Eligibility Worker

Eligibility Worker

The hiring range for this position is $60,090 - $67,204. The full range for this position is $60,090 - $84,059.

The Eligibility Worker is responsible for determining initial eligibility and maintaining ongoing eligibility for public assistance programs. This position involves supporting clients by identifying community services and resources, providing specialized information, and assisting with program eligibility for cash assistance, health care, SNAP, LTC, GRH, EW, IMD, and NFI for adults. The role may include specialized functions to best serve the needs of the unit.

Job duties include:

• Reviews financial, referral, and other information to determine initial and ongoing eligibility for public assistance programs. This may involve researching information, conducting inspections, and performing file reviews.
• Determines initial eligibility for cash assistance, health care, SNAP, and other assistance programs.
• Recertifies clients for cash assistance, health care, SNAP, and other assistance programs.
• Supports clients by identifying community services and resources, conducting interviews, answering questions in person, via phone, email, or fax, providing specialized information, making referrals, scheduling transportation, setting up assessment meetings, issuing vouchers, processing transportation requests, and performing other financial case processing activities.
• Prepares, maintains, verifies, updates, revises, and/or sends out records, reports, files, forms, assessment packets, and/or applications. Enters information into, maintains, monitors, and/or updates documents, databases, online systems, and software.
• Resolves information discrepancies and complies with laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Coordinates with internal and external agencies, including but not limited to long-term care facilities, schools, vendors, attorneys, court administration, private sector organizations, healthcare providers, enrollees, and social services, child support, and accounting departments to communicate and receive information, including transferring cases.
• May be assigned specialized functions to best serve the needs of the unit.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications include:

• High school diploma or G.E.D.
• Four (4) years of administrative, financial support, or related experience.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Knowledge:

• Principles, practices, methods, and techniques related to the assigned program or functional area.
• Conflict resolution techniques.
• Customer service principles.
• Legal documents, including referrals and evaluations.
• Basic accounting and budget principles.
• Interviewing techniques.
• Program management principles.
• Recordkeeping principles.
• Training principles.
• Computers and related software applications.
• Strong oral and written communication skills for working effectively with clients.

Skills:

• Providing effective customer service.
• Reading and interpreting legal documents.
• Applying applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations.
• Conducting interviews and assessing client needs.
• Conducting research to support client services.
• Managing databases documenting client progress and status.
• Maintaining accurate records and files.
• Conducting training activities.
• Managing programs and administrative functions.
• Using computers and related software applications.
• Utilizing communication and interpersonal skills to interact effectively with coworkers, supervisors, the general public, and others to exchange or convey information.

Physical requirements:

• Work is primarily conducted in an office environment with occasional visits to community locations.
• Ability to sit at a desk and perform data entry and administrative tasks for extended periods.
• Ability to lift and carry files or office supplies weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to perform occasional tasks requiring mobility.
• Ability to travel occasionally to meet with clients or external partners.
• Regular working hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, with flexibility required based on program needs or client demands.

Kandiyohi County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.