Welfare Rights Advisor

About this role

MND Scotland is the only charity in Scotland dedicated to supporting people with MND, their families, and friends.

Since being founded over forty years ago, MND Scotland has provided practical, financial and emotional support to anyone affected by MND whilst also funding essential research into finding effective treatments and a cure. MND Scotland is funded entirely by donations and grants. The charity’s patron is Her Royal Highness, the Princess Royal.

Everything we do, and the way in which we do it, puts the MND Community at our core. The Welfare Rights Advisor’s role is to ensure provision of the advice and practical assistance needed to maximise the financial support available to individuals and families affected by MND.

Reporting to the organisation’s Welfare Rights Lead, you will ensure that people with MND and their families have access to the benefits to which they’re entitled. Ensuring provision of the advice and practical assistance needed to maximise the financial support available to individuals and families affected by MND. You will work with people affected by MND to identify their entitlements, based on their individual circumstances, and submit appropriate applications. Liaising with public bodies, as required, assisting clients in navigating often complex application processes and ensuring speedy access to benefits. Reassuring people with MND that they are being supported through a difficult situation.

You will be a highly motivated individual, have experience in welfare and benefits, have excellent communication skills and enjoy new challenges. A clear understanding of statutory welfare and benefits systems and processes is essential. As well as an awareness of the barriers faced by people with significant illnesses in society. This will enable people with MND to spend their precious time building special memories with their families, rather than worrying about their finances.

If you are someone who works well under pressure, who can manage an often varied and time-sensitive workload and who believes in our vision of a world without motor neuron disease, then we would love to hear from you.

Together we will make time count.

Key responsibilities

  • To provide holistic advice on a range of welfare benefits issues.
  • To offer clients advice and information to maximise their income and to ensure they are
    receiving the correct entitlements. This will include conducting full benefit checks, better off calculations and assisting
    clients to navigate their benefit claims.
  • Provide practical assistance with the process of claims, including form filling and dealing with correspondence on behalf of people affected by MND.
  • Meet with clients and people with MND in various locations, including within their own homes where necessary.
  • Maintain case records for the purpose of continuity of casework, information retrieval, and statistical monitoring and report preparation.
  • Build relationships and negotiate with partner services and external agencies on behalf of people affected by MND.
  • Represent clients at tribunals and appeals when appropriate.
  • Keep up to date with legislation, policies and procedures and undertake appropriate training.
  • Build and maintain relationships with people affected by MND based on mutual respect, dignity and honesty.
  • Present a positive image of the service and organisation at all times.
  • Proactively raise awareness of the wider support services.
Working hours:
35 hours per week
Contract Type:
Full time
Location:
Home based and central Glasgow office as required
Salary:
Grade 5 – £29,030.01 gross per annum
Directorate:
Support Development Directorate
Reports to:
Welfare Rights Lead
Closing date:
5pm Monday 20th May 2024
Interview date:
Week commencing 3rd June 2024

How to apply

To apply please email your CV, covering letter and equal opportunities form to recruitment@mndscotland.org.uk.

Candidates must have the right to work in the UK and show how they demonstrate this e.g., British citizen/EU Settled Status.

About us

Our vision is a world without motor neuron disease. Until that day comes, we are here to make time count for everyone affected by MND in Scotland.

You can help create a world without MND