Benefits & Eligibility Specialist (SNAP/TANF)

State of Tennessee; Wartburg (TN); On-site; USD 39,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Tennessee in Wartburg, TN is seeking an entry-level Eligibility Assistant trainee to learn to perform initial and ongoing eligibility determinations for SNAP and TANF. You will interview customers, review applications, and determine program eligibility with supervision.

You will progress toward Eligibility Counselor 2 after a year of training, handling casework, data verification, and community referrals while maintaining confidentiality and accuracy in documentation.

Qualifications

• Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree.
• Substitution of Experience for Education: Qualifying full-time professional eligibility determination experience and/or a combination of para-professional experience as an Eligibility Assistant or a State contractor serving in this capacity for the Department of Human Services may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.
• OR
• Two years of full-time para-professional experience as an Eligibility Assistant or a State contractor serving in this capacity for the Department of Human Services.

Responsibilities

• Lears to manage a workload of initial and on-going eligibility determinations for SNAP and TANF programs based on specific demographic and economic criteria in accordance with Federal and State requirements through independently conducting probing interviews with customers by phone or in person.
• Lears to provide case management for initial SNAP and TANF eligibility, ongoing eligibility, and customer changes to assess impact on continued eligibility through direct customer engagement via phone or in person.
• Lears to calculate monthly income and expenses to ensure accurate budgeting. Documents information regarding verifications requested/received, benefits and services provided, and other case-related activity using a computerized case record and/or paper case files.
• Lears to ensure accurate receipt of entitled benefits by reviewing, verifying and utilizing data provided by customers and multiple electronic systems while maintaining confidentiality.
• Lears to assist customers with the application process and scheduling appointments.
• Lears to review and interprets program policy and explains eligibility and ongoing responsibilities for programs/services to ensure customer understanding.
• Lears to assess customer's strengths and considers their goals, desired outcomes, work activities, and supportive services to aid in self-sufficiency. Identifies benefits and services that may be available to customers within the Department or from external sources and makes referrals as appropriate.
• Lears to develop and maintains partnerships with vendors and outside organizations to obtain information, promote programs and identify available services and benefits to effectively meet customer needs and promote self-sufficiency.

Skills

Mathematics

Active Learning and Listening

Complex Problem Solving

Time Management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

General Office Equipment

Computer/Laptop/Tablet

Multifunctional Printer

Calculator

Job description

State of Tennessee in Wartburg, TN is seeking an entry-level Eligibility Assistant trainee to learn to perform initial and ongoing eligibility determinations for SNAP and TANF. You will interview customers, review applications, and determine program eligibility with supervision.

You will progress toward Eligibility Counselor 2 after a year of training, handling casework, data verification, and community referrals while maintaining confidentiality and accuracy in documentation.