Benefits Officer

Key Skills

• Good IT skills
• Negotiation skills

Your differences make us different - #achievetogether

North Northamptonshire Council is recruiting within our Revenue and Benefits team for multiple experienced Benefits Officers. The Revenues and Benefits Service is undergoing an exciting restructure, creating multiple opportunities to join the team as a Benefit Officer.

As a Benefit Advisor you will be responsible for establishing eligibility for housing benefit and council tax support, ensuring correct entitlement is awarded and housing benefit subsidy. We are seeking an enthusiastic, dedicated team player who can demonstrate a commitment to providing high‑quality customer service, with patience and a flexible approach. You will handle all aspects of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support, from advising the public on the benefits scheme to decision‑making on benefit awards and payment of benefit.

The ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines will be essential as you deal with sensitive and contentious situations in a busy environment.

• Receiving applications for Housing Benefit and Council tax support and determining eligibility
• Requesting documentation to support claims
• Ensuring correct entitlement is awarded in accordance with legislation
• Processing claims accurately to support Housing Benefit subsidy requirements
• Maintaining and keeping accurate records
• Resolving and responding to customer queries and providing advice
• Proactively identifying false claims
• Issuing invoices
• Recovering Housing Benefit over payments
• Managing all aspects of casework from initial enquiry through to decision‑making and award/payment of benefits

• English and Maths GCSE Grade C or above
• Good IT skills
• 2 years experience assessing claims for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support
• Ability to understand government legislation and keep up to date with changes
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Negotiation skills
• Ability to work well under pressure and meet deadlines
• Good attention to detail
• Ability to work on own initiative
• Ability to use discretion and judgement
• Awareness and understanding of equal opportunities

• A competitive salary
• A pension scheme with significant council contribution, life cover and ill‑health protection
• Many opportunities to develop skills, knowledge and potential in a large unitary council
• Generous leave entitlement (28 days, rising to 33 days) and bank holidays, plus the option to buy up to 10 additional days
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements where practicable
• Employee Assistance Programme, Employee Benefits Scheme, wellbeing support, travel rates at HMRC rates and support for active Employee Network Groups

Our Values and Behaviours define who we are and how we operate, forming the foundation for how we interact with customers, colleagues and service delivery. They are at the forefront of our decision‑making and delivery and are:

• Customer‑focused
• Respectful
• Efficient
• Supportive
• Trustworthy

We are a recognised Disability Confident Employer committed to an inclusive recruitment process and offering interviews to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role. Our Employment and Disability Service provides bespoke support to individuals facing barriers to employment.

The council has Gold status on the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.

• Salary: £31,537 – £32,597 (Annual)
• Working hours:
  
  37 per week
• Contract type:
  Full Time
• Job reference: /126918/8047
• Job category:
  Revenues and Benefits
• Location:
  
  Kettering, United Kingdom
• Closing date: 2 March 2026
• Job posted date: 16 February 2026