About the role:
Welfare Benefits Support is an essential role, supporting clients to navigate application processes which are often found to be complex and overwhelming. You’ll be supporting clients by working with them on applications for Disability Benefits (Personal Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance & UC50 forms), working in one-to-one appointments in a sensitive manner to elicit necessary information.
Time Commitment:
The role involves an initial 8 hours of online training to give a thorough grounding in how best to fill in disability benefit applications, as well as shadowing 2 appointments. This can be done over several weeks.
After completion of training, the time commitment is around 5.5 hours per week, between 9.30am and 3pm (the time it takes for one appointment to apply for benefits and do the follow up admin).
Currently, the role is available on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Due to the training and development associated with the role, we ask for a minimum commitment of 3 months, and ideally more than 6 months.
Qualities and skills required for the role:
- Reliability is a key attribute for this role. This is to ensure that clients are able to meet their application deadlines.
- An empathic approach, showing an ability to listen and ask personal questions sensitively.
- An understanding of, and commitment to, equality, diversity and inclusion.
- An ability to keep confidentiality.
- An ability to work in line with guidelines and descriptors for completing applications.
- Fluent spoken English, good literacy and basic numeracy skills.
- Diligence and good time keeping skills.
- Good record keeping.
- Good computer skills, including the ability to adapt to new platforms, internet use and word processing.
- Lived experience welfare benefits is an asset, but not essential
We offer –
- Thorough induction and role specific training.
- Regular supervision to discuss progress and ongoing development.
- A supportive team environment.
- Reimbursement of reasonable expenses.
- An opportunity to learn about and gain valuable experience of the advice sector.
- An opportunity to work with people from all walks of life.
- A reference, where required.
About us
Started voluntarily by local people, St Pauls Advice Centre has been serving the local community for over 50 years, providing a wealth of experience in delivering advice on debt, welfare benefits and immigration. For many local people, the centre is a go-to for navigating their issues. Volunteers remain greatly important to the advice centre, and for some, their work develops into paid employment.
Since March 2025, St Pauls Advice Centre has been based in a new location above Junction 3 Library.