Eligibility Worker - Big Stone County

Big Stone County has a vacancy for a full‑time (37.5 hours a week) Eligibility Worker. Under general supervision, performs a variety of tasks related to the determination of eligibility of clients for income maintenance programs and services; establishes initial and ongoing 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. Responsibilities Interviews clients to obtain necessary factual information, and verifies information received from clients. Determines eligibility and the amount of benefits for a variety of income maintenance programs, including cash, food, medical and child care assistance. Explains application procedures to individuals or groups and answers questions of individuals on how to complete the application forms. Communicates program time limits, expectations and other program requirements to the client, and serves as central point of communication for financial, child care and employment services. Advises clients on viable life options and promotes self‑sufficiency. 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. Performs data entry into multiple county and state computer systems and retrieves information from those systems. Re‑determines eligibility and benefit amounts required by changes in a client's status, by reviewing and verifying client information, preparing budgets and related documents, and calculating benefit amounts in accordance with established benefit standards. Maintains complete and accurate records on client's eligibility for all assigned programs. Provides requisite information on new and existing cases to child support, employment services and other appropriate staff. Advises clients of case status, including explaining eligibility requirements and benefit factors, assesses client needs, and refers clients to programs and other community resources to assist them in maintaining eligibility, or in the event that the client is no longer eligible for public assistance. Responds to complaints of clients and informs clients of the right and method of appeal and other legal rights. Prepares county case 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. Makes referrals to social services, when appropriate. Makes contacts with community resources as assigned. Provides input into the development and evaluation of the income maintenance unit's policies and procedures. Composes correspondence and constructs reports as needed. Qualifications Three years of clerical experience or experience working with the public, or some combination of the two, totaling three years. Two years of clerical experience in a social services/human services agency. Two years of study at an accredited two or four year college or university or similar institution, with emphasis in the behavioral sciences, business, or closely related subjects (at least 23 quarter credits or 16 semester credits). Successful completion of the technical college Human Services Eligibility Worker diploma program (applicants must be within six months of completion of the program). Successful completion of the technical college Human Services Eligibility Worker certificate program will substitute for one year of the required clerical experience or experience working with the public. An Equal Opportunity and Aff… Employer #J-18808-Ljbffr Minnesota Merit System