Welfare Benefits Volunteer
Help maximise older people’s income by becoming a Welfare Benefits volunteer. Most older people struggle financially because they do not maximise their incomes by claiming the welfare benefits to which they are eligible. At Age UK Buckinghamshire we help older people to claim the welfare benefits they are eligible for by sending trained volunteer advisors to their homes to establish entitlements and help them through the process of claiming, by filling in the forms on their behalf.
What do Welfare Benefits Volunteers do?
After full training, you would be allocated clients to complete a one-off visit to complete forms on their behalf. This visit normally takes 1 – 2 hours alongside chatting and possibly a cuppa!
What skills does a Welfare Benefits Advisor need?
Empathy and patience with older people
A professional, friendly and approachable manner
Attention to detail and good record-keeping skills
A non-judgemental approach
Willingness to learn about older people’s benefits
What training do we provide?
Successful applicants complete 2 training sessions covering the needs of older people and welfare benefits. At the end of this initial training, you will be “buddied” with one or more experienced volunteers, first as an observer and later as an advisor until you have the knowledge and confidence to undertake one-to-one visits.
How much time do we expect you to give?
Once trained, you can commit to as many or as few visits per week as you wish. Each visit takes, on average, about 1 – 2 hours. There are quarterly meetings that provide support and additional training days from time to time to keep up with new legislation.
What is our commitment to you?
We will provide initial and ongoing training to help you develop your knowledge and skills.
We will continue to support you in your role, providing information and advice as necessary.
We will discuss with you any problems you may have with your role, or any concerns we have.
We will reimburse reasonable, approved out of pocket expenses.
Find out more
To find out more about volunteering with Age UK Buckinghamshire, please click below and submit our Volunteer Enquiry Form and we will be in touch in the next 2-3 working days.
For more information on volunteering roles you can contact our Volunteer Coordinator via phone or email.
Email - volunteers@ageukbucks.org.uk
Phone - 01296 388057