Benefit Programs Specialist I

RiseMe; Portsmouth (VA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

RiseMe is seeking a Benefits Program Eligibility Specialist to determine initial and ongoing eligibility for public assistance. You will interview applicants, collect and verify data, explain program rights, and maintain electronic case files with a focus on accuracy and confidentiality.

The role involves processing applications, coordinating with multiple sources, and handling casework to help clients access services while ensuring compliance with policies and deadlines.

Qualifications

• Education/experience background: High School Diploma and extensive experience collecting and reviewing documentation or case management.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal rules governing public assistance programs.
• Ability to read, interpret and apply policies and procedures and maintain confidential files.

Responsibilities

• Interview individuals to determine initial and ongoing eligibility for benefits.
• Explain scope of programs, applicant rights and responsibilities.
• Collect and verify financial, social and employment data; assist with forms as needed.
• Process applications by collecting data from customers and electronic sources.
• Establish and maintain electronic case files with documentary evidence.
• Manage cases: prioritize, meet deadlines, report monthly results.
• Identify potential fraud; prepare summaries for investigators; participate in hearings.
• Represent the agency in hearings and respond to inquiries; maintain program knowledge.

Skills

Interviewing

Case management

Data verification

Communication skills

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

General Statement of the Job & Essential Functions

GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB

Under general supervision, this position is responsible for determining eligibility for public assistance programs and services to include securing and verifying case information. Reports to the Benefits Programs Supervisor.

ESSENTIALJOBFUNCTIONS

Interviews individuals to determine initial and ongoing eligibility for benefits and public assistance programs; explains scope of multiple benefit programs and determines eligibility for assistance; explains applicant's rights and responsibilities; reads, interprets, and applies policies and procedures; secures and verifies financial, social and employment data from applicant; assists applicants/recipients in completing required forms, as necessary. Processes applications by collecting and analyzing data received from customers and various electronic sources. Establish and maintain electronic case files by utilizing documentary evidence to substantiate case determinations while keeping customers informed of case status. Manages assigned cases by organizing workload, establishing priorities, ensuring that established deadlines are met, and prepares monthly reports. Evaluates information received from applicants/recipients and various other sources for consistency, accuracy and completeness; determines employability of client; explores possible sources of income for client, refers customers to resources to become self-sufficient. Identifies suspected fraud cases; prepares summaries of facts for fraud and overpayment and submit to the fraud investigator; represents the agency in hearings and court appeals, responds to state, federal and internal case review inquiries, reviews program and policy manuals, and prepares reports as needed. Attends in-service and other training sessions and conferences and may represent the agency on committees or task force groups. Makes service referrals within the department and to other agencies as needed and resolves a variety of customer's concerns. Performs other duties as assigned. Individual assignments will be determined by supervisor based on current workload and department needs.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Knowledge of Job:Has general knowledge of local, State and federal laws, ordinances, rules and regulations governing multiple benefit programs, as applicable. Has general knowledge of the policies, procedures, rules and regulations of multiple benefit programs as administered through Social Services programs. Has general knowledge of the social and economic factors in the community. Has some knowledge of the forms, documents and manuals associated with multiple benefit programs. Has some knowledge of the principles, methods, and techniques of public administration. Is able to use common office machines, including computers and electronic file maintenance programs. Is able to compile technical information from a variety of sources and prepare clear and concise reports. Is able to exercise considerable initiative and independent judgment in analyzing and applying standards to a variety of situations. Is able to communicate effectively in oral and written form. Is able to explain rules, regulations and policies of multiple benefit programs in terms understood by applicants/ recipients and the general public. Is able to exercise considerable tact, courtesy and discretion in contact with program applicants/recipients and customers, and the general public. Is able to exercise considerable discretion in handling confidential files. Is able to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

QualityofWork:Maintains high standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities. Exercises immediate remedial action to correct any quality deficiencies that occur in areas of responsibility. Maintains high quality communication and interacts with all co-workers and the general public.

Quantity of Work:Maintains effective and efficient output of all duties and responsibilities as described under EssentialJob Functions.

Dependability:Assumes responsibility for doing assigned work and for meeting deadlines. Completes assigned work on or before deadlines in accordance with directives, city policy, standards and prescribed procedures. Accepts accountability for meeting assigned responsibilities in the technical, human and conceptual areas.

Attendance:Attends work regularly and adheres to city policies and procedures regarding absences and tardiness. Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and time-off requests.

InitiativeandEnthusiasm:Maintains an enthusiastic, self-reliant and self-starting approach to meet job responsibilities and accountabilities. Strives to anticipate work to be done and initiates proper and acceptable direction for the completion of work with a minimum of supervision and instruction.

Judgment:Exercises analytical judgment in areas of responsibility. Identifies problems or situations as they occur and specifies decision objectives. Identifies or assists in identifying alternative solutions to problems or situations. Implements decisions in accordance with prescribed and effective policies and procedures and with a minimum of errors. Seeks expert or experienced advice and researches problems, situations and alternatives before exercising judgment.

Cooperation:Accepts supervisory instruction and direction and strives to meet the goals and objectives of it. Questions such instruction and direction when clarification of results or consequences is justified i.e., poor communications, variance with City policy or procedures, etc.

RelationshipswithOthers:Shares knowledge with supervisor for mutual and city benefit. Contributes to maintaining high morale among all employees. Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships with department employees, staffers and managers in other departments, to project a good city image. Tactfully and effectively handles requests, suggestions and complaints from other departments and persons in order to maintain good will within the city. Emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive image within the city. Interacts effectively with fellow employees, supervisor, program customers, professionals and the public.

Coordination of Work:Plans and organizes daily work routine. Establishes priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology. Avoids duplication of effort. Estimates expected time of completion of elements of work and establish a personal schedule accordingly. Attends meetings, planning sessions and discussions on time. Implements work activity in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules. Maintains a calendar for appointments, meetings and deadlines.

Safety and Housekeeping:Adheres to all safety and housekeeping standards established by the city and various regulatory agencies. Sees that the standards are not violated. Maintains a clean and orderly workplace.

Education, Experience & Special Requirements

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

High School Diploma or equivalent and considerable experience collecting and reviewing documentation and information or case management; or any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities listed previously.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

An acceptable general background check to include a local, state, and federal criminal history and sex offender registry and Child Protective Services (CPS) background check. Individuals in this position cannot be listed as having a founded child abuse or neglect complaint.

Must possess a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.

In the event of a declared emergency in the city of Portsmouth, individuals in this position are required to work shelter duty and may be called on to perform duties as required to provide for the safety and care of the citizens of the community.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) REQUIREMENTS

The City of Portsmouth is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the City to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.

This is a class description and not an individual position description. A class specification defines the general character and scope of duties and responsibilities of all positions in a job classification, but is not intended to describe and does not necessarily list the essential job functions for a given position in a classification.

VDSS is one of the largest Commonwealth agencies, partnering with 120 local departments of social services, along with faith-based and non-profit organizations, to promote the well-being of children and families statewide. We proudly serve alongside nearly 13,000 state and local human services professionals throughout the Social Services System, who ensure that thousands of Virginia's most vulnerable citizen have access to best services and benefits available to them.