SNAP Eligibility Interviewer

NYC Department of Social Services; New York (NY); On-site; GBP 34,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

The NYC Department of Social Services is seeking Eligibility Specialist II – SNAP Interviewers to determine initial and ongoing eligibility for SNAP benefits. Positions located at Fulton Street, LIC, Halsey Street, and other eligible sites offer weekday hours from 9am to 5pm.

Successful candidates will interview applicants, review documentation, and calculate benefit amounts in accordance with agency guidelines. Training and career advancement opportunities are provided within FIA/HRA structures.

Qualifications

• Experience interviewing applicants to determine eligibility for public assistance or unemployment benefits.
• Ability to gather information and prepare required documentation for eligibility decisions.
• Skills in reviewing and verifying data for accurate program disbursements and benefits.

Responsibilities

• Interview applicants/participants to determine SNAP eligibility.
• Instruct applicants on proper forms and procedures.
• Review documents to ensure compliance with agency guidelines.
• Calculate financial assistance amounts by verifying data.
• Review payment data against client information for eligibility.
• Prepare eligibility forms to initiate services.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Interviewing

Data gathering

Documentation review

Customer service

Education

30 semester credits

High school diploma + 1 year experience

Job description

APPLICANTS MUST BE PERMANENT IN THE ELIGIBILITY SPECIALIST TITLE OR BE PERMANENT IN A COMPARABLE TITLE ELIGIBLE FOR 6.1.9 TITLE CHANGE

IF YOU ARE HIRED PROVISIONALLY IN THIS TITLE, YOU MUST TAKE AND PASS THE CIVIL SERVICE EXAM, WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE, TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT.

The Department of Social Services (DSS) is comprised of the administrative units of the New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA) and the Department of Homeless Services (DHS). HRA is dedicated to fighting poverty and income inequality by providing New Yorkers in need with essential benefits such as Food Assistance and Emergency Rental Assistance. DHS is committed to preventing and addressing homelessness in New York City by employing a variety of innovative strategies to help families and individuals successfully exit shelter and return to self-sufficiency as quickly as possible.

The New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA) provides temporary help to individuals and families with social service and economic needs to assist them in reaching self-sufficiency via essential and diverse programs/services, such as temporary cash assistance, supplemental nutrition assistance, childcare, eviction prevention services, adult protective services, job training, employment plans/support, domestic violence assistance, child support enforcement, etc. The employees of the Family Independence Administration (FIA) help provide unique individual services to eligible New Yorkers aimed toward the achievement of long-term self-sufficiency.

The Family Independence Administration (FIA) operates HRA’s Job and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Centers, administering Cash Assistance, including Emergency Assistance, SNAP benefits, and medical assistance for those receiving Cash Assistance. FIA works to help clients reach their maximum level of self-sufficiency and overcome any barriers to employment.

The Family Independence Administration (FIA) is recruiting for sixty-one (61) Eligibility Specialist level II's to function as Snap Eligibility Interviewers who will:

• Determine and verify initial and on‑going applicant/client eligibility for SNAP benefits through interviews.
• Instruct and advise applicants/participants on proper procedures and appropriate forms to utilize.
• Compute and determine the amount of financial assistance for SNAP benefits by reviewing, obtaining and verifying pertinent data for proper disbursements.
• Receive and review documents submitted by applicants/participants to ensure compliance with Agency guidelines and procedures to determine eligibility.
• Recommend statistical/financial changes by reviewing and comparing actual payment file with information provided by clients to ensure Agency eligibility requirements are met.
• Prepare eligibility forms through received data, verification of accuracy, and review of authorization in order to initiate appropriate service.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Hours/Schedule

9am-5pm/ Monday – Friday

Location

• FULTON – 2400 Fulton Street, Brooklyn NY
• LONG ISLAND CITY – 32-20 Northern Boulevard, LIC NY
• HALSEY 2500 Halsey Street, Bronx NY
• ELIGIBILITY SPECIALIST - 10104

Minimum Qualifications

• Completion of 30 semester credits at an accredited college or university; or
• A four high school diploma or its educational equivalent and one year of full-time satisfactory experience in one or more of the following areas; performing the work described below:
• Interviewing, gathering information and/or preparing necessary documentation for the purpose of making recommendations concerning eligibility for public assistance or unemployment, health benefits, social security, insurance, or participation in social services or community programs, and other similar benefits; or
• Performing bookkeeping, bank teller duties, housing office teller duties, purchasing agent, assistant store manager, sales representative responsible for accounts, or customer service duties or a job in which the duties include helping customers with questions or concerns; or
• Dealing with social service agencies, legal representatives, or aiding individuals in navigating housing, social, financial or health problems or application systems; or
• A satisfactory combination of education and/or experience equivalent to "1" or "2" above. College education may be substituted for the experience in "2" above on the basis that 30 semester credits from an accredited college or university may be substituted for each year of required experience. However, all candidates must have at least a four year high school diploma or its educational equivalent.

Special Note

Work experience which provides only incidental opportunities to perform the job duties as described in "2a", "2b" and "2c" above are not acceptable for meeting the minimum qualification requirements.

55a Program

This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

Residency Requirement

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

Additional Information

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.