Benefit Advocate

This volunteer position is an integral part of the Information and Advice (I&A) Team. The role involves completing disability benefit forms through face-to-face appointments with older people and their carers or family, usually in their own home

Where: 

We are looking for Benefit Advocate Volunteers in East Devon, Mid Devon, West Devon and Torridge.

When:

To be mutally agreed.

Key Responsibilities

• Completing benefit entitlement forms such as Attendance Allowance and Carers Allowance.
• Raising awareness of and promoting Age UK Devon services to clients.
• Recording details of enquiries in order that I&A advisers can follow up with clients.

Skills Required:

• Empathy and compassion.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written).
• Ability to complete forms.
• Commitment.
• Reliability.
• Knowledge of the Benefits System and current Welfare Reform.

Our commitment to you:

• We will complete a volunteer induction with you providing information about Age UK Devon, the services we provide and full details of the volunteering role.
• We will provide training on the Benefits System and how to complete benefit entitlement forms.
• You will be invited to our annual Benefit Advocate training meeting where we will ensure you are updated on any changes to the benefit system and have the opportunity to meet our Benefit Advocate Volunteer Team.
• A named person will be on hand to provide you with support. 
• Any travel expenses you incur to fullfill the volunteering role.
• You will gain experience of working with older people and their carers.
• You will become apart of the Age UK Devon volunteering team, receiving our regular Volunteering eNewsletter and the opportunity to take part in events/celebrations for our volunteers.
• Free participation at sessions.

If you would like an informal chat about this role please contact Sarah Gunn, Advice and Wellbeing Manager on 0333 241 2340 or info@ageukdevon.org.uk.