Welfare Benefits Specialist

Are you seeking a role that offers not just competitive pay and benefits, but also the chance to contribute to a cause that truly matters?

At Auriga Services, we’ve been dedicated to creating lasting impacts for those facing poverty for two decades, and now, we’re looking for a talented Welfare Benefits Specialist to join our Assist team.

Key Responsibilities:

• Working with and supporting vulnerable people of all ages and abilities to try to maximise their income and improve their financial circumstances and wellbeing. You will establish a relationship based on trust to ensure you provide the necessary support and assistance;
• Develop and manage interviews with clients using sensitive listening and questioning skills in order to
  allow clients to explain their problem(s); Complete an initial assessment of a client’s needs to identify areas where support is required and plan next steps/ provide support throughout the process;
• Actively encourage engagement from clients referred through to the service from both internal andexternal sources;
• To carry a caseload of enquiries requiring detailed ongoing casework.
• To maintain accurate and appropriate records relating to each case, recording all activity, interventions and outcomes within the
  case record whilst ensuring that correct procedures are followed, to ensure quality standards are met;
• Helping people to apply for welfare benefits, trust funds, OT assessments etc. As well as assisting with completing mandatory reconsiderations and representing people at tribunal;
• Manage your own workload, administration and diary commitments;
• Travel off site to attend dialysis units where required;
• To ensure a high-quality service to customers including, but not limited to, face to face, telephone, written and emails;
• Work with colleagues, stakeholders and health and social care professionals to evaluate caseload needs and the progress that has been made;
• Provide some technical supervision to support the Welfare Benefit Advice team in their roles to ensure the service is accurate, effective and tailored to the individuals’ circumstances
• To keep up to date and share knowledge with the team on legislation, case law, policies and procedures and undertake appropriate training as and when required;
• Able to proactively identify own training and development needs and those of others;
• Ability to work within and adhere to organisational policies and procedures and ensure work meets internal and external SLAs;
• Comply with the requirements of GDPR; and
• Carry out other duties commensurate with the post as required.

Keys Skills and Attributes

• Be required to hold an enhanced disclosure barring certificate;
• Have an in-depth and up to date understanding of the welfare benefits system;
• Knowledge of services provided by the NHS, social care, trust funds and/or debt services;
• Experience of providing a specialist tribunal service or other representation to customers;
• Effective active listening techniques;
• Being able to understand and encourage others to contribute and debate ideas;
• Organisational skills;
• Focused on continuous improvement;
• Adaptable interpersonal skills both in formal and informal situations;
• High level written, verbal and presentation skills;
• Ability to monitor and maintain own performance targets;
• A flexible approach and ability to work as part of a team effectively to meet all objectives and targets;
• Educated to GCSE level (or equivalent by experience);
• At least 2 years’ experience in the advice sector;
• Experience of providing a specialist tribunal service or other representation to customers;
• Excellent and up to date working knowledge of the benefits system

The Company: Auriga Services is a Public Benefit Entity that has been operating for 20 years and is owned by a registered charity – Evnia Charitable Trust.  As a wholly owned subsidiary, Auriga is the commercial arm of Evnia.  Our charity-owned status makes us as unique in the marketplace, which allows us to genuinely care about creating better and lasting impacts for vulnerable people and households in poverty.  

Enjoy the rewards: Working with us, you’ll enjoy competitive pay, 28 days holidays plus bank holidays, a wide range of benefits, hybrid working, and the chance to learn valuable new skills. We empower our people to do great work by investing in learning, personal development, and technology.

If you’re the kind of person that wants to do a really great job, who cares about making a difference we think you’ll love it here.

Applicants must already have the right to work in the United Kingdom, as we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this role.