Crisis Resilience Fund Assessment Officer

• Contract Type: 6-month interim
• Location: Reading
• Salary: £30 per hour (inside IR35 via Umbrella)
• Working Hours: Hybrid (2 days on-site, 3 days remote)

Join our client a local authority as a Crisis Resilience Fund Assessment Officer. This role is crucial for assessing Crisis Payment and Housing Payment applications, making timely decisions, and providing essential support services to residents in need.

Day-to-day of the role:

• Assess Crisis Payment and Housing Payment applications in accordance with the Crisis Resilience Fund policy and government guidance.
• Determine if circumstances qualify as a crisis or risk of crisis and decide on the appropriate support.
• Implement a cash-first approach, selecting the most suitable payment methods, and using vouchers or goods only when they better meet the needs.
• Conduct proportionate verification checks including identity, income, savings, and housing costs.
• Provide benefit checks, income maximisation advice, and basic budgeting support.
• Identify problem debt, offer immediate harm-reduction advice, and signpost to appropriate support.
• Make warm referrals to welfare advice, financial inclusion, housing support, and voluntary sector partners where consent is given.
• Maintain accurate records, clearly explain decisions, and meet required processing timescales.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Experience working directly with the public in person, by phone, or online, handling sensitive enquiries.
• Understanding of welfare benefits, housing costs, debt advice, or financial support services.
• Ability to gather and assess information, apply eligibility rules, and make fair, evidence-based decisions.
• Proficiency in assessing financial information including income, expenditure, and housing costs.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills using plain English.
• Ability to support residents experiencing distress or crisis in a calm, respectful, and trauma-informed way.
• Confident use of IT systems including case management and document management tools.
• Ability to manage a personal caseload, work independently, and meet deadlines for urgent decisions.

Benefits:

• Flexible hybrid working arrangement.
• Opportunity to contribute to community support and resilience.
• Engage in meaningful work that directly impacts residents' lives

If you have the necessary skill set please apply online today!