Local Welfare Assistance Officer

Job Title: Local Welfare Assistance Officer

Location: Ealing, West London (W5 2HL), Hybrid Working - 2 days office / 3 days remote

Hourly rate £22.02 PAYE / £28.71 Umbrella per hour

Contract Length: 3 -month contract (possibility of extension)

Working Pattern: Full Time, Monday - Friday, 35 hours

ASAP Start

About the Role

As a Local Welfare Assistance Officer, you will play a vital role in supporting residents experiencing financial hardship. You will assess and administer applications for a range of discretionary funds, provide welfare benefits advice, collaborate with internal and external partners, and help residents achieve greater financial stability.

Key Responsibilities

Administration and processing of the crisis resilience fund (includes housing payments previously known as discretionary housing payment) Administer applications for Local Welfare Provision, Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP), and Discretionary Council Tax Support/Hardship schemes in line with legislation and local policy. Deliver high‑quality, timely assessments and make fair, evidence‑based decisions. Assist residents with applications and provide comprehensive advice on welfare benefits, expenditure minimisation, and debt issues. Conduct home visits where necessary and work collaboratively with community organisations, charities, landlords, housing teams, and the DWP. Maintain accurate records, produce statistical data, and manage your caseload effectively. Identify potentially fraudulent claims and escalate appropriately. Use council IT systems to process awards, load payments, and update case notes.

Experience

We are seeking applicants with recent experience in the following areas:

Administering Local Welfare Provision / Household Support FundYou will have recent experience assessing emergency financial support applications, crisis awards, or household support funding, including verifying evidence, determining eligibility, and making decisions based on policy.

Administering Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP)You will be confident reviewing and processing DHP applications, understanding housing need, affordability assessments, and the regulatory framework governing DHP awards.

Administering a Discretionary Council Tax SchemeYou have experience assessing Council Tax Support Hardship Fund or a similar discretionary council tax reduction scheme, including calculating awards and applying local scheme criteria.

What You'll Bring

Strong knowledge of welfare benefits legislation, including Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support. Analytical skills and the ability to apply discretion impartially. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and meet strict deadlines. Experience supporting vulnerable residents with empathy, professionalism, and confidentiality. Ability to use Word, Excel, and council IT systems confidently.

Adecco acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and an employment business for the supply of temporary workers. The Adecco Group UK & Ireland is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

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