Job Description

Housing Benefit Assessment Officer

Haringey

Job Role

To accurately, efficiently and courteously assess entitlement for Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support and discretionary funds, such as Discretionary Housing Payments, in accordance with statutory provisions and local policies and procedures.

Main Responsibilities

Assess applications, statements and evidence for accuracy, request additional evidence, where necessary, and calculate entitlement in accordance with legislation and local policies.

Ensure ongoing entitlement is correct by investigating and processing change of circumstances quickly and accurately in accordance with legislation and local policies and procedures.

To undertake reviews of entitlement as and when required, utilising information from all relevant sources.

Correctly determine overpaid amounts of benefit, decide whether the overpayment is recoverable, identify the liable party and commence appropriate recovery action.

Determine and advise on applications for discretionary funds, such as Discretionary Housing Payments.

Be alert to identify attempts to defraud or abuse the Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support system and to refer cases for further investigation.