Citizens Advice in West Sussex (North, South, East)
Mental Health Debt and Benefits Advisor
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Mental Health Debt and Benefits Advisor
We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate Mental Health Debt and Benefits Advisor to join the team. This is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful difference to the lives of people experiencing mental health challenges by providing specialist welfare benefits and debt advice.
Contract type: Fixed Term contract - 12 months
Hours: Part-time, 22.5 per week
Location: Crawley office and co-located with Heads On housing support services
Salary: £28,000 FTE depending on experience.
Closing date: 20th September 2026
Interview dates: w/c 30 September 2026
About the Role
You will support clients to maximise their income, address debt issues, improve financial wellbeing, and overcome barriers that impact their recovery and quality of life. Working closely in West Sussex with healthcare professionals, community services, and partner organisations, you will provide a holistic advice service tailored to individual needs.
As a Mental Health Debt and Benefits Advisor, you will:
- Provide specialist benefits advice and debt casework to individuals affected by mental health problems.
- Take an income maximisation approach by identifying grants, charitable funding opportunities, and other sources of financial support.
- Complete benefit application forms and assist clients with mandatory reconsiderations, appeals, and challenges to benefit decisions.
- Deliver timely, accurate, and person-centred advice, ensuring clients receive a holistic service that addresses wider support needs.
- Provide advice across a variety of settings, including hospitals, healthcare outreach locations, community venues, and office environments.
- Develop strong working relationships with healthcare professionals, referral partners, and internal teams to manage referrals and progress client cases effectively.
- Support clients through multiple communication channels, including face-to-face appointments, telephone, email, video conferencing, and written correspondence.
- Ensure compliance with Advice Quality Standard (AQS) requirements, organisational policies, and quality assurance procedures.
- Maintain accurate case records, client outcomes, monitoring information, and funder reporting requirements using case management systems.
- Meet personal and team performance targets while contributing positively to service development and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Participate actively in team meetings, supervision, training, and professional development activities.
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About You
We are looking for someone who has:
- Experience of providing welfare benefits advice and/or debt advice.
- Knowledge of the UK benefits system, including disability and means-tested benefits.
- Understanding of debt advice processes, budgeting, and income maximisation.
- Experience supporting vulnerable clients with complex needs.
- Strong interviewing, communication, and advocacy skills.
- Ability to manage a varied caseload and prioritise competing demands effectively.
- Experience maintaining accurate records and using case management systems.
- Ability to work collaboratively with external agencies and multidisciplinary professionals.
- Commitment to equality, inclusion, client confidentiality, and safeguarding principles.
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A Trainee post may be considered for the right candidate
A DBS will be required for this role
How to apply:
You will need to fill in an application form, addressing the person specification. We reserve the right to close the advert early so don’t wait, apply now so you become part of this growing team.
About the Organisation
Join a local charity helping people of all ages and backgrounds with the support of amazing volunteers. The mission is to provide accessible and reliable information that empowers people to make informed decisions and achieve their goals.
You may have experience in other roles such as Debt, Welfare, Benefits, Housing, Debt Officer, Welfare Officer, Benefits Officer, Housing Officer, Debt Advisor, Welfare Advisor, Benefits Advisor, Housing Advisor
Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting for the client, Not For Profit People. #INDNFP
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