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From the frontline – Universal Credit officer Trevor Davies
Trevor Davies, Universal Credit officer at County Durham Housing Group, tells us about helping tenants to manage their finances and his frustration at having to issue food vouchers
Tell us about your job.
My job is to ensure that our tenants receive their full entitlement of Universal Credit and that the transition from one benefit to another runs as smoothly as possible. An important part of the role is to make sure that housing costs are correct and that tenants pay their rent, to avoid relying on Alternative Payment Arrangements and to stop them falling into arrears.
How did you get into housing?
My background is in benefits. I started with HMRC in 2012 as a tax credits advisor, then moved to taxes and child benefit. I moved into the Department for Work and Pensions [DWP] in 2017 and worked in a Universal Credit contact centre. I’ve seen problems first hand: the demanding workload for case managers and issues with the ‘digital’ system. Now I have the chance to use my knowledge to help our tenants understand what they’re entitled to.
What is the best part of your job?
Connecting with our tenants. I genuinely love this job and making a difference to people’s lives. Tenants fight and fight against the benefits system and many of them give up, accepting what they’re told by the DWP. It fills me with enormous pride to know that we can truly fight for what they’re entitled to by applying our knowledge and expertise.
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What is the worst part?
Issuing food vouchers. The number we distribute is astonishing. Families are unable to feed their children because of benefit changes or delays. Food banks do an amazing job to help our tenants by providing food, gas and electricity.
What would you change about the housing sector?
We need more social housing. Young families are being forced to live with their parents because there are no affordable alternatives. Social housing that has been sold needs to be replenished with more affordable options.
If you could be prime minister for the day, what would you do?
I’d look at how we educate our children in schools. I believe education in taxes, nutrition and a healthy lifestyle would be a much greater aid to our young people and society than some areas of the curriculum.
What’s the most private thing you’d admit to your colleagues?
It’s not much of a secret but I’m a massive fan of The Greatest Showman. Every song is an absolute hit and Zac Efron is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.
