Eligibility Worker

The Eligibility Worker’s responsibilities include intake and determining eligibility. Assist clients with utilizing agency and community resources. 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 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.

Supplemental:

• The 2026 salary range for this position is $26.51 to $39.78 per hour depending on experience.
  
  • Relevant previous experience will be taken into consideration.
  • Our organization values pay equity, and hiring at the maximum of the range is not typical.
• To ensure full consideration, please submit application by 12:00 PM Wednesday, September 2, 2026 .
  
  • Applications received after this date will be reviewed only if the position remains open.
• First round of interviews will take place on Thursday, September 24, 2026.
• Communication updates will be send via email .
• This full-time position includes a comprehensive benefits package, which includes:
  
  • Medical, dental, and life insurance
  • Paid holidays, sick leave, and vacation
• Regular work hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
• 2026 Benefits Click HERE or visit McLeod County website > Employment tab.

Position Summary

The Eligibility Worker’s responsibilities include intake and determining eligibility. Assist clients with utilizing agency and community resources. 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 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.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities

The following duties are normal for this classification. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Position Duties

• Conduct effective interview, assess and determine eligibility for emergency, cash, food, child care, health care, and county burial programs.
  
  1. Arrange appropriate interviews and assess individual need for programs, and complete informative face-to-face and/or phone interviews. Evaluate circumstances through information gained in personal interviews and determine appropriate case actions.
  2. Respond to public inquiries by phone and in person regarding program regulations, explaining complex eligibility criteria and procedures.
  3. Examine applications, answer questions and explain all aspects of applicable programs, insuring clients Data Privacy rights and responsibilities are explained as mandated and understood.
  4. Assess circumstances and complete referrals for additional services.
  5. Accurately determine eligibility for Public Assistance programs.
• Advise clients of most beneficial program options and choices (Case Management).
  
  1. Review and examine monthly eligibility reports for any changes.
  2. Complete redetermination on all cases
  3. Monitor cases for periodic changes affecting income and assets and household composition such as Cost of Living Adjustments.
  4. Maintain and apply county, state, and federal regulations keeping abreast of all program changes.
  5. Respond to inquiries made to the agency by telephone, e-mail or written correspondence.
  6. Interview clients in person to assist them with problem areas concerning continued eligibility for assistance.
  7. Initiate client referrals to other available community resources as deemed appropriate to meet the needs of the client.
  8. Initiate fraud referrals and compile evidence necessary for investigation and possible prosecution. Attend and testify in court as requested. Assess disqualification periods accordingly
  9. Establish overpayments for all programs and implement correct repayment procedures.
  10. When notified of a client's move to another county, verify information, update case file and transfer completed case to new county of residence so that service to eligible persons is not interrupted.
  11. When a case is transferred from another county obtain all necessary verifications, update case file, update MAXIS, MEC-2, METS and MMIS as necessary, and make all necessary referrals regarding the case.
  12. Service cases for which other counties are financially responsible so all eligible persons receive assistance without interruption.
  13. Identify computer related problems that may require county and state intervention, notify the appropriate county and state staff, and make necessary adjustments to resolve the situation.
• Prepare and File Appeals
  
  1. Complete appeal summary within ten days, providing required documentation and ensuring all appropriate parties receive the information.
  2. Request the presence of the County Attorney, if needed.
  3. Attend appeal, take oath, and provide county's evidence justifying county actions.
  4. Take appropriate actions upon receipt of appeal decision.
• Participate in Income Maintenance Program Education.
  
  1. Participate in training for professional and personal growth.
  2. Read and implement policy bulletins, updated manual material, electronic mail, and other relative materials regarding public assistance programs and all computer systems.
• Other duties
  
  1. Confer with other eligibility workers and inform supervisor concerning specific cases as needed.
  2. Represent the agency in a professional manner when dealing with clients and other agencies.
  3. Accept applications and determine eligibility for county burials within county policy.
  4. Public speaking for community education programs.
  5. Review peer work within sub-unit to assure clients are receiving the benefits they are entitled to, reduce errors, and assure high quality work within the county.

Non-Essential Functions

• Complete other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Knowledge and skills of interviewing techniques
• Knowledge of county, state and federal policies, programs, procedures, and community resources
• Knowledge of oral communications
• Writing and mathematical skills
• Ability to prioritize casework
• Knowledge of policy manuals content and ability to interpret complex manual material from numerous program areas.
• Ability to organize and coordinate job activities and to establish and maintain accurate and systematic records
• Ability to make decisions concerning client need and eligibility with objectivity, sensitivity, and tact
• Knowledge of human behavior and the ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with supervisor, clients, fellow employees, and the general public
• Ability to diffuse emotionally charged situations.
• Ability to learn and apply new and changing policies and programs.
• Ability to apply program guidelines to a variety of situations.
• Ability to trouble-shoot and determine system problems vs. human error in regard to computer systems.
• Ability to work under the stress of short deadlines and meet tight deadlines.
• Extensive attention to detail is mandatory.
• Must have knowledge and respect of each person’s dignity, culture and history along with knowledge of migrant eligibility and resources
• Ability to promote positive teamwork and maintain an environment which is conducive to learning, growth, and empowerment.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

• High school diploma plus
• Two years of additional advanced education and four years previous work experience in a related field
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the essential functions of the job.

Required Certifications/Licenses

• Valid driver’s license and ability to maintain such license and proof of insurance.

Preferred education and Experience

• A Bachelor’s degree in behavioral sciences.

Relationships

• Applicants and recipients of public assistance programs to determine eligibility or to refer to other agencies
• General public to answer questions about social service programs
• Other government agencies including the Department of Human Services, Social Security Administration, HRA/HUD, VA , community service agencies to exchange information on individual cases
• Medical and Social Service providers to exchange information on individual cases.
• Extensive collaboration, consultation and cooperation with social workers, employment services/WorkForce staff and public health nursing staff for service coordination; County Attorney and Fraud Prevention staff for purposes of program integrity efforts; PrimeWest Health Systems case consultation and managed care coordination; Trailblazer Transits to authorize and coordinate public transportation rides to medical providers.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• None

Working Conditions

• Work is performed primarily in standard office environment.
• This job classification is regularly exposed to individuals who lack hygiene, are ill or carry communicable diseases, and who may be volatile and need to be de-escalated because they are emotionally charged over an issue.
• Some travel is required for training, meetings and conferences.

Physical Requirements Of This Position

• Required to sit at a desk for extended periods of time and perform work at a computer or talk on the phone.
• Hear and speak effectively to communicate in person and over the phone with contacts listed under Internal/External Relationships above.
• Visual acuity to evaluate clients, read computer screens and printed documents and to see to drive a motor vehicle.
• Manual dexterity to type on a keyboard and calculator and use a computer mouse;
• Perform manual tasks such as handwriting, searching through documents and compiling material.
• Office work may include reaching for documents and supplies, standing or kneeling to search through file cabinets, fingering to find files, grasping documents, and repetitive motions such as typing and sorting/compiling material.
• Ability to lift and carry files and boxes weighing up to 20 pounds.

Equipment Required to Perform This Job

• Computer Equipment
• Desktop and Mobile Telephones
• Many different types of office equipment

Additional Notes

• All positions in McLeod County are subject to a background check. This may include, but not limited to the following checks: criminal history, credit, driver’s license, pre-employment physical, pre-employment drug and alcohol screening, pre-employment psychological testing.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities


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.