Housing and Benefits Specialist (31358)

Newnarrativepdx; Tigard (OR); On-site; Full time

Job summary

A leading nonprofit organization in Tigard is seeking a Housing and Benefits Specialist to support adults with severe mental illness in accessing public benefits and securing stable housing. This role involves collaboration with a multidisciplinary team to provide individualized care and support, ensuring participants receive the necessary resources for their well-being. The ideal candidate will have strong organizational and communication skills, along with a QMHA qualification or relevant experience in social services.

Qualifications

• QMHA qualification or Bachelor's in social work or 3 years relevant experience.
• Strong communication and advocacy skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist participants with benefits applications and housing support.
• Coordinate appointments and provide support during meetings.
• Advocate for participants in navigating housing-related issues.

Skills

Organizational Skills

Communication

Advocacy

Education

QMHA qualification or Bachelor's in social work

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Tigard, OR

Position Type: Full Time

Education Level: QMHA

Salary Range: $25.00 Hourly

Job Shift: Day

Job Category: Nonprofit - Social Services

Description

Required: Qualified Mental Health Associate (QMHA)
Pay starts at $25/hr and can increase DOE

Housing and Benefits Specialist

Job Summary: The Housing and Benefits Specialist will work with adults diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) as part of a multidisciplinary team dedicated to providing whole-person care to participants receiving outpatient mental health services. The Housing and Benefits Specialist is responsible for helping participants access, apply for, and maintain various public benefits, including but not limited to Social Security benefits, food stamps (SNAP), payee services, and health insurance. In addition, this role will support participants who are unhoused or precariously housed in finding, applying for, and securing appropriate housing. The Housing and Benefits Specialist will also assist participants in accessing housing vouchers and other relevant resources to facilitate stable housing. Once housed, the Housing Specialist will remain the key point of contact for ongoing voucher support. Additionally, the Housing Specialist will lead a Rent Well Group to provide participants with essential skills for securing and maintaining housing.

This position involves collaboration as a part of the participant's care team and providing individualized support based on participants' needs, including assistance with applications, appointment coordination, and follow-up.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist participants with the application process for benefits such as Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicaid, Medicare, food stamps (SNAP), and other entitlement programs.

• Transporting and accompanying individuals to agencies.

• Aiding individuals in obtaining identification and other critical/necessary documents for housing and benefits related issues.

• Coordinate appointments and provide in-person and remote support to participants during interviews, assessments, and other housing (inspections, move-ins) and benefit-related meetings.

• Serve as a liaison between participants and Representative Payee and other agencies that manage benefits to help resolve issues, track applications, and ensure continued eligibility.

• Regularly follow up with participants to ensure benefits are maintained, including assistance with recertification, appeals, and updating personal information.

• Provide clear and compassionate explanations of benefits options and requirements to participants, helping them understand eligibility criteria and the steps needed to secure benefits.

• Assist participants who are unhoused or precariously housed in finding appropriate housing options, including temporary, transitional, and permanent housing.

• Support participants in applying for housing programs, including low-income housing, supportive housing, and Section 8 housing vouchers.

• Serve as the primary contact for participants with housing vouchers, offering ongoing assistance and ensuring they meet the necessary requirements to maintain their housing.

• Collaborate with landlords, housing authorities, and other agencies to advocate for participants and address any housing-related issues.

• Conduct housing assessments to identify participants' needs and preferences, ensuring individualized housing plans.

• Collaborate with the multidisciplinary care team to develop individualized support plans that address the housing and benefits needs of each participant.

• Document participant interactions, benefit statuses, and progress in obtaining or maintaining benefits in an organized and timely manner.

• Stay up to date with changes in local, state, and federal benefits policies and programs and ensure that participants are informed of any changes that may affect their benefits or housing.

• Advocate on behalf of participants in navigating complex systems including issues related to discrimination, evictions, and habitability and securing the resources they need to thrive.

• Assist participants with other needs related to financial stability and access to health care, as determined by the individual’s goals and care plan.

• Host a Rent Well Group for participants, offering education on tenant rights and responsibilities, budgeting for housing, maintaining positive landlord relationships, and other key skills needed to secure and maintain housing.

• Manage New Narrative’s housing information in multiple databases including HMIS, HSRN, and PowerBI.

• Assist with the day-to-day functions of the clinic as necessary, including providing front desk support, dispensing medications, providing UDS, staffing coverage and other tasks as needed.

• Support in housing and benefits related case management and skills training

• Sharing expertise and resourcesin team meetings

• Attend and actively participate in team meetings, supporting a culture of collaboration and efficiency

• All other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• QMHA qualification or ability to obtain through a Bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, or 3 years relevant field experience, or a combination of the two.

• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple participants and track a variety of housing and benefit-related tasks, attention to detail, particularly in managing housing and benefits applications, documentation, and follow-up.

• Strong communication and advocacy skills, with the ability to explain complex housing and benefit programs in a clear and supportive manner.

• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team, coordinating with clinicians, case managers, and other service providers.

• Ability to be flexible and adaptive in meeting the unique and changing needs of participants.

• Excellent customer service skills and ability to be in the community for long stretches of time with participants.

• Superb communication and advocacy skills, with the ability to build relationships with participants, landlords, and housing agencies.

• Valid driver’s license and ability to assist participants in accessing appointments and resources, as needed.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience in social services or benefits coordination, housing services, case management, or advocacy for individuals experiencing homelessness or housing instability, especially with vulnerable populations.

• Understanding of federal, state, and local public benefits programs, including Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, and SNAP. Additionally, local, state, and federal housing programs, including low-income housing, supportive housing, and voucher programs (Section 8).

• Experience working with individuals with severe and persistent mental illness, particularly in housing and benefits coordination.

• Knowledge of the application process for Social Security benefits, Medicaid, Medicare, and other government assistance programs.

• Experience with case management or care coordination in a community mental health setting.

• Familiarity with housing challenges faced by individuals with mental illness and knowledge of trauma-informed approaches.

• Experience leading or facilitating support groups, such as a Rent Well or similar tenant education program.

Qualifications