Benefit Programs Specialist II - Intake

Virginia Department of Social Services•Suffolk, VA

18h

About The Position

Under limited supervision, performs case management and team leader/team member duties to determine eligibility of applicants for assistance through multiple benefit programs administered by the City Social Services Department. Work involves interviewing applicants and explaining multiple benefit programs, assisting applicants in completing forms, determining and advising applicants of eligibility for assistance, and providing or facilitating access to human services assistance received from applicants is correct and complete. Detects and reports cases of fraud. Maintains a variety of forms and records. Participates as a team member to improve customer service, operations, resolution of problems, and planning and control of the unit’s work. Interviews persons for assistance, obtains necessary information, and re-determines their continuing eligibility; Explains benefit programs and determines reasons and need for assistance; Processes applications for financial assistance and diversion; determines eligibility for assistance and benefit levels using automated systems and manual methods; Interprets policies and procedures applicable to the various programs; Monitors cases for changes in recipient circumstances, and implements changes to appropriately reflect benefit level within guidelines; Evaluates employability status of clients and explores potential sources of income; explains client responsibilities, rights and program availability; Refers clients to service worker as the result of overall assessment of situation; prepares reports and maintains client records; Identifies possible fraud and makes appropriate referrals; evaluates consistency and completeness of data secured, and where indicated substantiates its accuracy; Explains programs and rights/responsibilities of applicants and recipients; Explores other possible sources of income; Computes assistance plans; Determines the amount of allowances for special circumstance items such as household equipment; Identifies clearly discernible social problems and makes referrals to Social Workers; Provides applicants or recipients with information about other agencies where they may go for services as needed. Explains a variety of programs under the social services umbrella such as employment services, child support services and child care services.

Requirements

High school diploma supplemented with additional training and related work experience OR any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities
Applicants may be subject to a Criminal History Background search, Central Registry search, DMV/driving record check, and/or pre-employment drug screen.
The investigation may include fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI), local agency checks, employment verification, and references, verification of education, credit checks relevant to employment and other checks requested by the hiring authority.
Employee must be willing to work disaster related assignments, including emergency shelter duty, in the event of a natural disaster or emergency.

Nice To Haves

Prefer Bachelor’s degree in the Human Service field
Prefer experience in a local Virginia DSS agency with, SNAP, TANF, and/or Medicaid BP eligibility determination work within the last couple of years.
Prefer experience processing cases in a local Virginia DSS agency with VACMS/DMIS within the last 2 years
Prefer working knowledge of Benefits Programs (BP) Intake and Ongoing case management policies and procedures
Prefer Long-Term Care Medicaid eligibility determination experience in a local Virginia DSS agency
Prefer multilingual ability

Responsibilities

Performs case management and team leader/team member duties to determine eligibility of applicants for assistance through multiple benefit programs
Interviews applicants and explaining multiple benefit programs
Assists applicants in completing forms
Determines and advising applicants of eligibility for assistance
Provides or facilitating access to human services assistance received from applicants is correct and complete
Detects and reports cases of fraud
Maintains a variety of forms and records
Participates as a team member to improve customer service, operations, resolution of problems, and planning and control of the unit’s work
Interviews persons for assistance, obtains necessary information, and re-determines their continuing eligibility
Explains benefit programs and determines reasons and need for assistance
Processes applications for financial assistance and diversion
Determines eligibility for assistance and benefit levels using automated systems and manual methods
Interprets policies and procedures applicable to the various programs
Monitors cases for changes in recipient circumstances, and implements changes to appropriately reflect benefit level within guidelines
Evaluates employability status of clients and explores potential sources of income
Explains client responsibilities, rights and program availability
Refers clients to service worker as the result of overall assessment of situation
Prepares reports and maintains client records
Identifies possible fraud and makes appropriate referrals
Evaluates consistency and completeness of data secured, and where indicated substantiates its accuracy
Explains programs and rights/responsibilities of applicants and recipients
Explores other possible sources of income
Computes assistance plans
Determines the amount of allowances for special circumstance items such as household equipment
Identifies clearly discernible social problems and makes referrals to Social Workers
Provides applicants or recipients with information about other agencies where they may go for services as needed
Explains a variety of programs under the social services umbrella such as employment services, child support services and child care services