Processor​/Benefits Officer

Housing Benefit Processor / Housing Benefits Officer

Location: Leeds
Reporting to: Housing Benefit Team Leader
Salary: £23,500-£25,000 per annum
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full-time

We are seeking an experienced and detail-focused Housing Benefit Processor / Housing Benefits Officer to manage, process, and monitor housing benefit claims within an all-male supported housing environment
. The successful candidate will ensure housing benefit claims are accurately processed, reconciled, and maintained
, working closely with Leeds City Council
, landlords, and internal finance teams. This role is critical to ensuring service users receive their correct benefit entitlements promptly while maintaining compliance with housing benefit legislation and local authority requirements.

• Process, manage, and monitor Housing Benefit claims from application to payment.
• Ensure all housing benefit payments are received, identifying missed, delayed, or rejected payments.
• Complete and submit changes of circumstances accurately and in a timely manner.
• Reconcile housing benefit accounts and resolve payment discrepancies, suspensions, and over payments
  .
• Challenge over payments and incorrect decisions with Leeds City Council on behalf of service users.
• Liaise regularly with local authorities, landlords, finance teams, and external agencies regarding claim status.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date service user records across Airtable, spreadsheets, databases, and internal systems
  .
• Set and manage rent settings
  , ensuring alignment with housing benefit entitlements and lease agreements.
• Administer head leases for new properties, ensuring documentation is completed correctly and stored securely.
• Advise service users on housing benefit eligibility, evidence requirements, and application processes
  .
• Provide basic budgeting and financial guidance related to rent and benefit payments.
• Identify, escalate, and resolve delays or issues with housing benefit claims.
• Work collaboratively with housing, finance, and support teams to meet service users  housing needs.
• Stay up to date with housing benefit legislation, welfare reform, and local authority guidance
  .
• Attend team meetings, supervision, and training sessions as required.

• Proven experience in Housing Benefit administration
  , welfare benefits, or financial support services.
• Strong knowledge of Housing Benefit regulations
  , local authority processes, and claim management.
• Experience liaising with Leeds City Council or similar local authorities.
• Demonstrable experience managing changes of circumstances
  , rent settings, and benefit reconciliations.
• Experience challenging over payments, suspensions, and incorrect benefit decisions
  .
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail in data handling and record keeping.
• Strong administrative, organisational, and time-management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Confident using Microsoft Office (Excel, Word),
  Airtable
  , spreadsheets, and databases.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information in line with GDPR.
• Commitment to supporting vulnerable adults in a supported housing setting.

• Experience working in supported housing
  , homelessness services, or residential support settings.
• Knowledge of Universal Credit, Council Tax Support, or other welfare benefits
  .
• Experience working in an all-male or gender-specific supported environment
  .

• Respectful, professional, and non-judgemental approach to all service users.
• Strong commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion
  .
• Proactive, solution-focused mindset with the ability to work independently.
• Flexible and adaptable to changing service user and organisational needs.