Revenues and Welfare Benefits Practitioners perform various roles in local authorities or their contractors, software companies that provide processing services to authorities (such as benefit assessment, revenues calculation or customer service), housing associations or organisations supporting people in their dealings with local authorities. These organisations can range in size and employ from 10 to over 1,000 staff. They deal with many aspects of Council Tax, Business Rates, Housing Benefit, Local Council Tax Support and related matters. Organisations have different structures, with some officers only dealing with one of these aspects and others dealing with multiple aspects. Consequently, the exact responsibilities of the role will vary depending on the employer and exact role in which the individual is employed.
All roles will include:
Dealing with customers appropriately to gather information and provide explanations of often complex matters
Maintaining records in accord with legal requirements
Advising customers to maximise their income and ensure they are receiving all help to which they are entitled
Understanding the issues customers face and the potential solutions to those issues
A role focused on the Revenues aspects typically includes:
Establishing liability for Council Tax and/or Business Rates
Setting up and updating accounts
Calculating the tax due, including eligibility for discounts, exemptions or other reliefs
Arranging for customers to pay the local tax
Taking recovery action as required and appropriate, from issuing a reminder through to submitting a case to court for committal
A role focused on the Welfare aspects typically includes:
Assessing eligibility for Housing Benefit and/or Local Council Tax Support
Calculating benefit entitlement in line with current legislation
Arranging payments of benefits to customers
Re-calculate benefits following changes in circumstances
Taking action to recover overpaid amounts
Finding and reporting suspected fraud
Individuals appointed in a main role in Revenues will also need a practical and technical knowledge of Welfare Benefits and those appointed in a main role in Welfare Benefits will need a practical and technical knowledge of Revenues.
Whether acting on behalf of the local authority or supporting customers in their dealings with the local authority, Revenues and Welfare Officers provide essential support to local residents in dealing with complex matters which affect their daily life. Summary of Standard https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/revenues-and-welfare-benefits-practitioner/ Full Standard https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/media/1929/st0602_revenues-and-welfare-benefits-practitioner_l4_ap-for-publication_220618b.pdf
