Economic Support Specialist

County of Jackson; Black River Falls (WI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Jackson in Wisconsin seeks a case management professional in the Department of Health and Human Services. The role involves interviewing applicants to establish eligibility for income maintenance programs, and working within state and federal rules to provide accurate information to clients.

The position requires independent work with minimal supervision, handling renewals, complex document budgeting, and coordinating with related resources. Training and court-related duties may apply.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent; college coursework preferred.
• Experience in income maintenance programs preferred.

Responsibilities

• Interviews applicants to establish eligibility for income maintenance programs.
• Reviews and processes renewals, changes, and six-month reviews to determine ongoing eligibility.
• Makes referrals to resources such as WHEAP, housing assistance, WIC, for eight counties.
• Enters applications, changes, reviews, and case notes into CARES/CWW and reviews as required.
• Processes and audits complex documents including tax forms and budgeting of income.

Skills

Typing skills

Record keeping

Independent work

Reading and interpreting laws

Mathematical calculations

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Post-secondary coursework in business/ economics/ accounting/ communications

Job description

This is a case management position with responsibilities of a confidential nature in the Department of Health and Human Services under the supervision of the DHHS Director. Employees work independently with minimal supervision in establishing eligibility for income maintenance programs, by following policies, rules, regulations and laws at a State and Federal level to provide accurate and up-to-date information to clients.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Interviews applicants either meeting face-to-face, phone, mailed in, and/or online applications to establish eligibility for income maintenance program
• Reviews and processes renewals, changes, and six-month reviews within a timely manner to determine ongoing eligibility as required and as changes occur. This requires an in-depth review of various non-financial information such as household size and relationships and immigration status. This also requires in-depth review, analysis, and budgeting of multitudes of income sources and verifications.
• Make appropriate referrals to other relevant resources/programs such as WHEAP, housing assistance, WIC, etc., for eight counties.
• Enters into computer all applications, changes, reviews, and case notes regarding programs and eligibility requirements. Requests verification as policy dictates and reviews cases as mandated
• Process and assess complex documents including various types of paystubs, assessing various pay types and rates budgeting the income accurately.
• Process and audit/reconcile complex documents such as federal taxes and relevant tax documents to budget self-employment income, including 1040, SCH 1, SCH D, 4797, S corporation and Partnership business taxes (1065, 1120S, and K1), assessing deductions and budgeting accurately.
• Processes and assesses complex medical bills and expenses, applying them to the deductibles.
• Maintains and updates all files
• Represents the county and provides information in court proceedings (including fair hearings, court appearances, processing disability applications, and fraud investigations)
• Generates benefits utilizing state computer software (CARES/CWW), federal and state regulations, mathematical computations, and collateral contact verification
• Works effectively and professionally with clients, the general public, vendors, co-workers, employers, attorneys, law enforcement, etc. This may mean travelling off premises
• Attends state-mandated and county training sessions, conferences, and meetings
• Responds to income, assets, and identification cross matches in a timely manner. Verifies by telephone or letter to clarify or question cross match information when needed
• Performs elderly/disabled related Medicaid functions: calculates patient liability, verifies improper transfers of assets, authorizes payment of guardianship-related fees, submits appropriate paperwork to State Recovery Program, determines eligibility for waiver services and cost share amounts in cooperation with case managers in ADRC unit, and refers appropriate cases for fraud investigations

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• High School Diploma or equivalent; post-secondary coursework in Business Administration, Economics, Accounting or Communications preferred
• Experience in income maintenance programs preferred

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Economic Support New Worker Training and CARES/CWW Training Certification within six (6) months of hire
• Possess and maintain a valid Wisconsin Driver’s license and have access to transportation suitable to complete necessary work out of the office

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None

Knowledge

• Knowledge of office practices, procedures and equipment, including, but not limited to, computers, copies, fax machines, and multi-line phone systems.
• Typing skills
• Ability to keep accurate and complete records
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to read and interpret documents and laws in the English language
• Ability to listen to and understand information and ideas in spoken and written format so individuals may effectively understand and convey communications
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals
• Ability to compute rate, ratios, and percentages
• Ability to apply common-sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form
• Inductive and deductive reasoning – ability to combine separate pieces of information or specific answers to problems to form general rules or conclusions; includes coming up with a logical explanation for why a series of seemingly unrelated events occur together and deciding if an answer makes sense