Senior Housing Benefits Appeals Officer

We're recruiting an experienced and motivated Senior Housing Benefit Appeals Officer to join a proactive Benefits Service within a busy local authority. This is an excellent opportunity for a specialist with strong technical knowledge of Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and financial assessments to make an immediate impact on service performance, quality assurance, and complex casework.

You'll play a key role in managing complex Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit appeal cases, preparing tribunal submissions, providing expert advice, and supporting quality assurance across the service. This role focuses solely on appeals work, with an emphasis on technical accuracy, legislative interpretation and effective representation at hearings.

The role is primarily home-based, however you will be required to attend occasional office meetings and must be able to travel to tribunal hearings several times per month.

The Role
·Support and deputise for the Team Leader, contributing to the management of a team delivering complex Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit assessments.
·Review and assess complex appeal cases, including carrying out home visits where appropriate.
·Lead on Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit appeals, reviewing cases, preparing detailed submissions, and representing the authority at Tribunal hearings.
·Respond to queries and escalations relating specifically to appeals work.
·Oversee quality checking of assessments completed by Benefits Officers, ensuring compliance with DWP Performance Standards and local policies.
·Provide expert technical advice, appeals guidance and knowledge transfer to assessment staff.
·Ensure accurate subsidy administration, supporting delivery of annual external audit requirements.
·Monitor recovery of overpayments and support supervision of overpayments staff when required.
·Manage relationships with internal teams including Revenues, Finance, Adults, Housing, and corporate fraud teams.
·Maintain in-depth knowledge of all relevant legislation including Housing Benefit Regulations 1987, Council Tax Benefit Regulations 1992, Decision & Appeals Regulations 2001, and pension-related regulations.
·Undertake full assessments for complex cases across Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit, Fairer Charging, Supporting People and other financial assessments.
·Attend meetings, surgeries, take-up events and contribute to service improvement initiatives.
·Identify potential fraud cases and refer appropriately.
·Ensure all work is carried out to required standards and support process improvements across the service.

Key Requirements
·Demonstrable recent and relevant experience as a Housing Benefit Appeals Officer, ideally in your most recent role.
·Strong background preparing appeal submissions and representing cases at Tribunal.
·In-depth knowledge of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit legislation, including complex regulations.
·Strong understanding of social care financial assessments, subsidy rules and DWP requirements.
·Minimum of 3 years' experience within a Housing Benefits environment, with a focus on appeals.
·Please note: General Housing Benefit experience will not be considered unless it directly relates to appeals work.
·Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly.
·Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret legislation and assess complex cases accurately.
·Ability to use HB systems confidently and learn Northgate or Civica systems as required.
·Strong numeracy and literacy skills, ideally to GCSE/O-Level standard or equivalent.
·Ability to work independently under pressure with competing priorities.
·Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build effective working relationships across teams.
·Ability to maintain up-to-date knowledge through continuous professional development.
·Ability to travel to Tribunal hearings several times per month.

What You Need to Do Now
If you are interested in this role and meet the criteria above, please click APPLY NOW and send us your application today.

If you do not hear from us within 48 hours of applying, your application has been unsuccessful.

Footnote
If you feel that this job matches your skills but not the rate, location, or seniority, please feel free to send us your CV anyway. We constantly recruit for similar roles across all levels, UK-wide, and would be pleased to speak with you confidentially about your employment status.
Even if you're currently satisfied in your role, we welcome calls from Benefits and Revenues professionals looking to make future connections. Our specialist team at Carrington West has over 100 years of combined experience in this market.
For more information, call Zubair at Carrington West on (phone number removed).
By applying for this position, you agree for Carrington West to hold and process your personal data in accordance with our Data Protection Policy. Your data will only be shared with third-party clients for roles relevant to your application. You may withdraw consent at any time by contacting us.