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

Role Overview

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.

Key Responsibilities

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 overpayments.

Challenge overpayments 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.

Essential Criteria

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 overpayments, 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.

Desirable Criteria

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.

Values & Approach

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