Eligibility Specialist

Responsible for performing a range of eligibility functions that pertain to Virginia Department of Social Services Benefit Programs, including intakes, ongoing reviews, and referrals to other services.  Benefit Programs include Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program [SNAP], Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families [TANF], VIEW, Energy Assistance. Other programs as assigned may include Long-term Care, Auxiliary Grants [AG], Child Care and Fraud Prevention.  All positions are cross-trained, as needed, and workers may assume coordinating responsibilities.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Interviews persons for assistance, obtains necessary information, and re-determines their continuing eligibility

• Explains benefit programs and evaluates the need for assistance 

• Processes applications for financial assistance and diversion; determines eligibility for assistance and benefit levels using automated systems and manual methods 

• Interprets policies and procedures applicable to the various programs

• Monitors cases for changes in recipient circumstances, and implements changes to appropriately reflect benefit level within guidelines

• Evaluates employability status of clients and explores potential sources of income; explains client responsibilities, rights and program availability

• Refers clients to service worker as the result of overall assessment of situation; prepares reports and maintains client records

• Identifies possible fraud and makes appropriate referrals; evaluates consistency and completeness of data secured, and where indicated substantiates its accuracy 

• Explains programs and rights/responsibilities of applicants and recipients

• Explores other possible sources of income and computes assistance 

• Determines the amount of allowances for special circumstance items such as household equipment.

• Case Management for SNAP and Medicaid programs. Processes renewals and interims, explain a variety of programs under the social services umbrella such as employment services, child support services and childcare services.

• Responsible for emergency duties including shelter duty or Emergency Operations Center staffing, in the event of a disaster, and services on a rotating duty roster for the duration of the event.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Knowledge and understanding of public service organizations, economic and basic human behavior issues, and financial assistance programs at federal and state levels

• Knowledge of computer hardware and software programs

• Skills in math and computation, with high degree of accuracy

• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse populations, individuals with disabilities, and elderly populations, both in person and on phone

• Ability to understand, interpret, and implement policies in a timely and accurate fashion

• Ability to operate small office equipment, including copy machines or multi-line telephone systems

• Ability to operate computers for data entry, word processing and/or accounting purposes

• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with broad spectrum of individuals to include, but not limited to, customers, and employers. 

• Ability to interview, to gather information, re-evaluate each client’s situation, and make referrals

• Ability to use various types of automated technology to establish and maintain case records, access data such as estates, retirement accounts, and real estate, reports, and manipulate data

Education and Experience:

• Experience in benefit programs, use of computer softwEare and hardware, and completion of required Benefit Programs training OR any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong background in accounting

• Prior work experience in financial assistance programs sufficient to determine/redetermine eligibility for benefits to include Long Term Services and Support program, Aged Blind Disabled and Auxiliary Grants. 

• Spanish, bi-lingual, skills with a competency to translate benefit program details.

Special Qualifications:

• Valid Virginia Driver’s License or obtain within 90 days.

• Acceptable Criminal history, Child protective services and DMV background checks

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work requires the ability to exert moderate but not constant physical effort to perform light work, typically involving some combination of balancing, feeling, fingering, grasping, handling, hearing, lifting, mental acuity, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, standing, stooping, talking, visual acuity, walking and may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (up to 20 pounds), visual perception and discrimination, the ability to perceive and discriminate sounds, perceive and discriminate color, and require oral communications.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is regularly performed in a dynamic environment that requires the need to be sensitive to change and responsive to changing goals, priorities, and needs. 

Employees at all levels are expected to effectively work together to meet the needs of the community and the organization through work behaviors demonstrating the City’s Values.  Employees are also expected to lead by example and demonstrate the highest level of ethics.