Benefits & Financial Literacy Specialist

Anthos Home•New York, NY

5d•$65,000 - $70,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Anthos|Home is seeking an experienced social service professional for the role of Benefits & Financial Literacy Specialist. The Benefits & Financial Literacy Specialist will work on a team reporting to the Aftercare Supervisor. In this role, the Specialist is dedicated to helping Participants secure and maintain the public benefits they are entitled to and build the financial footing that sustains long-term housing stability. This is a specialized, non-clinical role that complements the housing stabilization work of Aftercare Specialists. The role has two connected halves. The first is benefits navigation: screening for eligibility, supporting applications from submission through determination, accompanying Participants to benefits centers and appointments when in-person advocacy makes the difference, and staying with a case until it resolves. The second is financial stability support: working alongside Participants who have fallen behind on rent to build realistic budgets, understand repayment options, and establish the structure that keeps a tenancy intact. A core part of the job is identifying new referral partners across the city, building those relationships, and connecting Participants to them through warm handoffs. This role is hybrid, with regular travel across the five boroughs for appointments, accompaniments, and partner meetings.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, and/or 2-3 years of experience in benefits navigation, entitlements advocacy, financial counseling, or related case management.
Working knowledge of NYC and New York State benefits systems, including HRA, DSS, and SSA processes, and familiarity with ACCESS HRA.
Experience supporting households through arrears, emergency assistance applications, or eviction prevention strategies preferred.
Some familiarity with the NYC housing market and voucher system.
Experience with community-based outreach and building referral partnerships.
Willingness to travel and make multiple visits in the community, including accompanying Participants to agency appointments.
Ability to use public transportation and ascend/descend stairs, as some work locations may not have elevator access, or meet the same requirements with reasonable accommodation.
Commitment to Anthos|Home's mission and values
Highly adaptable, comfortable working in a fast-moving startup environment where processes are still evolving and flexibility is essential.
Tech-savvy and quick to learn new tools and systems; proficiency in Salesforce, MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint required.
High-performing and self-directed, with the persistence to stay with a benefits case through repeated follow-up until it resolves.
Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills; skilled at advocacy, negotiation, and de-escalation.
Excellent case note writing skills, with the ability to produce timely, clear, and detailed documentation in Salesforce.
Trauma-informed approach to working with participants navigating housing transitions, including the ability to discuss money, debt, and arrears without judgment.
Strong critical thinking and independent judgment; highly organized with sharp attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy.
Genuine passion for the mission, motivated by moving people into stable homes and committed to doing that work with urgency, care, and excellence.

Nice To Haves

Fluency in English and Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

Conduct benefits screenings to identify eligibility across SNAP, Medicaid, Cash Assistance, SSI/SSDI, SCRIE/DRIE, utility assistance programs, and other applicable benefits.
Support Participants through the full application process, including gathering and organizing documentation, completing submissions, and troubleshooting online portals such as ACCESS HRA.
Accompany Participants to benefits centers, HRA appointments, and fair hearings when in-person support or advocacy is needed.
Track pending applications and follow up proactively to resolve delays, missing documentation, and case errors.
Support Participants through denials and appeals, including preparation for and attendance at fair hearings.
Monitor recertification timelines and support Participants in completing them on time to prevent a loss of benefits.
Serve as the Aftercare team's resource on benefits barriers, troubleshooting complex or stalled cases and advising Aftercare Specialists on how to resolve them.
Partner with Participants who have fallen behind on rent to build a clear picture of income, expenses, and obligations, and develop a workable plan forward.
Support Participants in understanding and pursuing arrears assistance options, including One Shot Deal applications and other emergency assistance.
Provide ongoing budgeting and financial coaching, including saving, banking, credit building, and planning for the expenses that come with a new home.
Establish regular check-in structures with Participants working through a repayment plan so that progress is visible, tracked, and supported.
Facilitate recurring group workshops on benefits, budgeting, credit, and financial planning.
Identify, vet, and build relationships with new referral partners across benefits access, financial counseling, legal services, tax preparation, and emergency assistance.
Maintain and regularly refresh a working referral inventory for the Aftercare team.
Make warm referrals and follow through to confirm that Participants connected and received service.
Represent Anthos|Home in coalitions, provider networks, and community partner meetings.
Coordinate closely with Aftercare Specialists through case conferencing and warm handoffs, and escalate emerging housing risk promptly.
Partner with the Aftercare Operations Team on income modifications and recertifications where a benefits change affects a Participant's subsidy.
Maintain thorough and accurate progress notes and correspondence in Salesforce while upholding the confidentiality of program participants, staff, and organizational information at all times.
Enter benefits and financial data in Salesforce accurately and on time, and own the outcome metrics this role is measured on, including benefits secured, arrears resolved, and referrals connected.
Complete tasks and provide support within the Aftercare Team on an ad hoc basis.
Other duties as assigned