Elder Benefits Specialist

Milwaukee County; Milwaukee (WI); Hybrid; USD 35,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Milwaukee County is seeking an Elder Benefit Specialist to assist customers in locating and applying for public and private benefits. The role includes providing information about rights, complaints, grievances, and the appeals process, and offering representation at hearings.

Responsibilities include documenting contacts, assisting with applications, travel to client homes, and coordinating with supervisors and attorneys.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree is required, preferably in Human Services or related field.
• At least 1 year experience with aging population; experience with Social Security, Medicare, Medical Assistance, SSI and public benefits preferred.
• A high school diploma with 2 years of elder population experience will also be considered.

Responsibilities

• Meet with customers to gather information and assist in applying for benefits.
• Provide information about rights, complaints, grievances, and appeals; assist in hearings.
• Document all client contacts and update tracking forms/databases.
• Travel to clients’ homes to assist with applications.
• Participate in trainings and coordinate with supervisors and attorneys as needed.
• Attend meetings and assist with program administration.

Skills

Communication with clients

Documentation & record-keeping

Computer skills (MS Office)

Travel to client homes

Education

Bachelor’s degree required

High school diploma + 2 years elder population experience

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Closing Date: September 14th, 2026, or upon receipt of the first 50 applicant submissions

Elder Benefit Specialist

Department of Health & Human Services

Hourly Range: $25.37 - $38.03

Job Overview: The Elder Benefit Specialist (EBS) is responsible for meeting with customers and providing information about public and private benefits. This position will also provide customers technical assistance to access benefits. The EBS will also provide information about customer rights, complaints, grievances, appeal process, and provide representation at hearings.

Job Responsibilities:

• Assist customers to locate and gather financial & non-financial information needed to apply for public and private benefits and assist in the application process. Research benefit information and follow-up to ensure that all information is processed correctly.
• Provide timely and accurate information about public and private benefits a customer may be eligible for as well as how to apply for these benefits. Utilize information found in State and Federal websites including CARES, Forward Health, and Benefit assistance tools to assist with applications for benefits.
• Document all customer contacts related to EBS activities in the Peer Place database. Document 100%-time reporting and encounter reporting in MIDAS. Enter monetary amounts for each case that is closed. Update EBS tracking form. Maintain case files and spreadsheets.
• Provide information and technical assistance to clients about rights, complaints, grievances, and appeals.
• Attend regularly scheduled meetings with EBS supervisor and supervising attorney from Senior Law to discuss EBS case issues. Attend ADRC training and meetings. Attend State EBS training and meetings throughout the year.
• Provide representation at administrative hearings or other grievance processes, as appropriate and under the guidance of a Senior Law attorney, for individuals who are elderly, developmentally disabled, physically disabled, cognitively impaired, etc. Assist customers with presumptive disabilities application to access public benefits.
• Provide information and offer choices about community services as well as resources for individuals 60 and over.
• Travel to and from customer’s homes to assist with the application process.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Required Qualifications:

• Current resident of the State of Wisconsin
• Valid Wisconsin driver’s license and access to an insured vehicle, both maintained throughout employment.
• Willing and able to travel to client’s homes as necessary.
• A bachelor’s degree is required, preferably in a Human Services or a closely related field.
• At least one (1) year of experience working with the aging population. Experience with Social Security, Medicare, Medical Assistance, SSI and other public benefit programs is preferred.
• Candidates with a high school diploma or higher and at least two (2) years of experience working with the older adult population will also be considered.
• At least an intermediate experience with all related computer and software (MS Office) applications

Please note: Final candidates must successfully complete and pass a written sample.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Demonstrated ability to treat all clients with respect and dignity; ability to communicate detailed/complex legal information to clients, gather, analyze, and evaluate information for clients, deliver informational presentations in public group settings, research, analyze and resolve legal problems and train, mentor, and support volunteers. Ability to attend and successfully complete initial and ongoing trainings as required, navigate the Internet, and enter data accurately. Past or current experience respectfully interacting with and advocating for older adults; excellent written and oral communication skills. Demonstrated ability to read, interpret, and apply regulations governing eligibility for benefits, and work with supervising attorney for clarification.

NOTE:

This ORIGINAL APPLICATIONis open to qualified residents of the State of Wisconsin at the time of application. Candidates need to submit a full account of their training and experience (i.e., by submitting an up-to-date resume or by fully completing the application) during the application process and may also be asked to take additional written or performance tests as part of the selection process.

APPLICANTS MUST POSSESS MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AT TIME OF FILING APPLICATION