Job description
Job title: / Income Benefits Maximisation Officer
Responsible to: / Income Team Leader
Responsible for: / N/A
Purpose of post: / Responsible for the maximisation of rent collection via promotion of income maximisation for our tenants.
To identify innovative, preventative and pro-active approaches for collection of rent, rent arrears and other related income.

KeyAchievement Areas:

  1. To provide tenants with a full welfare benefit advice service.
  2. To identify tenants experiencing financial exclusion and target resources accordingly providing simple debt advice
  3. To deal with all aspects of welfare benefit/housing benefit queries
  4. To advise and represent tenants through a court and tribunal setting
  5. To provide local surgeries, identify take up issues with groups and to plan and prepare locally based take up events.
  6. To work with external partnerships and agencies referring and signposting tenants, and support with any benefit queries/issues
  7. To promote effective support to the Income Team Leader in pursuance of achieving an excellent income and debt recovery service ensuring that MVH complies with pre-court action protocol.
  8. To work closely with other colleagues to ensure that the overall aims and objectives of MVH are achieved.
  9. To facilitate and teach in a classroom setting financial skills to tenants ensuring they are not financially excluded.
  10. To keep clear case records and monitor the number of clients helped and claims made, recording full details and outcomes
  11. Develop ways to encourage automations of rent payments via direct debit or other payment methods with particular emphasis on those more vulnerable customers.
  12. To actively pursue own development and take advantage of learning and development opportunities and to keep up to date with relevant legislation, case law and policies relevant to the role.
  13. To promote digital inclusion to tenants.

General Responsibilities

  1. We have a Corporate Strategy that sets out our goals and objectives. . All employees are expected to contribute to this Strategy and live its values. This includes supporting the values of the Mutual and fostering positive relationships with colleagues and tenants. They will also champion wider social goals of community regeneration, fairness, empowerment and education.
  1. Merthyr Valleys Homes is a tenant and employee mutual and a quality repairs and maintenance service is at the forefront of making this partnership work for its members.
  1. This job description is current at the date shown, but in consultation with you, it can be changed.
  1. This is a key post in the management of not just the PST but also as a member of the MVH senior management team. The postholder will be creative and innovative in generating solutions that bring tangible benefits and outcomes. S/he will lead change effectively and create an environment that allows constructive challenge and a developing workforce.
  1. Diversity and Equal Opportunities are important to us and we expect all employees to support our policies and values in this area.
  1. MVH operates a number of policies and procedures that you will expected to comply with.
  1. No job profile can cover every issue which may arise within the post at various times, and the job holder is expected to carry out other duties as requested by the Board and Chief Executive from time to time.

No job profile can cover every issue which may arise within the post at various times, and the job holder is expected to carry out other duties as requested by the Board and Chief Executive from time to time.

Person specification
Job title: / Income Benefits Maximisation Officer (Pre Tenancy)
Essential / Desirable
Experience
  • Experience in welfare reform and providing welfare benefits advice. housing management – rent arrears, tenancy / residency issues/ welfare benefits
  • Experience of providing advice services to a wide range of customers, including the vulnerable and socially excluded.
  • Awareness of budgeting issues affecting vulnerable tenants
  • Experience of a customer focused approach to service delivery
  • Understanding and experience of tribunal processes as related to welfare benefits.

  • Knowledge and understanding

  • The ability to adhere to and implement MVHs Policy & Procedures, particularly confidentiality and equal opportunities.
  • Knowledge of maximizing financial capability and ability to guide others.
  • Understands the importance of maximising income / other funding streams
  • Able to use own initiative within defined procedures
  • Empathetic and non-judgmental
  • Health & Safety and self-awareness for lone working.
  • Have up to date understanding of social housing and the work of RSLs
/
  • Good facilitation skills and ability to deliver training and guidance to groups.
  • Experience of using a finance based system

  • Personal skills and qualities

  • Able to use IT equipment and software e.g. MS Office, Excel
  • The ability to work under pressure, and to deadlines.
  • Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.
  • Computer literate and fully conversant with ICT systems.
  • Able to organise time effectively
  • Ability to work under own initiative and as part of a team, maintaining constructive working relationships
  • Ability to priorities tasks, solve problems and work within constant tight deadlines

  • Qualifications

  • Educated to GCSE level or equivalent in Maths and English
  • CRB check required
/
  • Qualifications in Welfare Benefit advice