At a Glance
- Tasks: Help residents secure financial support and process housing payments while working remotely.
- Company: Join a supportive council team focused on community welfare.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible work options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a focus on community engagement and support.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives by helping them achieve financial stability.
- Qualifications: Experience in benefits assessment and strong communication skills required.
Benefits Assessment Officer
Walthamstow
Contract: £21.53 per hour PAYE or £28.07 per hour limited paid via umbrella company inside IR35
Our client is looking for an experienced Benefits Assessment Officer to work 1-2 days per week in the office and 3-4 days remote. Benefits Officers are required to process Housing Payments and Crisis Support Payments as part of our Crisis Resilience Fund (CRF) Scheme. The role includes follow-up work aimed at maximising residents' income and reducing their expenses.
The postholder will be responsible for administering Crisis Support Payments and Housing Payments while proactively engaging residents to maximise income, reduce outgoings, and improve long-term financial resilience. The role will also contribute to wider service delivery, including Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support processing and, where required, debt recovery activities.
- Crisis Resilience Fund Delivery
- Process applications for Crisis Support Payments and Housing-related payments accurately and in line with policy and guidance.
- Make timely decisions, prioritising urgent and vulnerable cases.
- Ensure all awards are correctly assessed, verified, and recorded.
- Identify and escalate safeguarding concerns or vulnerability where appropriate.
- Income Maximisation & Financial Support
- Proactively contact residents (primarily via telephone) to identify opportunities to increase household income (e.g. benefit entitlement, grant support).
- Reduce household expenditure (e.g. utilities, debt repayments, budgeting support).
- Provide holistic financial support advice tailored to individual circumstances.
- Make referrals to internal services and external partners (e.g. debt advice agencies, voluntary sector organisations such as StepChange where appropriate).
- Support residents in accessing sustainable financial solutions rather than short-term crisis support alone.
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Liaise effectively with internal teams and external partners, including Housing Services, Adult Social Care, Revenues & Benefits, DWP, HMRC, advice agencies, and voluntary sector organisations.
- Build positive working relationships to support coordinated interventions for residents.
- Act as a key point of contact for CRF-related enquiries.
- Performance, Reporting & Data Recording
- Accurately record all interventions, outcomes, and customer interactions on the relevant systems.
- Capture measurable outcomes, including additional income secured, expenditure reduced, and referrals made.
- Support reporting requirements to demonstrate the impact and effectiveness of the CRF scheme.
- Maintain high standards of data quality to support evidence-based decision making and service improvement.
- Core Benefits Processing
- Process Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support claims and changes where required, ensuring accuracy and compliance with legislation.
- Prioritise urgent cases and maintain service performance standards.
- Identify potential fraud or error and refer appropriately.
- Debt Prevention and Recovery (as required)
- Support early intervention activity to prevent debt escalation.
- Assist with recovery of overpayments or debts where appropriate.
- Promote sustainable repayment arrangements, considering customer vulnerability.
Please visit our website for more opportunities.
The first part of our recruitment process is to send your CV. Should you be shortlisted, Colbern Limited will contact you within 5 days or may contact you about other job opportunities. Colbern Limited, along with our clients, are an equal opportunities employer.
Financial / Benefits Professional in Walthamstow employer: Colbern Limited
Colbern Limited is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and professional growth of its employees, offering a flexible work environment with 1-2 days in the office and the remainder remote. Our commitment to supporting residents through the Crisis Resilience Fund not only fosters a meaningful work culture but also provides opportunities for staff to engage in impactful community service, enhancing their skills while making a real difference in people's lives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Financial / Benefits Professional in Walthamstow
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the financial sector and let them know you're on the hunt for a Benefits Assessment Officer role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of crisis support payments and housing benefits. We want you to be able to discuss how you can help residents maximise their income and reduce expenses with confidence!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to showcase your customer service skills! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, highlight your experience in engaging with residents and providing tailored financial support. It’s all about making that personal connection.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and really interested in joining the team.
We think you need these skills to ace Financial / Benefits Professional in Walthamstow
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Benefits Assessment Officer role. Highlight relevant experience in processing payments and engaging with residents, as this will show us you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t forget to showcase your skills in customer service and financial support. We want to see how you can help maximise income and reduce expenses for residents, so give us examples of how you've done this before!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and concise. We appreciate straightforward communication, especially when it comes to complex topics like financial resilience and benefits processing.
Apply Through Our Website:Remember to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this and other opportunities we have available.
How to prepare for a job interview at Colbern Limited
✨Know Your Benefits Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on the specifics of Crisis Support Payments and Housing Payments. Understand the policies and guidelines that govern these payments, as well as any recent changes. This will show your potential employer that you're not just familiar with the role but also genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Practice Your Communication Skills
Since you'll be engaging with residents primarily over the phone, practice clear and empathetic communication. Role-play common scenarios with a friend or family member to get comfortable discussing sensitive financial issues. This will help you convey information effectively and build rapport with residents.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement Questions
Expect questions about how you would liaise with various stakeholders like Housing Services and DWP. Think of examples from your past experiences where you've successfully collaborated with different teams or external partners. Highlight your ability to build positive relationships and coordinate interventions.
✨Showcase Your Data Recording Skills
Be ready to discuss your experience with data recording and reporting. Mention any systems you've used in the past and how you ensure data quality. Emphasise your attention to detail and how accurate record-keeping can impact service delivery and decision-making.
