Benefits Adviser

About us

We are National Energy Action (NEA) - and our vision is to end fuel poverty. Our work to improve and promote energy efficiency brings social, environmental, housing and employment benefits. We believe everyone should be able to afford to keep their homes warm and safe. However, low incomes, high energy bills and poor energy efficiency currently deny this to millions of households across the UK. Never has this been more important than today.

NEA's teams are friendly, knowledgeable and are dedicated to what we do. We are proud of our expertise and proud of the service we deliver to our clients.

We offer colleagues a friendly, rewarding workplace and the chance to build a worthwhile career with a not-for-profit organisation that makes a genuine difference to people's lives each and every day.

The role

This is a time of unprecedented demand for our services at NEA we have a fantastic opportunity for someone to join us in the position of Benefits Adviser on either a full or part time basis. Job Share applications are also welcome. Full time hours are 37 hours per week.

This role provides a rewarding opportunity for an experienced and knowledgeable professional to help the charity deliver its work programme and build its profile amongst regional stakeholders, whilst delivering projects that seek to bring an end to fuel poverty and to the misery of cold homes that is experienced by over 6.5 million households in the UK.

This is a highly rewarding role where knowledge and experience are key. You will provide accurate, comprehensive benefit entitlement advice and support to householders, ensuring they receive the help they need. From initial consultation to form completion, you will be responsible for offering guidance across multiple channels - by phone, online and in person.

NEA's Benefits Entitlements and Claims Support Officers are empathetic, polite and have good listening skills but are also knowledgeable, assertive, and confident. You will obtain relevant information about a client's circumstances and offer accurate guidance about potential eligibility for additional benefit entitlements. This will include the completion of application forms as appropriate. Advice will be given over the phone, via online contact and in face-to-face settings where appropriate.

What you will need to succeed

NEA are seeking skilled and experienced individuals to join our team in a pivotal role supporting low income and vulnerable households.

You will have a strong background in providing welfare benefit advice, including expert advice on welfare rights, including entitlements, systems, claim processes and current legislation and practices; tailored to individual client circumstances. You will have demonstrable experience of providing welfare benefits advice via telephone and face to face is essential.

You will need good organisational skills, excellent communication skills as well as an understanding of the challenges faced by low income, vulnerable or disadvantaged householders.

The role of Benefits Adviser will be part of the Communities Directorate and the postholder will report to Benefits Entitlement and Claim Support Manager

Post holders must be resident within the UK and be able to provide their Right to Work in the UK. Hybrid working is subject to a risk assessment to ensure the working environment is appropriate under health and safety and GDPR requirements.

The job description provides a list of the duties of the post and the person specification provides the list of essential and desirable criteria.

We are offering:

• £29,064 - £34,267 (FTE) - Points 12-22 (plus £3,300 London Weighting if applicable). Appointments are usually made at the starting point of the scale. 11 % non-contributory pension.
• 25 days annual leave (FTE) plus 3 additional days in between Christmas New Year Period when our offices close; plus, all public holidays per annum for full time staff, pro-rata for part time staff.
• Flexible working arrangements including the opportunity for Hybrid working.
• Enhanced family friendly payments.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Employee benefits platform.