Benefit Programs Specialist II

Virginia Department of Social Services; Daleville (AL); Hybrid; USD 29,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement benefits

Life and disability insurance

Paid holidays

Annual leave

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Telework discretion

Job summary

Botetourt County Department of Social Services seeks a Benefit Programs Specialist II to determine eligibility for financial assistance, food stamps, medical assistance and other social services. Telework may be allowed at the department's discretion as schedules vary with agency needs.

The role requires interpreting policies, maintaining case records, and referring clients to social workers as needed. Strong communication and math skills are essential.

Qualifications

• High school diploma with related training or experience.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally.
• Knowledge of public assistance programs and eligibility rules.
• Proficient with computers and data systems.

Responsibilities

• Interviews applicants for assistance and re-determines their eligibility.
• Explains benefit programs and determines need for assistance.
• Processes applications for financial assistance and diversion; determines eligibility.
• Interprets policies and procedures applicable to the programs.
• Monitors cases for changes and updates benefit levels accordingly.
• Provides applicants with information about other agencies and services.

Skills

Interviewing techniques

Eligibility determination

Communication skills

Mathematics calculations

Data entry / PC skills

Education

High school diploma with related training/experience

Tools

Agency software

PC software

Job description

Botetourt County Department of Social Services is hiring for the Benefit Programs Specialist II position!

The Benefit Programs Specialist II represents the full-performance 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.

The starting annual salary for this position is $32,415 (commensurate with experience). Botetourt County offers a generous benefit package which includes participation in the Virginia Retirement System, employer paid life and disability insurance, paid holidays, annual leave and sick leave, affordable medical, dental and vision insurance, etc.

Employees may be eligible for telework at the discretion of the department. Telework schedules vary based on the needs of the agency.

General Work Tasks include:

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

• Explains benefit programs and determines reasons and 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;

• Computes assistance plans;

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

• Identifies clearly discernible social problems and makes referrals to Social Workers;

• Provides applicants or recipients with information about other agencies where they may go for services as needed.

• Explains a variety of programs under the social services umbrella such as employment services, child support services and child care services.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 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.

• Skill in operating a personal computer and associated agency software.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with 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, re-evaluate each client’s situation, and make referrals; determine a client’s ownership share in situations; make mathematical computations; 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, reports, and 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 Experience: high school diploma with additional training and related work experience, or an equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experience in a Local Department of Social Services (LDSS) senior worker or lead worker role; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Considerable knowledge of public assistance programs, policy, and regulations in regard to:
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Medical Assistance (Medicaid/Cardinal) - Family & Children, Aged, Blind, Disabled, and Long Term Care
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
• Virginia Initiative for Education and Work (VIEW)
• Child Care Subsidy Program (CCSP)
• Energy Assistance Programs (EAP)
• SNAP Employment and Training (SNAP E&T)
• Fraud, Quality Control, and other human service programs

Applicants may be subject to a Criminal History Background search, Central Registry search, DMV/driving record check, and/or pre-employment drug screen. The investigation may include: fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI), local agency checks, employment verification and references, verification of education (relevant to employment), credit checks (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 screenings.

May be required to report for shelter duty during community disasters and/or emergencies.

Consideration for an interview is based solely on the information within the application and/or resume.

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.