Eligibility Worker

Job Title

Performs a variety of tasks related to the determination of eligibility of clients for income maintenance programs and services; establish initial and on-going eligibility for multiple income maintenance programs; communicates program requirements and assists program participants in understanding how to maintain eligibility; supports program participants in achieving the highest degree of independence and in addressing barriers to self-sufficiency; provides education, enrollment and assistance to managed health care enrollees; makes appropriate referrals to other community resources; and performs related work as assigned.

Determination of Eligibility for Programs and Services

• Determines eligibility and the amount of benefits for a variety of income maintenance programs including cash, food, medical and child care assistance.
• Re-determines eligibility and benefit amounts required by changes in client status by reviewing and verifying client information, preparing budgets and related documents, and calculating benefit amounts in accordance with established benefit standards.
• Navigates multiple program resources to interpret guidelines and processes to accurately apply them to multiple programs.
• Interviews clients to obtain necessary factual information and verifies received information as necessary in accordance with policy and data practices requirements.

Managed Care Administration

• Informs applicants about managed health care, determines eligibility for enrollment in managed health care, determines the most cost-effective insurance, and resolves problems and questions from health plans, health care providers, enrollees and other staff.

Communication, Referral and Assistance

• Explains application procedures to individuals or groups and answers questions regarding application process and forms.
• Communicates program time limits, expectations and other program requirements to clients and serves as central point of communication for financial, child care and employment services.
• Responds to client complaints and informs clients of the right and method of appeal as well as other legal rights related to provided programs and services.
• Provides requisite information on new and existing cases to child support, employment services and other appropriate staff.
• Makes referrals to social services after determining if such referrals are appropriate.
• Makes contacts with community resources as assigned.
• Advises clients on viable life options, as appropriate, and promotes self-sufficiency.
• Advises clients of case status, including explaining eligibility requirements and benefit factors, assesses client needs, and refers clients to programs and other community resources.

Assist with Legal Activities

• Prepares Estate Recovery cases for hearings, documenting the actions taken by the County and provides testimony at such hearings.
• Prepares cases for appeal hearings, documenting the actions taken by the County and provides testimony at the appeal hearing.
• Assists law enforcement and the County Attorney's office in preparing cases for prosecution and provides testimony in court.

Administration Functions

• Performs data entry into multiple county and state computer systems and retrieves information from those systems.
• Composes correspondence and constructs reports as needed.
• Maintains complete and accurate records on client's eligibility for all assigned programs.
• Provides input into the development and evaluation of the income maintenance unit's policies and procedures.

While these are the primary focus of the position, we believe strongly in teamwork and employees will be called upon to perform a variety of duties as part of their role with the County.

Position Requirements

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of office procedures, practices, equipment and software programs.
• Knowledge of multiple complex computer systems.
• Knowledge of interviewing techniques and skills in conducting interviews.
• Knowledge of the income maintenance program rules, regulations, benefits and methods of determining eligibility.
• Knowledge of other sources of financial support, including Social Security, reemployment insurance, veteran's benefits, worker's compensation, and disability insurance/pension programs.
• Knowledge of the basic principles of foster care, child and adult protection criteria, and a general understanding of mental and physical illnesses.
• Knowledge of community resources such as emergency housing, food, social services and diversionary assistance programs.
• Knowledge of real and personal property, estate and ownership laws, and their relationships to public assistance program eligibility.
• Knowledge of human behavior.
• Skill in communicating, in written and verbal form, with a culturally diverse clientele.
• Data entry and keyboarding skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, public, co-workers and agency administration.
• Ability to effectively explain income maintenance programs and procedures to recipients who are distraught.
• Ability to handle frequent procedural changes and client personal and financial crises.
• Ability to organize work, set priorities, make decisions and work independently under stress.
• Ability to be objective/non-judgmental.
• Ability to accurately and rapidly process detailed information.
• Ability to establish and maintain accurate and systematic records.
• Ability to express ideas clearly and ability to comprehend and follow complex written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to interpret legal documents, complex rules, manual materials and bulletins as they apply to income maintenance programs.

Education

High School Diploma or GED is required. Completion of the technical college Public Welfare Financial Worker diploma program is desirable.

Experience Requirements

Two to three years' experience in clerical or customer service work as well as experience in basic computer skills including data entry and Microsoft Office products.

Physical and Mental Requirements

Positions in this job typically require: sitting, feeling, manual dexterity, grasping, talking, hearing, typing, and seeing. This position encounters stress and pressure from dealing with emotional issues and conflicts. There is also sustained exposure to computer keyboards and video screens. This position is generally light-duty and may require the exertion up to 20 pounds of force on occasion and the ability to lift, carry, push, pull and move objects.

The physical demands described here are representative to those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in an office environment.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative to those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Competencies Common to All County Positions

• Develop, maintain a thorough working knowledge of, and comply with all departmental and applicable County policies and procedures
• Demonstration by personal example the spirit of service, excellence, and integrity expected from all staff.
• Develop respectful and cooperative working relationships with co-workers, including willing assistance to newer staff so job responsibilities can be performed with confidence as quickly as possible.
• Confer regularly with and keep immediate supervisor informed of all important matters which pertain to the applicable job functions and responsibilities.
• Represent Fillmore County in a professional manner to the public, outside contacts and constituencies.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative to those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.