Benefit Programs Specialist II

Virginia Department of Social Services•Manassas, VA

14h

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 the eligibility of individuals and families 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 for certain eligibility decisions, particularly when evaluating social factors. Supervisory assistance is sought for difficult or unusual situations. This role differs from Benefit Programs Specialist III, which performs advanced technical work on complex cases and serves as a technical resource to others. The position involves interviewing applicants and recipients, gathering and evaluating information, processing applications, determining eligibility and benefit levels, monitoring changes in circumstances, maintaining case records, and explaining available programs and client rights and responsibilities. It also includes making referrals, identifying possible fraud and social problems, and connecting clients with other agencies and services. The role requires working knowledge of public service organizations, economic and basic human behavior, financial assistance programs, eligibility rules, mathematics, and interviewing techniques. Candidates need computer and office-software skills and the ability to communicate effectively, analyze information, make calculations, maintain confidentiality, exercise sound judgment, and build effective working relationships. Education and experience requirements are the same as those for Benefit Programs Specialist I, with experience in benefit programs, computer software and hardware, and completion of required Benefit Programs training, or an equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Requirements

Working knowledge of public service organization practices, economics, and basic human behavior.
Working knowledge of financial assistance programs sufficient to determine and re-determine benefit eligibility.
Working knowledge of social services eligibility requirements 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 customers, employers, courts, medical professionals, and others, in person and by phone.
Ability to interview clients, gather information, reassess situations, and make referrals.
Ability to determine a client’s ownership share, make mathematical computations, analyze information from varied sources, and identify missing information and gaps.
Ability to follow written and oral instructions and use automated technology to maintain case records, access data, prepare reports, and manipulate data.
Ability to maintain professional ethics regarding confidentiality and exercise sound judgment, discretion, tact, and resourcefulness.
Ability to establish and maintain effective, positive working relationships with applicants, recipients, public and private agencies, associates, and the public, including under stressful circumstances.
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.

Responsibilities

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