Welfare Rights Officer

Welfare Rights Officers help people understand their rights and relevant laws and legislation.

A Welfare Rights Officer is a professional that works in the health and social care sector, providing bespoke guidance to benefit claimants that require help. They typically work as part of a wider team or local authority, providing expertise around more complicated aspects of welfare such as legislation, rights and related documentation. You will provide people with free, confidential, impartial advice and support on a whole range of welfare benefits. You could be working with people who need support and advice about housing, disability rights, financial issues and much more.

Welfare Rights Officer is also known as Welfare Rights Adviser.

Role Characteristics

Give people free, confidential, impartial advice and support on a whole range of welfare benefits
Help people complete claim forms over the phone
Offer guidance and support when making appeals
Check people’s benefit entitlement and give guidance on using benefit systems
Maintain client records so that the organisation understands exactly where a claimant is in their application and what they're entitled to
Assist with filling in a benefits application, providing advice on what to include in the application and technical concepts people might not understand

Skills

Active listening
Problem-solving
Empathy
Advice giving
Customer service
Communication

Day in the life

Watch this video to find out more about becoming a Welfare Rights Officer.

Routes into this role

Here are some example routes that can lead into this role.

Volunteering or work experience

Apply directly

GCSEs

A-Levels

Degree apprenticeship

How to become

If you’re applying for an entry level role such as a welfare rights admin or assistant, your employer might expect qualifications showing good English and number skills.

It might be useful to have experience working in a similar role or with people who need care and support. You could gain this experience through a work placement, from your personal life, through volunteering (for example in a Citizens Advice Centre) or as part of an apprenticeship.

For more experienced roles you might need a qualification or a degree in a relevant subject such as Community Development or Social Policy.

It is important to check your preferred course provider's entry requirements for guidance.

Where can this role lead

No matter what role you start in or where you are in your career path, there are always opportunities to develop and progress in health and care.

With experience, you could move into specialist advice, for example disability benefits, or progress into management roles. You could also become a Senior Welfare Rights Officer and offer training to Welfare Rights Officers in your team.