Economic Support Specialist

Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development • Stevens Point, WI

2d

About The Position

Portage County Health & Human Services is hiring a full-time Economic Support Specialist to help individuals and families access public assistance programs, including FoodShare and Medicaid/BadgerCare+. The specialist works directly with customers by phone and in person, guiding them through eligibility processes and ensuring accurate and timely benefit determinations. The pay range starts at $24.71 per hour.

The role determines initial and continued eligibility for Economic Support programs; provides program and eligibility information; interviews applicants and recipients; assesses financial need and issues benefits under program policies; verifies and documents client information; and processes case changes. The specialist also investigates discrepancies, addresses benefit issuance errors, makes referrals when appropriate, and supports fair-hearing and legal proceedings. The position uses local, state, and federal computer systems and provides technical assistance to other county and human service agencies.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalency.
• One year of experience with record keeping, documentation, reporting, or bookkeeping.
• Experience using computers.
• Licensed driver with access to an insured vehicle.

Nice To Haves

• Two years of post-secondary education in a related human services field.
• Prior experience with benefits determination.

Responsibilities

• Provide information about public assistance programs and eligibility to applicants, recipients, and the general public.
• Conduct interactive interviews with applicants and recipients to determine initial and continued eligibility for public assistance programs.
• Assess financial need and issue the appropriate level of benefits under individual program policies.
• Provide information and referrals for additional assistance when appropriate.
• Monitor state systems for accuracy of calculations and eligibility decisions, and correct errors when they occur.
• Process case changes according to individual program policies.
• Verify and document client information according to individual program policies.
• Inform FoodShare recipients about the FoodShare Employment and Training Program, encourage participation, and refer clients who choose to participate.
• Use local, state, and federal computer systems, including CARES, CARES Worker Web, KIDS, ForwardHealth interChange, CSAW/CCPI, SAVES, AVS Integrimatch, and Electronic Case File.
• Provide technical assistance, consultation, and collateral contact to other county agencies or human service agencies.
• Investigate discrepancies in client circumstances identified through data exchange sources, including wage records, Unemployment Insurance data, Social Security data, prisoner data, and out-of-state EBT usage reports.
• Collect information to resolve discrepancies, determine whether benefit issuance errors occurred, and refer cases for benefit recovery when appropriate.
• Refer cases for front-end verification, fraud investigation, or legal disposition as necessary.
• Identify benefit issuance errors and take appropriate action to reconcile them under individual program policies.
• Prepare responses and supporting documentation for Division of Hearings and Appeals fair-hearing requests, provide documentation to applicants and recipients, and represent the agency at fair hearings.
• Represent the agency in legal proceedings and provide necessary testimony.
• Handle calls from applicants, recipients, and the general public through the Consortium Call Center, providing general and case-specific information about public assistance benefits.

Benefits

• Vacation available on day one.
• Choice of two health plans: a Health Savings Account associated with a High Deductible Health Plan with a County contribution, or a PPO co-pay plan.
• Wellness incentive plan with health insurance enrollment, offering up to $600 per year.
• Flexible spending account.
• Dental insurance.
• State of Wisconsin Retirement Plan with a 7.2% County contribution.
• Paid holidays.
• Paid sick leave.
• Life insurance, with premiums paid by the County for employees working a minimum of 30 hours per week.
• Long-term disability insurance, with premiums paid by the County for employees working a minimum of 30 hours per week.
• Employee Assistance Plan paid by the County.
• 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED