Local Authority Household Support Fund Top-up Grant Assessor, Reading

Pertemps; Reading; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government agency is seeking a Local Authority Household Support Fund Top-up Grant Assessor in Reading. The role involves assessing applications for vital financial assistance, offering advice on budgeting and benefits, and ensuring residents receive necessary support. Strong knowledge of benefits, housing, or debt advice is required, along with excellent communication skills. This is a contract position with a pay rate of up to £30 per hour.

Benefits

Dedicated consultant access

Easy online registration

Referral schemes and incentives

Ongoing compliance management

Reliable payroll

Qualifications

• Experience in a similar Local Authority role is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Assess grant applications quickly and accurately.
• Deliver immediate financial assistance while driving lasting positive change.
• Provide tailored advice on benefits, budgeting, and income maximisation.
• Signpost residents to debt advice and other essential support services.
• Reduce arrears and recovery actions through early engagement and sustainable repayment plans.

Skills

Strong knowledge of benefits

Strong knowledge of housing

Strong knowledge of debt advice

Customer-facing experience

Excellent communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Ability to manage caseload independently

Job description

Local Authority Household Support Fund Top-up Grant Assessor, Reading

Pay rate to £30 per hour. Contract role, Local Government Housing.

We are recruiting for an experienced Local Authority Household Support Fund Top‑up Grant Assessor in Reading. You will need to have strong knowledge of benefits, housing, or debt advice.

Role Overview

The post holder will administer the Household Support Fund Top‑up scheme, and help residents access vital financial support by assessing applications, providing income and budgeting advice, and signposting to relevant support services.

The Household Support Fund helps low‑income households with the cost of living. Reading Borough Council is building on this through a pilot that offers joined up support and extra financial help, aiming to reduce enforcement action and improve financial resilience for residents.

Key Responsibilities

• Assess grant applications quickly and accurately.
• Deliver immediate financial assistance while driving lasting positive change.
• Provide tailored advice on benefits, budgeting, and income maximisation.
• Signpost residents to debt advice and other essential support services.
• Reduce arrears and recovery actions through early engagement and sustainable repayment plans.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Strong knowledge of benefits, housing, or debt advice.
• Proven experience in customer‑facing roles (phone, email, or face‑to‑face).
• Excellent communication and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to manage a caseload independently and work under pressure.

This is a contract role, and you will need to have experience in a similar Local Authority role.

Please get in touch for more information.

This is an agency post and Vitalis can offer you:

• A dedicated consultant who has access to all roles across the UK and is available for you to speak to
• An easy registration process (all done online)
• Referral schemes and incentives
• Ongoing compliance managed for you
• Prompt and reliable payroll and lots more.

Please contact Graham Leatham on 07484 513909 or email [e-mail] for more information. We recruit across all areas of Housing, Public Sector, Planning and Local Government work. If you are experienced in this sector, and this is not the role for you, contact us about other roles.