Community Work Incentives Counselor (CWIC)

The Lighthouse for The Blind in New Orleans•Baton Rouge, LA

44d•Hybrid

About The Position

JOB SUMMARY: The Community Work Incentives Coordinator (CWIC) provides work incentives planning and assistance to beneficiaries who receive Social Security Disability Benefits. The CWIC is responsible for counseling and educating beneficiaries about how employment will affect their current benefits (which may include public and private health insurance, federal, state, and/or local benefits received) so that individuals may make informed choices towards employment and self-sufficiency. This job requires knowledge of disabilities and/or social and economic disadvantages and the ability to communicate complex federal and state regulations applicable to Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicare, and Medicaid to beneficiaries.

Requirements

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in health, social work, social science, or a closely related field preferred. The equivalent of at least 6 years’ education and experience combined considered, including benefits counseling, job coaching and development, and working with people with disabilities. Current CWIC certification by Virginia Commonwealth University or ability to obtain a certification with support from Lighthouse Louisiana after employment offer.
Special Knowledge/Skills: Proficient with MS Word, Excel, and general knowledge of Windows based software. Comfortable with cloud based client management software or databases. Excellent organizational skills, analytical, and communication skills. The candidate must be able to complete necessary training and certification as well as a background check and suitability clearance through the Social Security Administration.
Experience: Experiences and/or ties to the south Louisiana community as well as knowledge or personal experience with disability.
Physical: Able to effectively perform the specified duties. Able to travel throughout the facility to safely and effectively manage all work responsibilities, breaks, and emergency evacuations, with or without a reasonable accommodation. Able to manage all self-care needs and activities of daily living as required to support successful employment, with or without a reasonable accommodation. Some regional travel required as well as out of state travel for annual training. Must be able to travel independently throughout the southeast Louisiana region.
Personality: Self-starter, highly motivated, personable, team player, detail-oriented, organized, and independent.
Working Conditions: inside, office setting, remote, and field work. Some travel required.
Work Schedule: Full-time / Hourly.
Background Check and Drug Test Required: Employment is contingent based upon satisfactory results. An independent suitability and background check is performed through the e-Quip system by Social Security Administration (Federal Suitability Level 5). Must be able to obtain suitability clearance.

Responsibilities

Assist Clients – 65%
Conduct intakes and provide Information & Referral (I&R) services to beneficiaries.
Obtain and evaluate information about a beneficiary.
Maintain a full caseload of referred clients.
Educate beneficiaries on the potential impacts of employment and the work incentives that are available.
Develop Individualized Benefits Summary & Analysis reports, Work Incentives Plans, and other correspondence.
Deliver follow-along services to help beneficiaries manage their benefits, report income, and access available work incentives.
Update work plans and benefits summary and analysis conduct regular reviews of client outcomes and modify plans as needed.
Support Services – 30%
Assess collected documentation for accuracy.
Analyze documentation to determine the potential impact of employment on benefits.
Maintain communication with Social Security Administration personnel and other local and state agencies.
Input beneficiary information into National WIPA Database.
Maintain files and electronic records per federal requirements including status regarding clients served.
Submit regular status reports to include clients serviced, services delivered, outreach activities, etc.
Outreach / Training – 5%
Prepare materials, connect with community groups, advocates, and others.
Maintain ongoing close contact with the SSA personnel including PASS Cadres, Claims Representatives, Work Incentives Liaisons (WILs), and Area Work Incentive Coordinators (AWICs).
Refer beneficiaries to the helpline.