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Dear Applicant

RE: Overpayments OfficerPost Ref: 1991

Thank you for your interest in the above post. Please find enclosed in this application pack the following documents:

  • Application Form and Guidance Notes
  • Job Description
  • Person Specification
  • Structure Chart
  • Service Overview

Application Form:

The application form plays a key part in our selection process. We use the information you provide to shortlist for interview.

You are urged to ensure that all the information contained in your application is relevant and that you demonstrate how you meet the criteria on the person specification. Please use the person specification for guidance when filling in the application form.

References: If successful at interview, Ipswich Borough Council will seek to obtain two employment references. Wherever possible the name of your first referee must be from current employment/education and the second from either current or former employment/education. If you cannot provide an “employment” reference please contact the HR Team at Ipswich Borough Council for further assistance.

If you have any recruitment queries, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01473 433402. Please leave your name, number and brief details of your question and a member of the recruitment team will call you back.

Shared Revenues Partnership

Job Description: J94

Overpayments Officer

Main Purpose of Job

To control and administer overpayments of Housing and Council Tax Benefit (including subsidy implications) within the Shared Revenues Partnership

Main Duties

1.To establish recovery mechanism for overpayments of Housing and/or Council Tax Benefit from system reports and referrals. Ensuring the correct classification and encoding of such overpayments and recoverability.

2.Determine from whom recovery should be sought and the most suitable method of recovery. Ensure that the correct notifications and enclosures are sent detailing the overpayments. Consider all current debts owed in making arrangements with the customer.

3.To receive all related correspondence and telephone enquiries responding to them or referring them as appropriate and maintaining suitable records.

4.Make decisions and take the necessary action against accounts requiring recovery action, making arrangements with debtors and taking such action as appropriate in the case of non-payment. Negotiate recovery arrangements; liaise with debtor section and monitor debtors progress of such arrangements.

5.To arrange ongoing deductions through the computer system and monitor their progress.

6.To advise claimants and landlords of their rights and remedies where recovery is sought. To respond to requests for Written Statements and undertake to revise decisions pertaining to recovery. Maintain records ensuring legal time limits are adhered to.

7.To maintain statistical information on the level, type, classification and recovery of overpayments for the Area concerned.

8.Make recommendations for debts for write-off as appropriate.

9.Implement further recovery for non-payment using county courts, Bailiffs or attachment as appropriate.

10. Pursue recovery via telephone and home visit including out of hours contact as required.

11.Such variations as may be required from time to time without changing the general character of the duties shown above or the level of responsibility entailed.

Person Specification – J94
Job Title: Overpayments Officer
ATTRIBUTES / ESSENTIAL / DESIRABLE / METHOD OF ASSESMENT
Qualifications / 2 years’ experience in a similar role or 1 A Level or NVQ Level 3 in a relevant field. / Relevant Benefits Qualification such as IRRV (tech) / Certificates / Application form
Relevant experience / Experience of working in a similar role
Experience of solving complex numerical calculations
Experience of Performance Managed culture, working to personal and team targets
Experience of using R&B software systems
Computer skills: databases; word processing, email
Experience of working through change
Experience of contribution to service improvement and process re-engineering
Demonstrate strong customer focus approach / Ability to make decisions / recommendations and give advice based on policies and procedures
Ability to investigate and interpret complex benefit cases
Specialist knowledge / Up to date knowledge of Housing / Council tax Benefit Regulations and Legislation
Data Protection Act / Basic knowledge of Revenues legislation / Application form / Interview
Personal skills / Ability to communicate with people of all levels, external organisations and members of the public
Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a Team
Can organise / prioritise own workload and meet deadlines
Ability to approach work flexibly with a can-do attitude
Special working conditions / A basic disclosure from Disclosure Scotland is required for this post. / May be required to work outside normal working hours
Able to travel to sites including rural locations without public transport

Ipswich Borough Council

Shared Revenues Partnership

(SRP)

The Shared Revenues Partnership was formed in April 2011 to provide Revenue and Benefit services for Babergh District, Ipswich Borough and Mid Suffolk District Councils.

Revenues and Benefits services include the billing and collection of Council Tax and Business Rates, the calculation of discounts and reductions, granting of exemptions, the calculation and award of Housing Benefit on behalf of the Department of Work and Pensions and the administration of the Local Council Tax Reduction scheme.

Based at Grafton House, SRP staff have accommodation and support services provided by Ipswich Borough Council although our operating costs are funded by the partnership authorities. Whilst there have been synergies from forming the partnership, each authorities identity has been maintained and our customers still transact with their local council.