Benefits assessment officer

To deliver a targeted, customer-focused service as part of the Councils Crisis Resilience Fund (CRF), supporting residents experiencing or at risk of financial hardship.

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.

• 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.

• 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 rep...