Welfare Benefits Caseworker for the Macmillan Benefits Advice Service

Staffordshire Macmillan Welfare Benefits Advice Service (Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent) - provides advice, support, information and representation for people who are affected by cancer and are living or receiving treatment within the county and city.

The Welfare Benefits Caseworker will support the Senior Welfare Benefits Officer in delivering a high-quality welfare benefits advice service and in promoting and raising the profile of the Service with other professionals and with client groups.
They will be expected to establish and take responsibility for managing their own caseload., 1. Advising new and existing clients on which benefits they may be entitled to and how to claim them. Assisting with other related issues that they may raise, ensuring a high-quality service.

2. The Macmillan Welfare Benefits Caseworker will help people to fill in welfare benefit applications and/or challenge unfavourable welfare benefit decisions, and keep up to date with benefits legislation.

3. To work as an effective member of the team, undertaking those tasks required of them through their own caseload, and through the overall programme of activity that has been agreed for the team.

4. The Macmillan Welfare Benefits Caseworker will work with colleagues and volunteers on the Disability Solutions Advice Line, to ensure that relevant clients are referred to the team.

5. To agree with each client the most appropriate way of delivering the service to them, whether by phone or face-to-face interviews for example.

6. To work with the Senior Welfare Benefits Officer and the Advice Line Manager / Disability Solutions Appeals Officer on the preparation of cases for appeal, when benefit applications have been rejected, and when required to attend tribunal hearings with clients to support them through the appeal process.

7. To maintain accurate records relating to the clients related activity and interventions within their caseload, ensuring that follow-up procedures are followed to ensure quality and client satisfaction.

8. To establish good working relationships with other professionals and agencies. When requested, to assist with training of health care professionals.

9. To ensure that suitable confidentiality and data protection procedures are followed at all times.

10. To manage and prioritise own workload in agreement with the line manager, to participate in regular team meetings and work as part of a team to ensure the smooth and effective running of DSWM.

11. To maintain the highest standards of conduct at all times. To carry out the duties of the post with strict adherence to all DSWM policies and procedures, to consult and liaise with the line manager with regards to the key aspects of the work, and to supply monthly statistics and other information as required.

12. To be aware of and raise awareness of any health and safety issues affecting themselves, colleagues and clients.

Disability Solutions expects all its staff to maintain the highest standards in terms of presentation, client satisfaction, interpersonal relationships and integrity and will support all staff to achieve these.
This job description is not exhaustive, and the post holder may from time to time be asked to undertake other duties appropriate to their overall role as requested by the Senior Welfare Rights Officer or the Advice Line Manager.

Staff Development

1. All staff undergo an induction programme that gives clear guidance of the aims and values of the organisation and acceptable standards of performance and behaviour in carrying out their role.
2. The post holder will receive regular one-to-one supervision and support in line with DSWM policy.
3. Further training opportunities for professional and personal development will be provided, as appropriate and according to identified need., The Disability Solutions West Midlands and Macmillan Cancer Support partnership are seeking to appoint a Welfare Benefits Caseworker for the Macmillan Welfare Benefits Service for Staffordshire to support individuals affected by cancer in securing appropriate welfare benefits/grants/services. Based at Disability Solutions (North Staffordshire Medical Institute), the successful candidates will have proven successful experience of working in the welfare benefits advice sector and will have an excellent working knowledge and experience of the welfare benefits system.
The successful candidate will have a full driving licence and daily use of a car.

This 37hrs per week post is worked on a hybrid basis (home-based/office-based Mon-Fri) with a starting salary of £24,838.00 with employer pension contribution and Employee Assistance Programme.

Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.