Benefit Programs Specialist - Open Until Filled

City of Santa Fe Springs; Roanoke (VA); On-site; USD 35,000 - 52,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Progressively Flexible Leave Plan

Twelve paid holidays

Short Term Disability Insurance

Long Term Disability Insurance

Health, Vision and Dental Insurance

Life Insurance

Flexible Spending Accounts

Virginia Retirement System

Tuition Reimbursement

Employee Assistance Program

Credit Union Membership

Deferred Compensation Plan

Job summary

The City of Santa Fe Springs seeks a dedicated Eligibility Specialist to perform routine professional and technical work in the Department of Social Services. You will process applications for financial or medical assistance under government programs and may assist emotionally distressed clients during benefit decisions.

Essential duties include interviewing applicants, explains programs and rights, determines eligibility, and documents outcomes within deadlines.

Qualifications

• General knowledge of effective interviewing methods and techniques.
• Ability to apply instructions from public assistance program laws and policies.
• Ability to work independently using written policy to calculate benefits.

Responsibilities

• Interviews applicants as part of eligibility determination.
• Explains available programs, rights and responsibilities.
• Processes applications and determines eligibility using independent judgment.
• Interprets policy and procedures applicable to program areas.
• Monitors cases for changes and updates benefits accordingly.
• Determines employability status of an applicant.
• Detects fraud cases and makes referrals.
• Maintains eligibility reports and files applications.
• Advises clients of other available services.
• Corresponds with families and agencies as needed.
• Completes and submits reports for financial assistance on Federal/State deadlines.

Skills

Interviewing

Eligibility calculations

Policy interpretation

Data analysis

Customer service

Written communication

PC use

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

General Description

Performs routine professional and technical work in the Department of Social Services. Processes applications for financial or medical assistance under government programs. May deal with emotional clients, especially when benefits have been denied. Performs other duties as assigned.

General Description

Performs routine professional and technical work in the Department of Social Services. Processes applications for financial or medical assistance under government programs. May deal with emotional clients, especially when benefits have been denied. Performs other duties as assigned.

Essential Job Functions

• ~ Interviews applicants as part of eligibility determination process.
• ~ Explains available programs, rights and responsibilities of applicants and recipients.
• ~ Processes applications and determines eligibility for financial and medical assistance using independent judgement.
• ~ Interprets policy and procedures applicable to various program areas.
• ~ Evaluates consistency and completeness of data secured, and where indicated substantiates its accuracy.
• ~ Monitors cases for changes in recipient circumstances, and implements changes to appropriately reflect benefit level within program guidelines.
• ~ Determines employability status of an applicant.
• ~ Detects fraud cases and makes appropriate referrals.
• ~ Maintains eligibility reports and files applications for individual cases.
• ~ Advises clients of other available services inside and outside the agency.
• ~ Corresponds with families and other agencies as needed.
• ~ Accurately completes and submits reports for financial assistance in accordance with Federal and State deadlines.

Requirements/Preferences

Education:

Required: High school diploma or equivalent.

Experience

Preferred: Some experience with public assistance programs.

Certifications/Licenses

None required.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

General knowledge of effective interviewing methods and techniques. Ability to apply instructions from public assistance program laws, regulations and policies. Ability to work independently, referring to written policy and procedures to calculate appropriate benefits, seeking supervisory assistance for difficult or unusual circumstances only. Ability to organize own work in an efficient manner. Ability to analyze oral and written data, recognizing gaps and conflicting information. Ability to explain financial assistance programs in a manner that is understood by individuals of varied backgrounds. Ability to work with others using interpersonal skills. Skill in obtaining information through oral questioning, forms and documents and to assemble the information into a clear and organized format. Ability to write letters, forms and documents, using correct grammar and spelling. Ability to perform mathematical calculations accurately. Skill in the use of a personal computer.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None.

Additional Requirements

Subject to a complete criminal history background search with acceptable results. Must be able to perform the job as described in the Physical and Environmental Demands section of this job description.

Other Information

Part‑time employees are not eligible for employee benefits.

Full‑time employees are eligible for a comprehensive benefit package that includes:

• Progressive Flexible Leave Plan with cash-in option
• Twelve paid holidays
• Short Term Disability Insurance
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Health, Vision and Dental Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Medical and Dependent Care
• Virginia Retirement System - Membership in VRS is automatic upon hire into a covered position. County contributes and employees pay their membership contribution.
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program
• Credit Union Membership
• Deferred Compensation Plan with County Match