Eligibility Worker

Salary : $60,090.00 - $84,059.00 Annually
Location : Willmar, MN
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 202600043
Department: Health and Human Services
Opening Date: 08/17/2026
Closing Date: 8/24/2026 4:30 PM Central


Description
The hiring range for this position is $60,090 - $67,204. The full range for this position is $60,090 - $84,059.
The Eligibility Worker is responsible for determining initial eligibility and maintaining ongoing eligibility for public assistance programs. This position involves supporting clients by identifying community services and resources, providing specialized information, and assisting with program eligibility for cash assistance, health care, SNAP, LTC, GRH, EW, IMD, and NFI for adults. The role may include specialized functions to best serve the needs of the unit.

Job Duties

• Reviews financial, referral, and other information to determine initial and ongoing eligibility for public assistance programs. This may involve researching information, conducting inspections, and performing file reviews.
• Determines initial eligibility for cash assistance, health care, SNAP, and other assistance programs.
• Recertifies clients for cash assistance, health care, SNAP, and other assistance programs.
• Supports clients by identifying community services and resources, conducting interviews, answering questions in person, via phone, email, or fax, providing specialized information, making referrals, scheduling transportation, setting up assessment meetings, issuing vouchers, processing transportation requests, and performing other financial case processing activities.
• Prepares, maintains, verifies, updates, revises, and/or sends out records, reports, files, forms, assessment packets, and/or applications. Enters information into, maintains, monitors, and/or updates documents, databases, online systems, and software.
• Resolves information discrepancies and complies with laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Coordinates with internal and external agencies, including but not limited to long-term care facilities, schools, vendors, attorneys, court administration, private sector organizations, healthcare providers, enrollees, and social services, child support, and accounting departments to communicate and receive information, including transferring cases.
• May be assigned specialized functions to best serve the needs of the unit.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or G.E.D.
• Four (4) years of administrative, financial support, or related experience.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Supplemental Information

Knowledge:

• Principles, practices, methods, and techniques related to the assigned program or functional area.
• Conflict resolution techniques.
• Customer service principles.
• Legal documents, including referrals and evaluations.
• Basic accounting and budget principles.
• Interviewing techniques.
• Program management principles.
• Recordkeeping principles.
• Training principles.
• Computers and related software applications.
• Strong oral and written communication skills for working effectively with clients.

Skills:

• Providing effective customer service.
• Reading and interpreting legal documents.
• Applying applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations.
• Conducting interviews and assessing client needs.
• Conducting research to support client services.
• Managing databases documenting client progress and status.
• Maintaining accurate records and files.
• Conducting training activities.
• Managing programs and administrative functions.
• Using computers and related software applications.
• Utilizing communication and interpersonal skills to interact effectively with coworkers, supervisors, the general public, and others to exchange or convey information.

Physical Requirements:

• Work is primarily conducted in an office environment with occasional visits to community locations.
• Ability to sit at a desk and perform data entry and administrative tasks for extended periods.
• Ability to lift and carry files or office supplies weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to perform occasional tasks requiring mobility.
• Ability to travel occasionally to meet with clients or external partners.
• Regular working hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, with flexibility required based on program needs or client demands.

Kandiyohi County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Kandiyohi County offers a complete benefits package to full-time employees including health, dental, vision, PERA retirement, 457(b) deferred compensation plan, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick/ESST leave.

Part-time employees who work an average of 20 hours per week over the course of a year, receive benefits on a pro-rated basis.
01


Do you have a high school diploma or G.E.D., and at least 4 years of administrative or financial support experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience?

• Yes
• No

02


Do you have experience conducting interviews with clients or individuals to gather necessary information for eligibility assessments?

• Yes, 5+ years of experience
• Yes, 3+ to 5 years of experience
• Yes, 2 to 3 years of experience
• Yes, under 2 years of experience
• No experience

03


Do you have experience identifying and connecting clients with community resources or services?

• Yes
• No

04


Do you have prior experience in resolving discrepancies in client data or information?

• Yes, 5+ years of experience
• Yes, 3+ to 5 years of experience
• Yes, 2 to 3 years of experience
• Yes, under 2 years of experience
• No experience

05


Do you have experience reviewing financial documents, referral information, or other client-related data to determine eligibility for public assistance programs?

• Yes, 5+ years of experience
• Yes, 3 to 5 years of experience
• Yes, 2 to 3 years of experience
• Yes, under 2 years of experience
• No

06


Do you have experience using databases, online systems, or software to enter and maintain client records and information?

• Yes, 5+ years of experience
• Yes, 3 to 5 years of experience
• Yes, 2 to 3 years of experience
• Yes, under 2 years of experience
• No

07


Do you have experience handling confidential client information and ensuring compliance with legal, regulatory, and policy requirements?

• Yes
• No

08


If you answered "Yes" to being a Veteran, please indicate whether you would like to claim Veteran's Preference Points:

• Yes - I am a qualified veteran who served during a qualifying wartime period.
• Yes - I am a disabled veteran with a 10% or higher disability rating.
• Yes - I am the spouse of a deceased veteran or the spouse of a disabled veteran who is unable to work due to their disability.
• No - I do not wish to claim Veteran's Preference Points.

09


If you selected "Yes" to the question above, please upload a copy of your DD214 as an attachment to this application. By initialing below, you confirm that you have uploaded this document.
Required Question