information for implementation and presentation to others.
For more detailed information, please refer to the Job Description.
Additional Information
You may need to travel to other offices in North Yorkshire for training, team meetings and in the administration of some duties. This role involves handling sensitive information, so a basic disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service will be required as part of a BPSS check.
Why Work for us...
We offer a range of great benefits to help you financially and make life a bit easier.
These include:
• Competitive Salary - A salary that reflects your skills and experience, with regular reviews to ensure you're rewarded for your contributions.
• Generous Leave Benefits - An annual leave package starting at 28 days, which increases to 34 days with continued service.
• Flexible Working Scheme - Modern, flexible working practices
• Professional Development - Access to training programs and workshops to support your professional growth and enhance your skills.
• Comprehensive Pension Scheme - A robust pension scheme with a substantial employer contribution.
• Health and Wellbeing Programs: A range of wellness initiatives designed to support your physical and mental health.
• Salary sacrifice scheme
• Employee discount benefits including shopping and gym discounts
• Green car and cycle schemes
• Travel loans
Contact and apply
Ready to take the next step? For an informal conversation about this opportunity, please contact Nicky.Hasson@northyorks.gov.uk .
Applying is easy, simply click the "apply now" button, register your details, remove your personal details from your CV and upload.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Key Documents:
Job Description
Total Rewards Brochure
Key Dates:
Closing Date: 01 June 2025
Shortlisting: W/C 02 June 2025
Interviews: W/C 16 June 2025
Interviews will be held at the Civic Centre, Harrogate.
Postholders are subject to employment clearances to meet Baseline Personnel Security Standards ( link ) which includes identity, employment history, right to work, time spent abroad and unspent criminal record (basic DBS) vetting.
NYC are committed to directly recruiting staff and will not accept applications nor services from agency suppliers in respect of our vacancies.
We are committed to meeting the needs of our diverse community and aim to have a workforce reflecting this diversity. We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
North Yorkshire Council (NYC) advertise vacancies on behalf of schools and external organisations (third parties) in North Yorkshire. NYC are not responsible for the recruitment/employment practices of third parties and accept no liability in relation to the vacancy and any subsequent recruitment/employment processes. Enquiries regarding the vacancy or practices should be made directly with the third party.
North Yorkshire Councils' purpose is to deliver services and facilities to the diverse residents and visitors of North Yorkshire. To ensure we deliver inclusive services we strive to have a diverse workforce where everybody can be themselves by respecting differences and embedding equality of opportunity. We celebrate diversity and recognise each other's contributions; we therefore welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds.
North Yorkshire Council are committed to the health and safety of our employees and of others including the general public. It has a responsibility to ensure employees who hold a position that is deemed to be safety critical as it requires the performance of duties which are directly related to the safe operation or security of a facility, piece of equipment or vehicle, handling of chemicals or work at height or in confined spaces and which, if not performed properly, could result in a serious safety risk or environmental hazard to employees, a facility or the general public , do not attend work whilst under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Individuals offered employment with North Yorkshire Council will be subject to the Workplace Substance Misuse policy. For safety critical roles as detailed above, random alcohol and drug testing may take place during the course of employment.
Apply now