Senior Housing Benefit Officer
Posted 3 days ago by Tripod Partners
£27 Per hour
Undetermined
Remote
HA1, Harrow, Greater London
Summary: The Senior Housing Benefits Officer role at the London Borough of Harrow is a specialized position focused on managing and resolving complex appeals related to Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support. The successful candidate will be responsible for drafting legal submissions, reviewing disputed decisions, and representing the Council at Tribunal hearings. This position requires expertise in social security legislation and a proven track record in advocacy at Tribunals. The role primarily allows for remote work with occasional local Tribunal attendance.
Key Responsibilities:
- Drafting comprehensive, legally sound written submissions to the First-tier Tribunal.
- Reviewing disputed decisions and handling complex escalations from claimants and representatives.
- Attending and presenting the Council’s case at several Tribunal hearings each month.
- Providing expert advice on Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support legislation.
Key Skills:
- Substantial, recent experience working exclusively on HB/CTS appeals.
- Proven experience in attending and representing a Local Authority at Tribunal hearings.
- In-depth understanding of the Housing Benefit Regulations 2006 and the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act 2000.
Salary (Rate): £27/hour
City: Harrow
Country: United Kingdom
Working Arrangements: remote
IR35 Status: undetermined
Seniority Level: undetermined
Industry: Other
The London Borough of Harrow is seeking a highly skilled and dedicated Senior Housing Benefits Officer to join our team. This is a specialized role focused specifically on the management and resolution of complex appeals. If you are an expert in social security legislation with a proven track record at Tribunals, we want to hear from you.
The Role
Unlike a generalist benefits position, this role is dedicated exclusively to the appeals process. You will be responsible for ensuring that all reconsiderations and submissions are handled with legal precision and within statutory timeframes.
Key Responsibilities:
- Appeals Submissions: Drafting comprehensive, legally sound written submissions to the First-tier Tribunal.
- Reconsiderations & Escalations: Reviewing disputed decisions and handling complex escalations from claimants and representatives.
- Tribunal Representation: Attending and presenting the Council’s case at several Tribunal hearings each month.
- Legislative Expertise: Providing expert advice on Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support legislation.
Requirements
To be successful in this role, you must meet the following criteria:
- Specialist Experience: Substantial, recent experience working exclusively on HB/CTS appeals. We are looking for a specialist, rather than a generalist officer who has handled appeals as part of a wider caseload.
- Advocacy Skills: Proven experience in attending and representing a Local Authority at Tribunal hearings.
- Technical Knowledge: In-depth understanding of the Housing Benefit Regulations 2006 and the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act 2000.
Working Pattern
Flexible Remote Work: Work primarily from home with the equipment provided.