Welfare Debt Officer

Welfare Debt Officer We are looking for an exceptional candidate to join the Local Authorities Revenues and Assessment service as a full time Welfare Debt Officer on a 12-month basis to support financial resilience following the introduction of the Council's Crisis and Resilience Fund which begins in April 2026 This role will primarily focus on providing welfare debt and benefit support, advice and guidance to local residents who may be vulnerable in order to resolve debt issues and maximise their income. This support will predominately be through arranged visits with residents requiring support either through self request or identified by other areas of the team or the authority as a whole. Organisation Cheshire West and Chester Council Location Ellesmere Port Job Category Corporate, Customer Services, Finance Grade CWAC NJC - Grade 7 Salary Min £31,537 per annum Salary Max £34,434 per annum Hours per week 37 Weeks per year 52.143 Employment Type Fixed Term Contract Duration 12 months Closing Date 31/03/2026 Ref No W4419 Documents BABB 8545 Welfare Debt Officer JDPS.docx (Word, 31.87kb) Cheshire West and Chester Council is a place where everyone can Thrive – through our core values of Teamwork, Honesty, Respect, Innovation, Value for Money and Empowerment. We are looking for candidates with at least 2 years experience in delivering a wide range of financial and specialist welfare debt advice and have strong knowledge of welfare benefits. Candidates must have experience of dealing with complex debt enquiries, involuntary voluntary arrangements, bankruptcy and Debt Relief Orders, and must hold Debt Relief Order approved intermediary status along with certificate in money advice practice (or equivalent) This role will be vital to supporting vulnerable or low income residents to manage/resolve their debt as well as maximising their income and preventing financial poverty. Whilst this role will be primarily focused on welfare debt and benefit advice, it may also include basic advice regarding other topics which have an impact on finances such as housing, budgeting and employment support As this role involves visiting customers face to face in their homes to provide welfare debt advice and support, applicants must hold a clean driving licence and have the use of a car to travel in. This role will also require an Enhanced DBS check, however if you do not already hold an Enhanced check, this can be arranged by the Council should you be successful For an informal discussion, please contact the Senior Officer over the Assessment Service Matthew Edwards at matthew.edwards@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk   Please note that this job is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.