Benefit Programs Specialist II

Virginia Department of Social Services•Suffolk, VA

About The Position

Under general supervision, performs case management duties to determine applicants’ eligibility for assistance through multiple benefit programs administered by the City Social Services Department. The role involves interviewing applicants, explaining benefit programs, helping applicants complete forms, determining and communicating eligibility, and providing or facilitating access to human services assistance. The specialist verifies that information received from applicants is accurate and complete, detects and reports possible fraud, maintains forms and records, and works as part of a team to improve customer service, operations, and problem resolution. The position processes applications and determines eligibility and benefit levels using automated systems and manual methods. It monitors cases for changes in recipients’ circumstances, evaluates employability and potential income sources, computes assistance plans, and makes referrals to service workers, social workers, or other agencies as appropriate. The employee must be willing to take disaster-related assignments, including emergency shelter duty, during a natural disaster or emergency.

Requirements

High school diploma supplemented with additional training and related work experience, or an equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Willingness to work disaster-related assignments, including emergency shelter duty, in the event of a natural disaster or emergency.
Applicants may be subject to background investigations, including criminal history, Central Registry, DMV/driving record, fingerprint, employment, reference, education, and relevant credit checks, and/or a pre-employment drug screen.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in a human service field.
Strong customer-related interviewing skills.
Experience within the last two years in a local Virginia DSS agency determining eligibility for SNAP, TANF, and/or Medicaid benefits.
Experience within the last two years processing cases in a local Virginia DSS agency using VACMS/DMIS.

Responsibilities

Interview applicants, obtain necessary information, and re-determine continuing eligibility.
Explain benefit programs, applicant and recipient rights and responsibilities, and reasons and needs for assistance.
Assist applicants with forms and process applications for financial assistance and diversion.
Determine eligibility and benefit levels using automated systems and manual methods, and compute assistance plans.
Interpret policies and procedures applicable to various programs.
Monitor cases for changes in recipient circumstances and adjust benefit levels within program guidelines.
Evaluate clients’ employability status and explore potential sources of income.
Assess clients’ situations and refer them to service workers or social workers when appropriate.
Prepare reports and maintain client records.
Identify possible fraud, verify information, and make appropriate referrals.
Evaluate the consistency and completeness of data and substantiate its accuracy when indicated.
Determine allowances for special-circumstance items such as household equipment.
Provide information about other agencies and services, including employment, child support, and childcare services.
Participate as a team member to improve customer service, operations, and problem resolution.
Accept disaster-related assignments, including emergency shelter duty, during a natural disaster or emergency.