Benefits Enrollment Social Work Internship

Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging; North Olmsted (OH); Hybrid; USD 17,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging offers a supervised Benefits Enrollment Social Work Intern position focused on helping older adults and people with disabilities access public benefits and community resources.

You will engage clients, assist with screenings, documentation, and referrals, and collaborate with teams to support service coordination. The placement includes supervision and opportunities for guided practice and professional development.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in an accredited BSW or MSW program and in good standing.
• Eligible for formal internship/field placement through educational institution.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.
• Strong verbal and written communication, organization and time management.

Responsibilities

• Engage with clients in person, by phone or virtually for benefit screening and outreach.
• Assist with gathering information on household, income, resources and documents.
• Support with applications, renewals and follow-up for SNAP, Medicaid, Medicare Savings Programs, energy assistance and community resources.
• Coordinate referrals and advocate to determine service access and suitability.
• Participate in outreach events and prepare enrollment resources and referral materials.
• Maintain accurate records, documentation, and data tracking with supervisor oversight.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Organization

Time management

Interpersonal skills

Confidentiality

Education

BSW/MSW student enrollment

Field internship eligibility

Tools

Microsoft Office

Virtual communication tools

Electronic documentation systems

Job description

FLSA Status: Internship

Dedicate yourself to an Organization and Mission you can be proud of by joining the

Reports to: Assigned Field Instructor

FLSA Status: Internship

Dedicate yourself to an Organization and Mission you can be proud of by joining the Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging!

Our Mission

We provide choices for people to live independently in the place they want to call home.

About Us

Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging (WRAAA) is a private non-profit corporation, organized and designated by the State of Ohio to be the planning, coordinating and administrative agency for federal and state aging programs in Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain and Medina Counties. It is one of twelve Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) in the state organized together with local service provider organizations and the Ohio Department of Aging (ODA) to form the state's public aging services network. The network works together to create opportunities for older Ohioan's to receive needed home and community services and supports; and to age successfully in their own homes and communities.

Candidates we love…

• Self-motivated and compassionate professionals looking to be part of a Best-in Class organization
• Team players who are committed to providing superior service to all they serve
• Enthusiastic professionals excited to grow with an organization that values dedication, innovation and collaboration.

Position Summary

The Benefits Enrollment Social Work Intern gains supervised experience helping older adults and people with disabilities understand and pursue public benefits and community resources. The placement emphasizes client engagement, benefit screening, application support, documentation, follow‑up, advocacy, outreach and service coordination.

Job Duties

Client Engagement and Benefit Screening

• Observe and assist with in-person, telephone or virtual client conversations.
• Help gather information about household composition, income and resources, current benefits, documentation needs and barriers.
• Assist with comprehensive benefit screenings and identification of programs for which a client may qualify.
• Explain general program information and next steps using accessible, respectful language, with supervisor guidance.

Application and Documentation Support

• Help clients organize identification, residency, income, resource, medical and other required documents.
• Assist with applications, renewals and follow-up items for SNAP, Medicaid, Medicare Savings Programs, energy assistance and community resources.
• Track submission dates, outstanding documentation, case status and next steps.
• Support supervisor-directed follow-up involving delays, denials, missing information, resubmissions or referrals.

Referral Coordination and Client Advocacy

• Identify additional needs and locate appropriate internal or community resources.
• Support referrals and closed‑loop follow‑up to determine whether services were accessed.
• Help clients prepare questions and information for interactions with public agencies or community organizations.
• Promote client choice, dignity, informed decision‑making and access to available supports.

Outreach and Community Education

• Assist with outreach events, educational activities and distribution of approved program information.
• Help prepare benefit-enrollment resources, checklists and referral materials.
• Collaborate professionally with internal teams and community partners.
• Participate in occasional approved evening or weekend outreach activities when included in the learning plan.

Documentation, Quality and Program Support

• Draft contact records, screening information, follow‑up notes and other documentation for supervisor review.
• Enter and validate information in approved systems based on assigned access.
• Maintain organized records and protect confidential information.
• Assist with data tracking, resource‑library updates, workflow review, quality assurance and process‑improvement projects.

Supervision and Educational Support

• Regular supervision with a designated supervisor, including assignment review, documentation review, ethical consultation and professional development.
• Orientation to agency policies, confidentiality, safety, documentation standards, technology and program expectations.
• Opportunities for observation, guided practice, case discussion, interdisciplinary learning and progressive responsibility.
• Coordination with the educational institution regarding the learning agreement, evaluations, required hours and field education expectations.
• Immediate consultation with a supervisor for client safety concerns, suspected abuse or neglect, privacy concerns, urgent needs or ethical issues.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled and in good standing in an accredited Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or Master of Social Work (MSW) program, or a related program approved by the agency and educational institution.
• Eligible for a formal internship or field placement through the student’s educational institution.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, professional boundaries and accurate records.
• Effective verbal and written communication, organization, time management and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to use Microsoft Office, virtual communication tools and electronic documentation systems with training.
• Ability to work respectfully with people from varied backgrounds and with diverse needs and lived experiences.
• Interest in public benefits, aging, disability, healthcare access, financial stability or community-based services.

Preferred

• Coursework or experience related to social work practice, public benefits, aging, disability, healthcare, case management or community resources.
• Experience through employment, service learning or volunteer work with older adults, people with disabilities or community organizations.
• Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation and proof of insurance when travel is part of the approved placement.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

• Combination of office, remote and community-based activities, based on placement needs and agency approval.
• Possible local travel for client visits, community activities, outreach events and meetings. Some approved activities may occur during evenings or weekends.
• Regular use of computers, electronic records and virtual meeting platforms.
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend and occasionally lift up to 20 pounds, with reasonable accommodations available as required by law.

Successful Internship Performance:

• Demonstrates reliability, preparation, professional communication and openness to feedback.
• Completes assigned screenings, application-support tasks and documentation accurately and within established timelines.
• Uses supervision appropriately and recognizes the limits of the intern role.
• Protects client privacy and follows agency, program and educational requirements.
• Shows growth in engagement, benefits navigation, advocacy, documentation and collaboration.

If you are interested in joining our dynamic team of professionals, we look forward to hearing from you!

The Agency is committed to providing equal employment and advancement opportunities to all. Employment decisions are made based on each person’s performance, qualifications, and abilities. The Agency does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sex, national origin, age, disability status, health status or genetic information or ancestry, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other protected characteristic.

Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy covers all aspects of employment practices, including selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training.