How to become
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 Revenues and Welfare Benefits Practitioner Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship.
This is sometimes offered by organisations like housing associations and local councils.
Entry requirements
Employers will set their own entry requirements.
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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.
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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: