Benefit Programs Specialist I/II

New LHRC External Career Site; Radford (VA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

New LHRC External Career Site is seeking an entry-level Benefit Programs Specialist I to learn eligibility determinations for social services programs under supervision. The role progresses to full performance as training completes, with responsibilities expanding to independent eligibility decisions and adherence to federal, state, and local regulations.

Primary duties include interviewing applicants, processing financial assistance applications, and calculating benefits while maintaining case

Qualifications

• High school diploma required or equivalent with training in Benefit Programs.
• Experience or training in public assistance programs and related services.
• Ability to interview, collect data, and determine eligibility.
• Knowledge of basic math and its application to benefit calculations.
• Proficiency with office software and data entry for case records.

Responsibilities

• Conduct interviews to determine eligibility for assistance and re-determine continuing eligibility.
• Explain program options and determine need for assistance.
• Process applications for financial assistance and diversions; explain client responsibilities and rights.
• Evaluate data for consistency and accuracy and substantiate when needed.
• Compute assistance plans and determine allowances for special items.
• Evaluate social factors such as education, work experience, and employability.
• Assess client employability and explore potential income sources.

Skills

Interviewing

Mathematics

Customer service

PC skills

Data entry

Report creation

Analytical thinking

Education

High school diploma

Benefit Program training

Tools

VACMS

MMIS

VDSS software

Job description

Title Description-

Benefit Programs Specialist I represents the entry level in the occupational group for employees working under close supervision while being trained in determining eligibility for a variety of social services government assistance programs. Upon recommendation by the supervisor, approval by the director, and successful completion of the training program, the employee shall be redefined to full-performance. Benefit Programs Specialist II represents the fullperformance level in the Benefit Programs Specialist occupational group. Employees’ responsibilities are related to the determination and re-determination of eligibility of individuals and families for financial assistance, food stamps, medical assistance, and for other social services’ benefit programs. The work is performed within established policies, procedures and guidelines, but certain aspects of eligibility determination require independent judgment, especially as related to evaluation of social factors influencing eligibility. Employees seek supervisory help for difficult or unusual situations only Benefit Programs Specialist II with a corresponding salary increase as indicated by the local department’s compensation plan. Benefit Programs Specialist I is distinguished from the Benefit Programs Specialist II by the latter’s performing all the assigned eligibility duties independently and making judgments following agency practices and procedures and mandated federal, state, or local laws and policies.

General Work Tasks (Illustrative Only) –

• Conducts interviews of persons to determine eligibility for assistance and re-determines their continuing eligibility;
• Explains nature of temporary assistance benefit programs and determines reasons and need for assistance;
• Processes applications for financial assistance and diversion; explains client responsibilities, rights and program availability;
• Evaluates consistency and completeness of data secured, and where indicated substantiates its accuracy;
• Computes assistance plans;
• Determines the need for and amount of allowances for special circumstance items;
• Evaluates such social factors as education, work experience, and levels of social functioning; and
• Evaluates employability of clients and explores potential sources of income.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge-

Some knowledge of: basic human behavior; mathematics to calculate percentages, formulas and averages to solve mathematical problems; and interviewing techniques such as data collection and investigation.

Skills-

Skill in operating a personal computer and the associated office and agency software.

Abilities-

Demonstrated ability to: communicate effectively both orally and in writing; interview, gather information, and evaluate situations; analyze information; apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form; exercise sound judgment, discretion, tact and resourcefulness in solving problems and drawing logical conclusions; use various types of automated technology to establish and maintain case records, access and retrieve data, create reports and manipulate data; maintain professional ethics related to confidentiality; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with others in a positive and tactful manner under sometimes stressful situations.

Education and 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.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Working knowledge of mathematics to calculate percentages, formulas, and averages to solve mathematical problems; and interviewing techniques such as data collection and investigation.
• Working knowledge of practices of public service organizations; economic and basic human behavior; financial assistance programs sufficient to determine/re-determine eligibility for benefits using regulations and guidelines.
• Experience providing customer service to the public including the ability to interview and gather information.
• Skill in operating a personal computer and the associated office and agency software to research, scan and retrieve data, create and manipulate reports to establish, process, and maintain case records.
• High school diploma supplemented with experience in benefit programs and completion of required Benefit Program training or any equivalent combination of training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in benefit programs evaluating and processing SNAP, and Medicaid cases.
• Experience with VACMS, MMIS, or any VDSS agency related software program.
• Experience working with populations with limited English proficiency.
• Experience working effectively and successfully within a team.

Special Requirements:

Applicants may be subject to a Criminal History Background search, Central registry search, DMV/driving record check, and/or pre-employment drug/alcohol screen. The investigation may include fingerprint checks, employment verification/reference & credit card (relevant to employment), and other checks requested by the hiring authority. All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory results of the required checks and screening, Employee must be willing to work in community emergency shelter in the event of a natural disaster or emergency.