Benefit Programs Specialist I

Virginia Department of Social Services; Winchester (VA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Department of Social Services seeks a dedicated eligibility worker to process applications for financial assistance and determine client eligibility for state and federal programs.

You will conduct interviews, verify information, and maintain detailed case records while explaining program benefits and rights to applicants. The role may involve travel, home visits, and emergency shelter duties as required.

Qualifications

• Ability to read and comprehend in English.
• Ability to speak and communicate effectively in English; bilingual English-Spanish preferred.
• Knowledge of public service organizations, economic and basic human behavior; eligibility requirements for social services.

Responsibilities

• Registers applications for assistance, executes system searches and schedules initial interviews.
• Interviews individuals for assistance, collects information and determines eligibility.
• Explains benefit programs and determines need for assistance and other social service programs.
• Processes applications for financial assistance and uses automated and manual methods to determine eligibility and benefit levels.
• Maintains accurate client case records and prepares program reports as applicable.
• Verifies data accuracy and identifies possible fraud; makes referrals as needed.
• Explains programs and clients' rights and responsibilities; provides information about community resources and referrals.
• Makes referrals to Services unit if abuse or neglect issues arise.
• May conduct home visits and staff emergency shelters as needed.

Skills

Read & comprehend

English communication

Bilingual English-Spanish

Education

High school diploma + training

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.

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.