Welfare Benefits Officer

Derbyshire County Council Welfare Rights Service is committed to maximising the benefits of Derbyshire residents. In the financial year 2023/24 the Welfare Rights Service supported over 25,000 Derbyshire residents with benefit enquiries, providing information, advice, casework, and appeal representation.

Working with Derbyshire Carers Association, we have an exciting new project to support carers across Derbyshire. This is a fixed term project aimed at raising awareness of support for carers and maximising their benefit entitlement.

As a post holder you will work with a Service Development Officer to deliver the project. You will have appointment days across the county at Derbyshire Carers venues providing benefit advice and holding a small case load. You will attend events across Derbyshire to raise awareness of the project and the support available. You will provide briefings and training on related benefits.

The post holder will be based at Parkwood, Alfreton and the position will sit within our Advice Line and Appeals Team. You will provide support on the Advice Line and undertake appeals (including first-tier tribunal representation) alongside the project work to support the wider service offer.

The successful candidate will have a broad range of benefits advice knowledge, advocacy skills for effective practice in tribunals, and demonstrate a passion for working with carers. You will be self-motivated with good presentation and interpersonal skills.

Employees have access to a range of benefits and discounts including:

• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme
• 25 days annual leave per year (rising to 30 days after 5 years continuous service) plus 8 bank holidays.
• Training and development opportunities
• Paid travel expenses if required to travel to other sites
• Smarter travel scheme including access to the cycle to work scheme
• Supportive management and team
• Access to our in-house occupational services which also includes free eye tests, physiotherapy and counselling
• Derbyshire rewards - offering hundreds of discounts and cashback

More details on the benefits of working for the council can be found on our reward and recognition page here

Provisional interview date: Monday 3 February 2025

Due to this post having access to children and/or vulnerable adults, the successful candidate will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check. The possession of a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an applicant from obtaining this post, as all cases are judged individually according to the nature of the role and information provided. Click here to see our policy on criminal background checks.

Apply now and take the first step towards a fulfilling career with us! By joining Derbyshire County Council you will have access to a range of amazing rewards and employee benefits, including our generous annual leave scheme, excellent local government pension and fantastic employee discounts. To discover more detail about the rewards and benefits available to you, click here

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