Eligibility Specialist

Eligibility Specialist Position

Exciting new career opportunity! Join our financial unit team! Benton County is actively seeking applicants for a full-time eligibility specialist position within the financial unit of the human services department.

Position summary: The eligibility specialist worker is responsible for performing a variety of tasks related to the determination of eligibility of clients for income maintenance and healthcare programs and services. This position must determine the eligibility of clients for federal and state public assistance, while providing high-quality customer service.

Essential duties and responsibilities: A. Provide client services to internal and external customers in-person, by phone, mail, fax, or email responding to requests for information, services or referring to appropriate sources within human services. B. Performs data entry into multiple county and state computer systems and retrieves information from those systems. C. Serve as first point of contact for client services: C. 1. Answer, return and resolve client phone calls. C. 1. 1. The use of an interpreter may be required. C. 2. Utilize and maintain phone call processing system. C. 3. Assist as a navigator for clientele outreach and referrals. D. Process and assist with financial unit programs: D. 1. Schedule interviews with applicants, assist with completing applications, verify financial status, and referral to other services. D. 2. Conduct client interviews in person or by phone and verify the information received. D. 3. Establish and maintain eligibility and provide client case management. E. Provide assistance and support as assigned: E. 1. Sort, prepare, and distribute incoming mail to the appropriate person or unit. E. 2. Process incoming faxes and mail to an electronic imaging system. E. 3. Provide support and backup duties throughout the financial unit as assigned. E. 4. Assist clients in completing forms pertaining to the financial unit. E. 5. Prepare application materials. E. 6. Complete forms for collections, law offices, and/or other title companies for potential estate claims. F. Maintains cases on MAXIS, MMIS, METS, MEC2, and EBT-EDGE systems. F. 1. Enter and process client applications, including information verifications for all programs. (Supplemental nutrition assistance (SNAP), medical assistance (MA) in MAXIS or METS, Minnesota family investment program (MFIP), diversionary work program (DWP), Minnesota supplemental aide (MSA), general assistance (GA), refugee cash assistance (RCA), emergency assistance (EA), emergency general assistance (EGA), housing support (HS) and other programs, as needed. G. Communicate program requirements, maintain caseloads, manage transfers, update systems, DAILS processes, prepare monthly reports, and verify new information. H. Provides education, enrollment, and assistance to managed healthcare enrollees. I. Collaborates with employment and training staff on MFIP, DWP, and SNAP cases. J. Collect and analyze complex financial documents. K. Ensure case accuracy for audits, reviews, and quality control. L. Prepares for and attends appeal hearings. M. Responds to financial unit client complaints. N. Compute and file overpayments and fraud referrals. O. Approve and issue vendor payments. P. Support program participants in achieving the highest degree of independence and addressing barriers to self-sufficiency. Q. Assist as a navigator for clientele outreach and referrals. R. Communicate with other colleagues regarding policies, training, and changes to programs. S. Coordinate client information with other agencies.

Minimum qualifications - training and experience required: A. High school diploma or equivalent; and B. Three years of relevant experience; OR C. Equivalent combination of education/training/experience. D. Must possess a valid driver's license and be able to drive in the state of Minnesota. E. Must successfully complete a background check. F. Must complete and pass pre-employment testing. G. Obtain and maintain certifications and licensures. G. 1. Ability to obtain within 6-months of hire. G. 1. 1. DHS SNAP training and DHS-specific training.

Minimum knowledge, skills, abilities, physical demands, and working conditions required: A. Knowledge and skill in clerical and accounting functions, Microsoft Office Suite, and computer database operation. B. Ability to provide optimal customer service skills. C. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written or oral forms. D. Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, and have strong positive public relations skills. E. Effective communication with departments and clients based on information and facts. F. Knowledge of federal, state, and local rules and policies governing income maintenance programs. G. Knowledge of interviewing techniques and skills in conducting interviews. H. Knowledge of other sources of financial support, including Social Security, unemployment insurance, veterans' benefits, worker's compensation, and disability insurance/pension programs. I. Basic computation and mathematical skills. J. Ability to explain and interpret complex laws, rules, policies, and regulations. K. Ability to maintain frequent public contact, including with hostile or uncooperative individuals. L. Effective communication skills, both oral and written. M. Ability to handle confidential information and follow data practices requirements. N. Ability to work under limited supervision with general autonomy in determining how objectives are achieved. O. Ability to apply procedures, policies, and/or precedents requiring analytical ability and inductive thinking in adapting policies, procedures, and methods to fit unusual and complex situations. P. Ability to travel in with your daily work assignment. Q. Ability to travel within Minnesota, including extended overnight stays. R. Ability to work extended, evening and weekend hours as needed. S. Performs physical/mental demands of the work environment requirements for this position. T. Must comply with organizational and departmental policies. U. Attendance during regularly scheduled work hours, and outside regular hours, as necessary. V. Effective and respectful communication and interactions with other employees, supervisors, individuals from other organizations, and citizen customers. W. Must comply with data practices policies and standards relative to private data. Any access to private data should be strictly limited to accessing the data that is necessary to fulfill the employment responsibility. While data is being accessed, employee should take reasonable measures to ensure the private data is not accessed by individuals without a work reason. Once the work reason to access the data is finished the private data must be properly stored according to county policies and the Minnesota Statutes. Physical demands & working conditions: A. Work is performed in an office setting. Headaches, eyestrain, and other related occupational hazards reflect the most common potential for injury. B. Work is light duty and sedentary with ability to lift, carry or push up to 10 pounds. C. This position is exposed to mental effort and stress. D. This position frequently performs work under moderate attention to detail and deadlines. Hours of work: A. Monday – Friday 8:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M. Flexible scheduling opportunities may be available. Equipment utilized: A. Office equipment, computer, and phones.

Benton County offers an exceptional benefit package, including paid time off and holiday pay. Also included in this benefit package are health, comprehensive dental, vision, and life insurance; medical and dependent care reimbursement accounts (Section 125 Plan); deferred compensation plan, and Public Employees Retirement (pension) - (PERA).