Eligibility Clerk

Eligibility Clerk C

Candidates must have been legal residents of the following jurisdiction(s) for at least four months immediately preceding the date of your application: Livingston County, or one of the following Counties: Allegany, Genesee, Monroe, Ontario, Steuben or Wyoming.

The work involves moderately complex eligibility and clerical support functions for applicants and recipients for various Federal and State funded relief programs such as: Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Emergency Assistance to Families (EAF), Emergency Assistance to Adults (EAA), Temporary Housing, Medical Assistance, Medicaid, Food Stamps (SNAP), Section 8 Housing Choice, Child Support Enforcement, and numerous other programs and services. Incumbents are expected to learn departmental regulations, policies, and procedures to relieve higher-level program staff of the more routine tasks and support functions associated with the eligibility process. This work also includes using a variety of State or Federal database management systems, and other departmental databases, to gather case information to support case processing and management, reporting, and tracking. Supervision of others is not a responsibility of this class. Work is performed under the general supervision of a higher-level staff person in the program area. This position differs from that of a Social Welfare Examiner by virtue of the limited complexity of the work and limited exercise of independent judgment. An Eligibility Clerk does related work as assigned.

• Reviews applications and re-certifications for completeness and forwards for eligibility determination;

• Advises applicants and recipients of missing information or if other documentation and/or forms are needed to complete the applications process by referring to and following established guidelines, policies, and procedures;

• Completes screening and phone interviews for applicants and forwards to higher-level program staff for eligibility determination;

• Advises applicants about the programs for which they appear eligible for assistance by referring to established departmental guidelines;

• Determines if all applicant statements are complete and consistent with all other documentation provided;

• Contacts applicants and recipients to make further inquiries, as needed, relating to matters such as household income, changes in marital status, or other elements that might affect the applicant's or recipient's eligibility;

• Follows departmental deadline-related protocols involving customer follow-up and response for additional documentation;

• Follows departmental policies for documentation and case management processing and tracking;

• Refers cases to higher-level supervisor where fraud seems indicated or suspected;

• Refers applicant to other departmental program services based on the information provided by the applicant;

• Makes collateral contacts for specific documentation or verification of documentation on behalf of program staff;

• May interview applicants by using a screening checklist tool and interfacing with database systems;

• Enters information provided by the applicant into database systems;

• Receives checks, money orders, or proof of payment from benefit recipients;

• Generates notices to recipients of agency actions relating to changes in benefits either through a system-generated notification or using standard templates;

• Researches paper and electronic records to obtain missing information to assist in completing case summaries and records of actions taken;

• Receives a variety of documents and scans and indexes as needed;

• Uses a variety of database management systems to maintain, query, and retrieve agency records;

• Creates, maintains, and/or updates internal departmental tracking documents and logs to assist in case management, retention, and/or destruction;

• Keeps abreast of program relevant regulations, policies, and procedures to respond to customer inquiries and provides eligibility support functions to program staff in an effective manner;

• Coordinates and schedules meetings for eligibility staff and managers, as necessary;

• Serves as initial contact for solving applicant inquiries/complaints;

• Adheres to departmental customer service standards;

• Uses computer applications or other automated systems such as spreadsheets, word processing, calendar, email, and database software in performing work assignments; and

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Good knowledge of modern office procedures, including filing systems and automated office equipment; good customer service skills; skill in computer use; ability to maintain confidentiality; ability to get along with others; ability to work effectively with other employees; ability to meet with the public; ability to analyze facts related to the determination of financial eligibility or assistance; ability to work with applicable regulations governing the program; ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions; ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; ability to record information legibly and accurately; ability to effectively use computer applications such as spreadsheets, word processing, calendar, email, and database software; clerical aptitude; tact and courtesy; emotional maturity; physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

Applicants must meet all requirements for one of the following qualification options in order to be approved for examination and/or appointment:

Training/Education - Possession of an Associate's degree. - Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma.

General experience - None required. - Two (2) years of full-time, paid clerical experience; AND One (1) year of the above experience must have included the use of automated systems and involved the examination or evaluation of completed forms or applications.

Supervisory experience - N.A.

License/Certification - None required.

Other requirements - N.A.

Part-time service will be given prorated credit toward experience requirements.

A higher degree is also acceptable. Your degree must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education. If your degree was awarded by an educational institution outside the United States and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. A list of acceptable companies who provide this service can be found on the Internet at . You must pay the required evaluation fee.

An individual who receives a provisional appointment must take the examination for the position title on the next occasion it is offered. In order to be eligible for a permanent appointment to the position, the provisional appointee must pass the exam and be ranked 1, 2, 3, or be tied in score with the individual ranked number 3 of those who are willing to accept appointment to the position. It should be understood that even if the provisional appointee is eligible for appointment, the employer may choose another candidate to fill the position on a permanent basis. Questions regarding provisional appointments should be directed to the Livingston County Human Resources Department. Livingston County residency is not a requirement for this position. However, Livingston County residents will be given preference in the hiring process.