Volunteer Adviser - Benefit Forms

Volunteer Adviser – Benefit Forms

Role Description

Volunteer Advisors – Benefit Forms are needed on a Wednesday and Friday to help our clients fill in forms to maximise their income from benefits such as Personal Independence Payments and Disability Living Allowance. 

What does an Adviser for Benefit Forms do? 

1.    Explore a client’s problem with them, research information to provide options, explanation and help with the choices and consequences the client faces.

2.     Assist clients to complete their benefit forms.

3.    Provide advice to clients over the phone, face to face.

4.    Ensure where possible advice leads to positive outcomes for the client, enabling them to feel more confident to deal with their individual problems.

5.    Refer clients internally within Coventry Citizens Advice services or signpost to other specialist agencies, the local authority, or partners as appropriate.

6.    Maintain detailed case records and financial and non-financial outcomes using our case recoding system, Casebook.

What qualities do we look for?   

•    Passionate about helping people 

•    Good at building a rapport with others 

•    Sensitive to other people’s needs 

•    An ability to treat all people with respect and in a non-judgemental manner.

•    Logical and methodical with a natural inclination to detail 

•    Numerate

•    Excellent communication skills both verbal and in writing.

•    Working knowledge of Office 365, particularly Microsoft Word and Outlook and a willingness to learn new systems as required.

·      The ability to research information using reputable sources.

Time commitment

One day per week on a Wednesday or Friday, or flexibly to be split into two half days and time for home learning especially during the initial training period. We ask for a minimum of a year’s commitment to volunteering due to the time it takes to train as a Volunteer Adviser – Benefit Forms.