Benefits Counselor - Full Time; 7590-601-N

Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens•New York, NY

About The Position

For over 125 years, Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens has been providing quality social services to the neighborhoods of Brooklyn and Queens and currently offers 160-plus programs and services for children, youth, adults, seniors, and those struggling with mental illness. Our residential housing programs serve clients with a variety of needs, including those who are formerly homeless and those struggling with mental illness. POP Management is an in house property management company of Catholic Charities Brooklyn & Queens. POP Management is the largest provider of affordable housing in Brooklyn & Queens. POP Management provides affordable housing to low-income seniors and to those with documented history of homelessness, substance abuse, and chronic mental illness. POP Management oversees and manages 25 senior buildings with 2,400 units and 4 supportive residences with 300 units for formerly homeless adults/veterans consisting of 300 units. The objective of POP Management is to provide high quality housing that responds to the needs of low-income seniors and supportive populations. STATEMENT OF THE JOB Under the direction of Program Service Coordinator and Director, the Benefit Counselor has responsibility for ensuring proper benefits/entitlements for the residents. This requires functioning as the liaison with the Social Security Administration and the New York City Human Resources Administration. The Benefit Counselor will be required to maintain a professional and ethical disposition at all times. The Benefit Counselor ensures the rights, safety and approved care of all residents by implementing best practices Aid tenants with procuring and maintaining benefits and entitlements and issues related to social determinants of health and quality of life issues and increase participation in all benefits and entitlements programs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree preferred. Associates with additional 2 years’ experience coordinating benefits minimum
2-year experience coordinating entitlements
Mathematical aptitude is required
Ability to work flexible hours and days – including weekends/evenings/holidays according to needs of a 24/7 program, to work evening hours as assigned.
Able to lift up to 10 pounds.
Able to meet with residents and/or staff throughout facilities.
Able to travel to multiple locations as needed.

Responsibilities

Aid tenants with procuring and maintaining benefits and entitlements
Aid tenants in reviewing correspondences from entitlements offices and filling out all applications as needed.
Accompany clients to Medicaid, Social Security and Public Assistance offices in order to procure benefits.
Generate reports to the central office.
Actively participate in weekly supervision, case conferences, staff and clinical meetings and staff meetings
Meet with residents to discuss benefit issues and money management plans
Work with Program Service Coordinator to address rental arrears and encourage and guide the participation of tenants in any financial literacy for financial management training program.
Maintain accurate recordings in case files
Utilize electronic case record databases as well as RFMS and other databases as required
Reporting to Behavioral Health Services Administration and/or Agency Administration issues that may have a negative impact on the reputation of the Agency, client and/or staff welfare or any corporate compliance issue
Provide holiday coverage to accommodate the needs of the program when required.
Prepare contact notes, incident reports and other documentation as needed
Collaborate with program management in the identification of new referral sources and developing marketing strategies.
Participate in screening process for new residents when required.
Act as resource for Property Management Office.
Assist with crisis intervention as needed.
Performs other related duties as requested or assigned