Specialist, social security

Government social benefits officials examine and decide on applications for social benefits under government, financial and other programmes, determine the amount of benefits, and refer more complex cases to senior government officials or managers.

• advising individuals and organisations on laws, regulations and rules on social assistance, government social benefit programmes and reimbursement of payments, and on the rights and obligations of the public;
• examining and deciding on applications and other documents to determine the type and amount of social benefits;
• evaluating documents and interviewing benefit recipients;
• performing administrative tasks to maintain client files, and preparing opinions on social assistance matters and decisions to terminate benefits in cases of abuse and fraud.
• Examples of occupations in this unit group:
• Inspector, pensions
• Inspector, social insurance
• Associate, social assistance