Eligibility Worker

Determine eligibility for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Medicaid, by interviewing clients and assisting them with filling out forms; securing information, explaining agency programs as well as rights and responsibilities to participants and applicants; gathering personal, social, and financial data to determine eligibility; and assessing the needs of the customer and making appropriate referrals.

The essential functions of the job are not limited to those listed in the job description. The City retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.

• Determines eligibility for public assistance and benefits by gathering personal and financial information; interpreting information and analyzing the details to assist with evaluations; ensuring that participants fall within guidelines set by local, state, and federal policy; completing changes in documents when necessary; keeping records up to date by performing terminations and suspensions of cases.
• Develops knowledge and skills regarding policies by researching policies; maintaining awareness with current events; studying how policies impact clients; reviewing changes to policy; and applying adjustment to job performance as necessary.
• Handles referrals by reviewing client circumstances; referring clients to internal or external departments and agencies when applicable; developing fraud awareness and dealing with clients in this regard as appropriate; testifying in court and fair hearings; and managing referrals for other situations when needed.
• Attend trainings as required.

• Performs additional duties as assigned.

Education and Experience
Bachelor's Degree, with broad knowledge in a general professional or technical field; and one to two years of experience.

• Valid Driver's License with acceptable driving record according to City Criteria

Basic familiarity with the work to know common principles and terminology and to understand and solve simple problems.

Intermediate: Ability to read papers, periodicals, journals, manuals, dictionaries, and thesauruses.

Intermediate: Ability to write reports, prepare business letters, expositions, and summaries with proper format, punctuation, spelling, and grammar, using all parts of speech.

Intermediate: Ability to deal with a system of real numbers; and practical application of fractions, percentages, ratios/proportions and measurement.

Requires providing basic information to others outside direct reporting relationships on procedures or general policies. Contact may require the consideration of different points of view to reach understanding and gain cooperation and acceptance of ideas.

Normally performs the duty assignment after receiving general instructions as to methods, procedures, and desired end results. There is some opportunity for discretion when making selections among a few, easily identifiable choices. The assignment is usually reviewed frequently.

Work requires a comprehensive, practical knowledge of a technical field with use of analytical judgment and decision-making abilities appropriate to the work environment of the organization.

No budgetary/fiscal responsibility.

May occasionally direct helpers, assistants, seasonal employees, interns or temps.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Work is sedentary in nature, requiring occasional light physical exertion. Requires adequate vision, hearing and talking to use a computer, telephone and communicating effectively with others.

• Responsible for appropriate use and maintenance of City equipment, tools and other resources, including work time.
• Regular and predictable attendance is expected.
• May frequently experience time pressure, frequent change of tasks, performing multiple tasks simultaneously, working closely with others as part of a team, and tedious or exacting work.
• May occasionally experience irregular work schedule/overtime.

Typically requires use of standard office equipment, including computer and related hardware and software, and any other equipment as appropriate or required.

The work is typically performed in an office setting, where there is occasional exposure to communicable diseases.

The employee is expected to use appropriate protective equipment for the assigned task; and any other equipment as apparent or assigned.