Benefit Programs Specialist II

Virginia-Department-of-Social-Service; Ruckersville (VA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Department of Social Services seeks a Benefit Programs Specialist II to determine and re-determine eligibility for financial assistance, food stamps, medical aid, and other social services. Independent judgment is exercised in complex cases with guidance from supervisory staff as needed.

The role emphasizes interviewing, data collection, and accurate case management within established policies and procedures.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of public service organizations and eligibility guidelines.
• Experience with benefit programs and data collection.
• Ability to work with diverse populations and communicate effectively.

Responsibilities

• Interviews persons for assistance, obtains necessary information, and re-determines continuing eligibility.
• Explains benefit programs and determines reasons and need for assistance.
• Processes applications for financial assistance and diversion; determines eligibility 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 reflect benefit levels.

Skills

Interview techniques

Mathematics

Communication

Data entry & reporting

Education

High school diploma

Experience in benefit programs

Tools

VaCMS

MMIS

VDSS software

Job description

Title Description

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 Benefit Programs Specialist II is distinguished from the Benefit Programs Specialist III by the latter’s performing advanced technical work requiring depth and breadth of knowledge to understand, analyze and act on complex cases. Also, the Benefit Programs Specialist III serves as a technical resource for others regarding social services’ eligibility programs.

General Work Tasks (Illustrative Only)

• 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.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge- 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.

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 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

Same as required in Benefit Program Specialist I with experience in benefit programs, use of computer software and hardware, and completion of required Benefit Programs training 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 Programs training or any equivalent combination of training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in benefit programs evaluatingand processing SNAP, and Medicaid cases.

Experience with VaCMS, MMIS, or any VDSS agency related software programs.

Experience working with populations with limited English proficiency.

Bilingual in English and Spanishpreferred.

Experience working effectively and successfully within a team.

Special Requirements

All applicants are subject to a DMV/driving record check, pre-employment drug screen, Central Registry (CPS) check and/or criminal history search. The search may include: fingerprint checks (State Policy, 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.

Employee must be willing to work in the community emergency shelter in the event of a natural disaster or emergency, including sheltering youth awaiting placement.