Eligibility Specialist

Wright County; Buffalo (MN); On-site; USD 38,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

Wright County is seeking an intermediate skilled administrative support professional to determine initial and ongoing eligibility for State and Federal public assistance programs. The role involves interviewing clients, processing applications, and maintaining compliance with laws.

Starting pay ranges from $27.94 to $31.29 per hour, depending on qualifications. Responsibilities include intake, eligibility reviews, case management, and coordination with state and county agencies.

Qualifications

• HS diploma or GED with three years in human services or related field.
• Experience determining program eligibility for State and Federal benefits.
• Associates/Technical degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assess, review and determine eligibility for financial, emergency, and health care programs for applicants.
• Interview and screen clients; assist with applications; refer to resources; process applications in multiple software systems for benefits.
• Enter information into State databases; verify accuracy of benefit determinations and respond to questions.

Skills

Client intake

Eligibility determination

Interviewing

Data entry

Communication

Privacy knowledge

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associates/Technical degree preferred

Job description

Performs intermediate skilled administrative support work determining initial and ongoing eligibility for State and Federal public assistance programs for individuals and/or families in a manner compliant with applicable County, State, and Federal laws, regulations, and rules; and working with clients to establish and/or maintain self-sufficiency and economic independence. Work is performed under the limited supervision of the Financial Assistance Supervisor.

Starting pay range is $27.94/hr. - $31.29/hr. depending on qualifications. Candidates who have prior work experience as a County Eligibility Specialist or have directly related experience determining program eligibility may qualify for hire above the minimum of the wage scale.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Assesses, reviews and determines eligibility by performing intakes and assessments for new applicants for financial, emergency/crisis and health care programs, Issues program benefits for eligible clients and monitors continued compliance and eligibility.
• Interviews and screens clients in person and by phone to explain program eligibility and requirements; assists clients with diverse cultural and language backgrounds with the application process; verifies income, financial resources, work history, assesses client needs and makes referrals to other agencies, programs and community resources; processes applications in multiple software systems to determine appropriate program benefits.
• Complies information and testifies during appeal hearings.
• Enters information into and reviews State database(s) regarding client eligibility and benefit programs; checks interfaces with other County, State, and Federal agencies and departments; verifies accuracy of benefit determination; refers cases and individuals to the Fraud Investigator when financial abuse is suspected; notifies clients of determination; responds to questions from clients, outside facilities, agencies and vendors regarding client benefits and eligibility.
• Performs case management activities.
• Develops and maintains knowledge of public assistance programs; serves as a resource and provides training to other staff members.
• Communicates information with internal and external partners on County, State, and Federal guidelines.
• Performs other duties and activities as assigned.

Education and Experience

High school diploma or GED, and three years of experience in human services, collections, legal, financial or customer service-related field working with State and Federal benefit eligibility programs, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Associates /Technical degree is preferred.

Special Requirements

A valid driver’s license or evidence of equivalent mobility is required upon hire.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of, and adherence to, State statutes regarding Confidentiality, Privacy, and Protected information; skill in the use of standard office equipment, including computer and software programs; verbal and written communication skills sufficient to effectively present information and respond to questions from a wide variety of audiences; reading comprehension skills sufficient to read and interpret court orders, legal documents and technical documents related to financial services; interpersonal skills sufficient to exchange and/or convey information, receive work direction, and maintain effective working relationships; ability to learn, apply and interpret laws and regulations related to State and Federal financial/healthcare programs, some of which may be complex and interrelated; ability to learn County government work flows and processes; ability to perform data entry into various databases; ability to problem solve using knowledge of multiple programs and the rules of application; ability to use de-escalation techniques with non-cooperative/non-compliant clients and when deemed necessary report escalating behaviors to law enforcement personnel; ability to learn accounting and financial systems and programs used to support department’s financial function; ability to interpret a variety of client provided information, such as tax returns or financial data; ability to effectively organize time and anticipate, plan and successfully respond to changing circumstances; ability to perform all job duties in compliance with safety guidelines and with an ongoing awareness of safety practices; ability to communicate courteously and professionally while maintaining positive working relationships with others when carrying out all job functions.

This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, speaking or hearing and using hands to finger, handle or feel, frequently requires repetitive motions and occasionally requires standing, walking, reaching with hands and arms, pushing or pulling and lifting; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work has no exposure to environmental conditions; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).