Benefit Programs Specialist II

Virginia Department of Social Services•Bowling Green, VA

9d•$45,587 - $48,500

About The Position

Benefit Programs Specialist II is the full-performance level in the Benefit Programs Specialist occupational group. The role determines and re-determines individuals’ and families’ eligibility for financial assistance, food stamps, medical assistance, and other social services benefit programs. Work is performed within established policies, procedures, and guidelines, with independent judgment used in certain eligibility determinations, particularly when evaluating social factors. Employees seek supervisory assistance only for difficult or unusual situations. Unlike a Benefit Programs Specialist III, this role does not perform advanced technical work on complex cases or serve as a technical resource to others. The position requires working knowledge of public service organizations, economic and basic human behavior, financial assistance programs, applicable eligibility requirements and guidelines, mathematics, and interviewing techniques. It also requires skill in using a personal computer and associated office and agency software, along with the ability to communicate effectively, gather and analyze information, make referrals and mathematical computations, use automated technology to maintain case records and access data, protect confidentiality, exercise sound judgment, and maintain effective working relationships.

Requirements

Working knowledge of public service organization practices and economic and basic human behavior.
Working knowledge of financial assistance programs sufficient to determine and re-determine benefit eligibility.
Working knowledge of eligibility requirements for social service assistance under State, Local, and Federal guidelines, regulations, and policies.
Working knowledge of mathematics for calculating percentages, formulas, and averages.
Working knowledge of interviewing techniques, including data collection and investigation.
Skill in operating a personal computer and associated office and agency software.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with a broad range of people, including customers, employers, courts, and medical professionals, in person and by phone.
Ability to interview, gather information, re-evaluate client situations, and make referrals.
Ability to determine a client’s ownership share and perform mathematical computations.
Ability to analyze information from multiple sources, identify missing information and gaps, and apply common-sense understanding to written and oral instructions.
Ability to use automated technology to establish and maintain case records, access data such as estates, retirement accounts, and real estate, and prepare reports and manipulate data.
Ability to maintain professional ethics related to confidentiality and exercise sound judgment, discretion, tact, and resourcefulness in solving problems and drawing logical conclusions.
Ability to establish and maintain effective, positive, and tactful working relationships with applicants, recipients, agencies, associates, and the public, including in stressful situations.
Experience in benefit programs and use of computer software and hardware, and completion of required Benefit Programs training, or an equivalent combination of training and experience providing the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. Education and experience are stated as the same as those required for Benefit Programs Specialist I.

Responsibilities

Interview applicants, obtain information, and re-determine their continuing eligibility.
Explain benefit programs, determine reasons and needs for assistance, and explain applicants’ and recipients’ rights and responsibilities.
Process applications for financial assistance and diversion; determine eligibility and benefit levels using automated systems and manual methods.
Interpret policies and procedures applicable to various programs.
Monitor cases for changes in recipient circumstances and implement changes to benefit levels within guidelines.
Evaluate clients’ employability status and explore potential sources of income.
Refer clients to service workers, social workers, or other agencies as appropriate based on assessment of their situations.
Prepare reports and maintain client records.
Identify possible fraud and make appropriate referrals; evaluate the consistency and completeness of information and substantiate its accuracy where indicated.
Compute assistance plans and determine allowances for special-circumstance items such as household equipment.
Explain employment services, child support services, child care services, and other programs available through the social services system.