Benefits Officer

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About the role

As a Benefits Officer in Merton's Benefits Service, you will play a key role in supporting residents assessing entitlement to Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support and Discretionary awards. Merton has a very experienced team of benefits officers and we’re looking for enthusiastic and driven individuals to join our teams.

The successful candidate will be dealing with customer and other stakeholder enquiries; giving advice, information and assistance in person, by phone, letter and / or other electronic methods. 

About you

You will have:

• Experience of working in a Housing Benefit team at a local Authority.
• An in depth knowledge of Housing Benefit regulations, Council Tax Support and a working knowledge of national welfare benefits.
• Excellent IT skills and experience of effectively using MS Office software such as Word, Excel and Outlook (or equivalent).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with experience of delivering a front line service in a Benefits environment.
• An eye for detail and accuracy with excellent numeracy skills.
• A proven team player with an ability to form strong working relationships with colleagues. 

What we offer

Based at the Civic Centre in Morden, Merton Council offers much more than just a competitive salary. We believe in supporting our staff, fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment, and creating opportunities for personal and professional growth. Here’s what you can expect when you join us:

• A competitive salary and membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Excellent holiday entitlement, including paid leave for new grandparents and an additional day off for your birthday!
• A focus on development.

Working for Merton Council

Merton is a dynamic and thriving borough, offering a unique blend of urban and green spaces, with Wimbledon’s world-renowned tennis courts and bustling local high streets. As part of our team, you’ll be joining an organisation that is driven by our shared values and commitment to the future of Merton.

At Merton Council, we are Merton United—One Borough, One Team. We are committed to nurturing civic pride, building a sustainable future, and creating a borough where sport and active living are at the heart of our communities.

We pride ourselves on creating a workplace that encourages creativity, supports wellbeing, and delivers real, tangible impacts in the community. Our values are:

• We trust each other
• We lead with integrity
• We value inclusion
• We collaborate
• We create new things
• We are proud

Join Merton Council and become part of a forward-thinking team that truly makes a difference to the people who live and work in the borough. For more details about Merton see our Jobs page.

For an informal chat about the role, please contact jane.haylor@merton.gov.uk or wendy.robinson@merton.gov.uk 

Documents

• Job Description and Person Specification