Welfare Rights Officer

Typical Salary

£21,000 To £29,000

Typical Hours

37 to 40 a week

evenings / weekends occasionally

How To Become a Welfare Rights Officer

You can get into this job through:

an apprenticeship
working towards this role
volunteering
applying directly

College / University

Apprenticeship

You could complete a revenue and welfare benefits adviser higher apprenticeship if you're working for a local authority or advice organisation.

4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

experience in related work

Routes into this Career

You could start as an admin assistant with an advice organisation and work your way up with further training in welfare rights.

You'll usually need GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent qualifications, in English and maths.

You can apply for jobs if you have experience of supporting people facing difficult situations, for example, those with money, family or housing problems.

Other Routes

Other Routes are not listed for this job.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

knowledge of psychology
patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
sensitivity and understanding
customer service skills
the ability to work well with others
the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
to be thorough and pay attention to detail
counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Day To Day Tasks

Your daily tasks may include:

checking clients are claiming all the benefits they can
helping people fill in forms
helping clients get ready for appeals
taking the place of clients at appeal tribunals
working with benefits agencies and other organisations
referring clients
keeping confidential records
learning about relevant laws and welfare reforms
publicising your service or campaigns
training staff and volunteers

Working Environment

You could work in the community, at a client's home, in a court, in an NHS or private hospital or at an outreach centre.

Your working environment may be humid and hot.

Career Path & Progression

Career Path & Progression are not listed for this job.

Volunteering Opportunities

Many people start by volunteering in an advice centre.

As a volunteer you would receive training in interviewing skills and advice topics like welfare benefits and housing. It can take between 6 and 12 months to get enough experience to apply for jobs.

You can search for volunteering opportunities on the Do-it website.

Tips & Information

Career tips

A qualification in counselling, legal work or advice and guidance could be useful, though your employer may give you on-the-job training.

The ability to speak a second language or a qualification in British Sign Language could be helpful.

Further information

You can find out more about working in welfare rights from Citizens Advice and AdviceUK.

Restrictions & Requirements

You'll need to:

pass enhanced background checks