Benefit Programs Specialist I

Commonwealth Of Virginia; Winchester; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth Of Virginia in Winchester is seeking a candidate to perform eligibility determination and case management for social service programs. You will register applications, interview clients, and determine benefits while maintaining records and ensuring program compliance.

Roles include data verification, referrals to community resources, and potential home visits. The position requires strong communication skills and adherence to confidentiality in a fast-paced public service environment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma with additional training and related work experience or equivalent.
• Ability to read, write and speak English; bilingual English-Spanish preferred.
• Knowledge of public service practices; basic human behavior; eligibility for social service assistance.
• Math to calculate percentages, formulas and averages; interviewing techniques.
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders; maintain confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Completes required State and in-house training on various government programs.
• Registers applications for assistance, executes system searches and schedules initial interviews.
• Interviews persons for assistance, obtains necessary information, and makes eligibility determinations.
• Engages client in a positive working relationship.
• Explains benefit programs and determines reasons and need for assistance, as well as other Social Service programs.
• Processes applications for financial assistance and diversion, determining eligibility and benefit levels.
• Interprets policies and procedures applicable to the various programs.
• Monitors cases for changes and implements changes to reflect benefit levels within guidelines.
• Evaluates employment status of clients and explores potential sources of income.
• Maintains accurate client case records and prepares program reports as applicable.
• Verifies data accuracy, identifies potential fraud and makes referrals.
• Explains programs and rights and responsibilities of applicants and recipients.
• Provides applicants or recipients with information about other community resources and referrals.
• Makes home visits as needed.
• Works assigned shifts to staff emergency shelters should Winchester declare a state of emergency.
• Contributes to a positive work environment.

Job description

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Other duties may also be assigned.

• Completes required State and in-house training on various government programs
• Registers applications for assistance, executes system searches and schedules initial interviews
• Interviews persons for assistance, obtains necessary information, and makes eligibility determinations
• Engages client in a positive working relationship;
• Explains benefit programs and determines reasons and need for assistance, as well as other Social Service programs
• Processes applications for financial assistance and diversion, which includes accurately determining eligibility for assistance and benefit levels using automated systems and manual methods within established deadlines
• 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 employment status of clients and explores potential sources of income
• Organizes and maintains accurate client case records, ensures thorough documentation and prepares program reports as applicable
• Evaluates consistency and completeness of data secured, verifies its accuracy, identifies possible fraud and makes appropriate referrals
• Explains programs and rights and responsibilities of applicants and recipients
• Provides applicants or recipients with information about other community resources and makes referrals
• Makes referrals to Services unit for cases where abuse or neglect issues arise
• Makes home visits as needed
• Works assigned shift(s) to set up and staff emergency shelters should Winchester declare a state of emergency
• Contributes to a positive work environment.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Language Skills:

Ability to read and comprehend. Ability to speak and communicate effectively using correct English. Bilingual English-Spanish preferred.

Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Working knowledge of practices of public service organizations; economic and basic human behavior; financial assistance programs sufficient to determine/re-determine eligibility for benefits; eligibility requirements for social service assistance as outlined by State, Local and Federal guidelines, regulations and policies; mathematics to calculate percentages, formulas and averages to solve mathematical problems; and interviewing techniques such as data collection and investigation.

Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with a broad spectrum of individuals to include, but not limited to, customers, employers, courts, and medical professionals in person and on the phone; interview, gather information, evaluate each client’s situation, and make referrals; determine a client’s ownership share in situations; analyze information and determine from a variety of sources missing information and gaps; apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form; use various types of automated technology to establish and maintain case records, access data such as estates, retirement accounts, and real estate; understanding of reports and ability to manipulate data; maintain professional ethics related to confidentiality; exercise sound judgment, discretion, tact and resourcefulness in solving problems and drawing logical conclusions; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with applicants and recipients, other public and private agencies, associates, and the public in a positive and tactful manner under sometimes stressful situations.

Education and/or Experience:

High school diploma supplemented with additional training and related work experience OR any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Preferred Experience:

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Possession of a valid and appropriate driver’s license. Must complete mandatory state training including Medicaid and SNAP. Additional program trainings may be required.

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Required Physical Activities

Requires light physical effort working almost exclusively with lightweight materials (up to 25 pounds) including but not limited to walking, talking, stooping, kneeling, light lifting, bending, reaching and gripping.

Vision Requirements

Minimum requirements set by the Division of Motor Vehicles.

Environmental Conditions

Work is conducted indoors and outdoors under variable weather conditions. Face to face contact with the general public is considerable. Some travel required.