Income Maximisation Officer

Description:

Income Maximisation Officer
Public Sector - Local Authority
Full Time - Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, 36 hours per week
Temporary Role - 3 months with possible extension
£20.01 - £25.00 per hour PAYE / £26.03 - £32.53 per hour Umbrella
Hybrid Working - 3 days in office (SW18) 2 days at home
IT equipment provided
Up to 28 days Paid Annual Leave entitlement per holiday year (increasing to up to 40 days after 12 weeks)Key Details

- a minimum of 12 months experience in income and arrears in essential

- the successful candidate will be required to be in the offices for an induction which will be for 2 to 3 weeks whilst you are trained on the systems which are Civica and NEC

- the successful candidate will be joining a team of 12

Job Purpose

To lead and manage all temporary accommodation accounts ensuring maximum income collection of approximately £26 million, making sure that applicants pay their full charges in a timely and regular way.

To proactively, and sensitively pursue debt and ensuring that arrears are minimised Advising on preventative action to be taken to prevent clients falling into arrears, and completing financial assessments to ensure that applicant are in receipt of all income and benefits they are entitled to.

To recommend court action/eviction processes as required and/or the write off of irrecoverable debt. To do the foregoing via regular and detailed interviews with often vulnerable homeless households.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

Responsible for and managing a patch of rent accounts to proactively maximise income collection on current and former tenant accounts. Through regular monitoring you will be responsible for ensuring that clients pay all their temporary accommodation charges and to minimise any arrears on account by taking timely action, agreeing where necessary repayment plans to ensure arrears do not increase and ensure applicants are aware of the legal implications of possession action
Identifying early intervention to ensure that the client does not become intentionally homeless by preventing escalating arrears. Leading and working within a multi agency framework, including liaising and working closely with partner agencies to increase clients access support.
To assess and assist tenants to maximise their income by ensuring that they are claiming their full benefit entitlements and managing existing debt by offering detailed advice. To identify and refer cases that require specialist advice and debt counselling. To support and advise tenants with Housing Benefit and Universal Credit claims and requesting backdating.
Completing affordability assessments for applicants in relation to Suitablity of Accommodation in accordance with the homelessness Code of Guidance. Responsible for creating solutions for those where the accommodation charges are unaffordable
To provide financial advice to tenants to ensure that they can afford their charges and not become homeless from the accommodation Where necessary, identify and refer to external agencies to provide additional support and assistance to ensure successful tenancy sustainment
To be responsible for managing a case load of cases and being the lead officer relating to collection of debt and at possession hearings. Pursue current and former rent arrears for temporary accommodation and liaises with various agencies, as appropriate, helping to resolve problems in relation to benefits. . Recording and confirming all agreed actions to ensure that decisions are reasonable and defendable in Court. Where debt recovery on former tenants' arrears has proved unsuccessful, implementation of Former Tenants Arrears in line with council procedures.
Working within the legal process of evicting and terminating tenancies for temporary accommodation, preparing and arranging service of valid Notice to Quit in line with current procedures for those who have failed to pay. Ensure that work around vulnerable clients have been assessed and Equality Impact Assessments completed. Preparing and maintaining accurate records for referrals to Legal Services along with attending possession hearings in County Court to give verbal evidence and provide the case history. Agrees within guidelines, on behalf of the Council, terms and method of payment of arrears following to Court judgements and liaising with relevant departments where discharged homelessness duties.
To participate in duty rotas, generally and within the Customer Service Centre across both boroughs. Frequently assists clients by telephone or via personal interview to complete a Housing Benefit form and maintains a close liaison with the Housing Benefit Section, ensuring temporary accommodation payments are maximised. Explains to clients their own responsibilities for payments, as appropriate, advising and assisting on the accessing of appropriate welfare benefits available to the client and offers support in maximizing income.

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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