Human Services Benefits Program Specialist

Virginia-Department-of-Social-Service; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Alexandria's Department of Community and Human Services is seeking a Benefit Programs Specialist II to determine and re- determine eligibility for SNAP, Medicaid, TANF and other programs. You will work independently within policies, using state systems and evaluating social factors influencing eligibility.

You will collect and verify information, respond to applicants with clear guidance, and safeguard confidential data while coordinating with community partners to connect residents

Qualifications

• Eligibility determinations for multiple programs across federal, state and local levels.
• Proficiency with automated systems to maintain client records and data integrity.
• Strong interviewing, data collection and documentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Interpret policies for SNAP, Medicaid, TANF and other benefits.
• Navigate databases and ensure timely eligibility determinations.
• Conduct detailed interviews by phone or in person to collect information.
• Provide excellent customer service and explain programs and rights.
• Gather verification documents and refer fraud when needed.
• Maintain client records and prepare required reports.
• Identify community referrals for services and resources.

Skills

Interviewing techniques

Customer service

Independent judgment

Communication skills

Data collection

Record keeping

Education

Two-year college degree in a related field

Tools

ADAPTRO

Spider

MMIS

SAVE

SVES

APPEC

EPPIC

VACMS

CommonHelp

Job description

The City of Alexandria is bordered by Washington D.C. and the Potomac River, Arlington and Fairfax counties, and Maryland. Thesmall city has a cosmopolitan feel with 150,000 people living within its 15.75 square miles. At the Department of Community and Human Services, we provide essential safety net services to help city residents enjoy a sense of well-being, safety and self-sufficiency. Our behavioral health programs provide compassionate services that support self-determination and recovery. The beauty of our diverse and resilient people and our commitment to race and social equity, coupled with a historic district dating to 1749, charming waterfront, vibrant arts community and unique places for foodies and shopping, make the City of Alexandria a uniquely wonderful place to live, work and play. We invite all qualified candidates to learn more and apply for ourHuman Services Benefits Program Specialistposition.

General Statement of Duties:

Benefit Programs Specialist II represents the full-performance level in the Benefit Programs Specialist occupational group. Employees’ responsibilities are related to the determination and re-determination of eligibility of individuals and families for financial assistance, food stamps, medical assistance, and for other social services’ benefit programs. The work is performed within established policies, procedures and guidelines, but certain aspects of eligibility determination require independent judgment, especially as related to evaluation of social factors influencing eligibility. Employees seek supervisory help for difficult or unusual situations only. The Benefit Programs Specialist II is distinguished from the Benefit Programs Specialist III by the latter’s performing advanced technical work requiring depth and breadth of knowledge to understand, analyze and act on complex cases. Also, the Benefit Programs Specialist III serves as a technical resource for others regarding social services’ eligibility programs.

A Human Services Benefits Program Specialist determines and re-determines eligibility of individuals and families for one or more federal, state, and local financial assistance programs including: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); Medicaid for families, children, the elderly and disabled, andnursing home/communitybasedcare; Temporary AssistanceforNeedyFamilies(TANF); Auxiliary Grants (AG);GeneralRelief(GR)forunattached children;and Energy Assistance; interprets and explains policies pertaining to financial assistance programs.

Workisperformedindependentlyinaccordancewithwell-established guidelinesandstandards.Unusual or difficult situationsarereferred to asupervisor. Work performed isreviewed for accuracy, clarity and completeness. The Human Services Benefits Program Specialist requires the ability to use independent judgement to determine eligibility of individuals and families for assistance, by interpreting law and policy, and by evaluating social and economic factors as they relate to eligibility, without supervisory guidance.

ExamplesofDuties:

• Interpretspoliciesandproceduresapplicabletothevariousprogramsstateandfederalbenefits programs;
• Navigatesproficientlythroughvariousdatabases(ADAPTRO, Spider,MMIS,SAVE,SVES, APPEC, EPPIC,VACMS, and CommonHelp);
• Tracksandcomplieswithstatemandatesfortimelinessand accuracycomplianceforallfinancial assistance programs;
• Conductsdetailedinterviewsonthetelephoneorinpersonto gatherrequiredinformationand troubleshoot discrepancies;
• Providesexcellentcustomerserviceincludingexplaining programs,policiesandrightsand responsibilities to applicants and recipients;
• Gathersandanalyzesverificationdocumentsreceivedfor authenticity,validity,andaccuracy,and make referral to fraud as required;
• Securesandsafeguardsconfidentialinformationfrom applicants, recipients, andfederal reports;
• Preparesreportsandmaintainsclientrecord;
• Identifiesandassessescustomerneedstomakeappropriate referralsforservicesandresourcesto community organizations, mental health, employment and Social Security Administration;
• Maintaincontinuedclientcontactthroughouttheyeartoassistclientswithamultitudeofissues and priorities for their self-sufficiency;
• Mayberequiredtosupportlocaldisasterresponse/emergencyoperationsandotherdutiesrelated to the delivery of services;
• Assistsco-workersandfillsinasneeded;
• Performsrelatedworkasrequired.

Minimum Qualifications:

Same as required in Benefit Program Specialist I with experience in benefit programs, use of computer software and hardware, and completion of required Benefit Programs training OR any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Working knowledge of practices of public service organizations. Working knowledge of financial assistance programs sufficient to determine/re-determine eligibility for benefits. Working knowledge of eligibility requirements for social service assistance as outlined by State, Local and Federal guidelines, regulations and policies. Working knowledge of interviewing techniques such as data collection and investigation; Skill in operating a personal computer and the associated office and agency software; Demonstrated ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form. Demonstrated ability to use various types of automated technology to establish and maintain case records, access data such as estates, retirement accounts, and real estate, reports, and manipulate data. Demonstrated ability to and establish and maintain effective working relationships with applicants and recipients, other public and private agencies, associates, and the public in a positive and tactful manner under sometimes stressful situations.

Preferred Qualifications:

Two-year college degree in a related field, or any equivalent combination of experience and training whichprovidesthe required knowledge, skillsandabilities. Some work experienceusingVirginia state systems. Fluent & Bilingual in both English and Spanish.