Income Assistant; part time pw, FTC

Income Assistant (part time 30hrs pw, 15 month FTC)

£23,706

Chelmsford

Temporary, Part Time

We are looking for a part time Income Assistant on a part time 15-month FTC to manage the direct debit (DD) process and rent verifications via the Universal Credit (UC) portal with the aim of supporting customers to sustain their tenancies.

What you'll be doing

* Daily management of the DD process including setting up new DDs, amending DDs due to requests from customers and changes to benefit awards, cancelling DDs. Creating and sending DD files for collection to BACS after authorisation. Management of DD returns including processing to customer accounts and contacting customers to request payment.

* Promote a rent on time culture, which means we expect rent to be paid when due with customers never being in arrears.

* Make affordable sustainable arrangements with customers based on their ability to pay and monitor these to ensure they are adhered to.

* Prepare rent refund, purchase orders and write off requests in line with procedures.

* Update and keep detailed computer records of all correspondence, actions taken and communication with customers.

What we are looking for

* Experience in database management/record systems and developing knowledge of further applications.

* Experience of working within a customer facing role with proven ability to deal with customers.

* Excellent organisational skills with the ability to take a flexible approach in managing conflicting priorities under pressure.

* Strong IT skills and experience of using a range of ICT systems to a high degree of accuracy.

* Demonstrate the ability to meet deadlines.

Please note this is a 15-month maternity cover post starting 2 March 2026. Working days are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Preferred hours are 9am – 5 pm (flexibility may be available). Initially this role will be in the office full time for a period of training and then once training is complete you will be able to work from home 1 day a week.

Benefits

* The salary for this post will be £23,706.73 Per Annum.

* Learning and development opportunities

* Healthcare cash plan

* Robust employee reward and recognition programme

* Free and confidential Employee Assistance Programme

* CH Participate volunteering programme

* Competitive pension scheme

* 25 days annual leave pro rata per annum, plus bank holidays, 3 extra days between Christmas and New Year and 1 wellbeing day per annum.

* 30 hours per week - employees may be able to work flexibly by agreement with their line manager, taking account of business need. We operate a hybrid working policy at CHP.

Please note:

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications or successfully appoint a candidate before the closing date. We encourage early applications to avoid disappointment.

PLEASE NOTE WE ARE CLOSED OVER THE CHRISTMAS PERIOD RETURNING ON THE 5TH OF JANUARY 2026, SO ALL QUERIES WILL BE PICKE DUP AFTER THIS DATE.

The Company

We’re a local housing association that’s passionate about tackling the housing shortage in the East of England. We provide warm, safe and affordable homes. But we don’t stop there. We offer a wide range of support and services to help our customers and their communities to thrive.

We want to be an organisation that cares about our customers and communities and is determined to make a difference. We'll be bold and open-minded in our pursuit of solutions to help people transform their lives