Benefit Form Filler

The role

• complete an introduction to Citizens Advice and training for your role
• complete paper and online forms with clients, for example to apply for a benefit, or to complete an application for money or equipment from a charity
• discuss a client’s income and spending with them, and together drawing up a budget
• write a summary of the clients’ problems and what action you’ve taken
• look out for problems’ that are common, or are unfair, and write a short report about the problem or a letter to an elected official like an MP, AM or local councillor

Some examples of what you could do:

• find the information online that explains how to apply for Housing Benefit in a client’s local area and explain it to them
• identify what steps a client can take to resolve their problem with a second hand car
• help a client find and understand what steps they can take to deal with their rent arrears

What’s in it for you?

• make a real difference to people’s lives
• gain in-depth knowledge about specific issues, such as benefits, and debt
• build on valuable skills such as communication, listening and problem solving, and listening, interpreting information and summarising
• increase your employability
• work with a range of different people, independently and in a team
• have a positive impact in your community

And we’ll reimburse expenses too.

What do you need to have?

You don’t need specific qualifications or skills but you’ll need to:

• be friendly and approachable
• be non-judgmental and respect views, values and cultures that are different to your own
• have good listening skills
• have excellent verbal and written communication skills
• have good maths and IT skills
• be able to understand information and summarise it
• be willing to learn about and follow the Citizens Advice aims, principles and policies, including confidentiality and data protection
• be willing to undertake training in your role

How much time do you need to give?

Ideally we ask for 6 hours per week, which can be over one day or spread over two days, for at least 6 months.

We can be flexible so come and talk to us.

Valuing inclusion

Our volunteers come from a range of backgrounds and we particularly welcome applications from disabled people, people with physical or mental health conditions, LGBT+ and non-binary people, and people from Black Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities.

If you are interested in becoming a form filler and would like to discuss flexibility around location, time, ‘what you will do’ and how we can support you please contact us.