Benefits are usually payments to those who do not have current employment that are made by the state. They include welfare, which usually covers a person’s basic needs, and payments which may match a person’s previous salary as part of a social security scheme. Payments of this type are usually made on the proviso that an individual is actively seeking to get re-employed. They may also include help with paying housing costs and council tax charges. Other forms of benefit may be paid to those who are for some reason incapable of working or who demand financial help from the state because they cannot currently cope with their particular situation without aid
Jobs in this sector usually involve trying to help people get off state financial support where possible. Working in a job centre involves giving those without employment advice on how best to market themselves to potential employers. The job can be challenging and a high degree of interpersonal skill is required
A housing benefits officer usually deals with the processing of claims for council tax and housing benefits and as such needs good numerical skills and excellent attention to detail. The average salary in this sector is around £27,000.