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Welfare rights adviser

Alternative titles for this job include Welfare benefits adviser, welfare rights officer

Welfare rights advisers give free advice to the public to help them get the financial support they are entitled to.

Average salary (a year)

£23,000 Starter

to

£42,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

16 to 37 a week

You could work

9am to 5pm Mon to Fri

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become Welfare rights adviser

You can get into this job through:

  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • volunteering
  • applying directly

Apprenticeship

You may be able to apply to do a Debt Adviser Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, or a Revenues and Welfare Benefits Practitioner Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship.

These apprenticeships are sometimes offered by organisations like housing associations and local councils.

Entry requirements

Employers will set their own entry requirements.

More Information

Work

You could start as an admin assistant with an advice organisation and gain experience before taking further training in welfare rights.

Some organisations offer trainee adviser roles. You might start out giving general advice and referring clients to relevant services, or help them to fill in forms.

Numeracy and literacy skills are very important. Employers also value good communication skills and the ability to understand complex written information.

Work in similar fields like community support or with a local authority can be helpful.

Volunteering

A common way to start is by volunteering in an advice centre.

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

You can search for volunteering opportunities through:

Direct Application

You can apply to an advice agency for a range of different jobs, or for a trainee position.

Experience of supporting people with welfare rights issues can be helpful, for example:

  • working out eligibility for support
  • making claims
  • challenging decisions

Personal experience of dealing with the benefits system can also be useful.

A background in working with the public may also give you an advantage. 

This might include:

  • advice roles with a local council or Jobcentre Plus
  • tenancy support roles, for example with housing associations
  • work in the legal or finance professions
  • community outreach
  • care support work or counselling

Once working, your employer will give you training in welfare rights advice.

More Information

Career tips

Gaining experience by volunteering or working in a related role where you support people on low incomes can give you an advantage when applying for jobs.

The ability to speak a community language or British Sign Language can be helpful for some work.

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the National Association of Welfare Rights Advisers for networking opportunities, access to resources and to share information on best practice.

Further information

You can find out more about working in welfare rights from:

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • a desire to help people
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • maths skills
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • the ability to work well with others
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a welfare rights adviser, you could:

  • work with clients to check they are claiming all the support they are entitled to
  • help clients with paper and online form filling
  • advise clients about appeals and support them at tribunals
  • update case notes and confidential records
  • train staff and volunteers
  • keep up to date with welfare laws and reforms
  • work with benefits agencies, local authorities and charities

Your exact duties will depend on your role and level of responsibility within your organisation.

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 emotionally demanding.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience and training, you could become a team leader or advice centre manager.

You may wish to specialise, for instance, working with:

  • older people
  • people with disabilities
  • specific benefits, like Universal Credit

You might also move into policy research or business development.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Customer Services Apprentice (Revenues & Benefits)

  • Wage: £21,624 a year Annually
  • Location: West Paddock, Leyland

Courses In England

Information Advice & Guidance L2

  • Provider: Norfolk County Council Adult Learning
  • Start date: 04 February 2025
  • Location: Not known

Information, Advice or Guidance (IAG) - Level 3 Certificate

  • Provider: NOTTINGHAMSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
  • Start date: 15 January 2025
  • Location: Not known

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