Senior Welfare Benefits Officer


Company:	Derbyshire County Council
Salary:	£18,295 to £20,004 a year
Hours:	Part-time
Location:	Alfreton
Working pattern:	On-site
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	1 Sept 2026
Closing date:	20 Sept 2026

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Summary

Derbyshire County Council's Welfare Rights Service helps Derbyshire residents maximise their income, access the benefits they are entitled to, and receive expert advice and representation when they need it most. In 2025/26, the service supported more than 20,000 Derbyshire residents with benefit enquiries, providing information, advice, casework, and appeal representation.

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our Advice Line and Appeals Team as a Senior Welfare Benefits Officer. This is a specialist role within a respected countywide service that helps residents navigate an increasingly complex welfare benefits system and secure the support to which they are entitled.

The Advice Line and Appeals Team provides the public-facing gateway to the Welfare Rights Service, supporting residents through telephone advice, complex casework, and appeal representation. The team manages referrals from a range of partners and plays a leading role in representing clients at Social Security Tribunals and supporting challenges through to the Upper Tribunal where appropriate.

As a Senior Welfare Benefits Officer, you will be providing high-quality information, advice, and advocacy across a broad range of welfare benefits issues. You will prepare written submissions, negotiate with decision makers, and represent clients at appeal tribunals, helping some of Derbyshire's most vulnerable residents maximise their income and achieve the best possible outcomes.

You will also play an important role in supporting the wider development of the service. Senior Welfare Benefits Officers are expected to maintain specialist expertise in welfare benefits legislation and case law, provide updates and guidance to colleagues, mentor less experienced staff, and contribute to service improvement activities. The role offers the opportunity to develop recognised expertise in a specialist area of social security law whilst continuing to work directly with clients.

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