Welfare Benefits Adviser

Amazing opportunity to join fast-growing organisation supporting older people with benefits help around the UK. Looking for experienced, passionate individuals; team leader roles available also for great candidates.

About Kinly

At Kinly we are on a mission to help older people live independently for longer. We know that old age is expensive and difficult for individuals and their families. Millions of pensioners face major barriers accessing the support they need; whether due to disability, low income, lack of internet or lack of family. We are here to help.

Kinly helps people over-66 to understand what benefits and allowances they are eligible for, and then helps fill-out the various complex forms/applications for them. By unlocking funds for people in need, we help people to afford the support that they need (e.g., carers, taxis, heating).

The business is based in London, but we have agents based remotely all around the UK, helping to make the service accessible to everyone.

About the role

Kinly is looking for a Benefits Adviser to provide benefits advice, complete benefits checks and maximise the income of people over-66, their families and their carers. This includes Attendance Allowance, Pension Credit, Carer’s Allowance, Council Tax and Housing Benefit support. It is a great opportunity to join an amazing team at a pivotal time in our growth, and shape the future direction of the service.

Team leadership roles are available for great candidates.

What We Offer

• Salary: £32,000 – £40,000 per year + annual bonus (based on performance)
  • Team leadership roles available for great candidates (higher salary)
  • Salary open to discussion (based on significant experience)
• Hours: Full-time (Monday – Friday) + holiday
• Contract: Permanent
• Promotion: Opportunities for personal growth and promotions within the company
• Perks: Free Nuffield gym membership
• Location: West Kensington, London (hybrid work possible)
• Start date: As soon as possible

 Main Responsibilities

• Provide benefits advice, benefits checks, form-filling and assistance to clients over-66 relating to disability and Pension Age people (including Pension Credit, Carer’s Allowance, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support, Attendance Allowance, Blue Badge)
• Review completed forms and carry out case checks to ensure quality
• Work with Kinly team in identifying additional ways we can help clients (i.e., other benefits people might be eligible for)
• Speak with clients on the phone to help them with different benefits applications; demonstrating empathy, patience, listening and a good phone manner
• Help to train new colleagues (e.g., systems, form-filling) and provide mentorship
• Help other team members with complex cases
• Maintain good records of cases, using the company’s systems effectively
• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of the benefits system and policies and procedures relevant to the post
• Kinly provides support nationwide. Be aware of how regional differences can affect benefit entitlement (e.g., Local Housing Allowance) and include this knowledge in shaping the service and support
• Uphold Kinly’s high standards of professionalism at all times, living up to our core values of “access for all”, trust and championing older people

* Team leadership roles: great candidates can be offered a Team Leader role for a higher salary than advertised. This role will assist clients, but also help to lead and train the core team of benefits advisers.

Person specification

• Good knowledge of welfare benefits, including those relating to disability and Pension Age people (including Pension Credit, Carer’s Allowance, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support, Attendance Allowance, Blue Badge)
• Strong recent experience of giving advice on welfare benefits –  ideally 2+ years of experience, ideally somewhere like Age UK or Citizens Advice Bureau
• Ability to use tools to conduct benefits checks
• Good understanding of how different benefits impact each other (e.g., premiums in Pension Credit, what Pension Credit unlocks)
• Knowledge of other issues affecting older people including housing, transport, Blue Badges, care funding and community support is important
• Desire to learn about benefits in different regions (e.g., Social Security Scotland)
• Experience of taking welfare benefits claims to reconsideration and appeal
• Great team player, excited about Kinly’s broader mission of helping older people
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Highly compassionate and caring individuals
• Experience of working autonomously and taking responsibility to prioritise work and meet deadlines
• Willingness to participate in opportunities for training and professional development
• Competent and efficient at using a computer and typing (word, pdf, email)

How to apply

Please submit CV and a short cover letter explaining your experience of giving benefits advice and form-filling (where, how long for, and which benefits in particular).