Economic Support Specialist

Juneau County•Wi 53948, WI

13d•Onsite

About The Position

This position works in a call-center–style environment and determines the eligibility of applicants and recipients for public assistance programs; determines sources, types, and levels of assistance available and takes proper action to issue benefits and conducts case management activities for eligible clients. The Economic Support Specialist interprets and applies established policies, regulations, and processes as standard practice in the accurate determination of eligibility and issuance of benefits within the specified time frames set by County, Consortium, State, and Federal regulations. This role involves conducting interactive interviews by phone and/or in person for eligibility determination and/or redetermination in the statewide computer systems and entering appropriate data to initiate, maintain, and terminate eligibility for benefits. The specialist also secures, records, and verifies all collateral data for accuracy and completeness, confirms initial benefits, ongoing benefits, and program denials.

Requirements

Graduation from high school with post-high school training or experience in Social/Human Services, two (2) years’ experience working with the public, or an equivalent combination of education, skills, knowledge, and abilities may be considered for the job.
Completes Economic Support New Worker Training
Completes Department of Children and Families – WI Shares Childcare Eligibility and Authorization Training
Knowledge of public assistance program policies and procedures.
Knowledge of interviewing techniques to elicit and probe for personal, financial, medical, or other sensitive information, including case file/computer records management.
Knowledge of administrative policies and procedures of the County.
Knowledge of county, state and federal programs pertaining to regulations and mandates under which the department functions.
Ability to utilize various computer software programs that are department-specific.
Ability to maintain accurate records of assigned activities.
Skill in time management; prioritizing duties to accomplish a high volume of quality work product requiring minimal supervision.
Skill in analyzing complex administrative information and issues, defining problems and evaluating alternatives, and recommending methods, procedures and techniques for resolution of issues.
Ability to define problems, exercise sound judgment, and address a variety of situations successfully.
Knowledge and ability to follow the policies and practices contained in the County Personnel Handbook.
Ability to work the allocated hours of the position and respond after hours if needed.

Responsibilities

Refers potential fraud cases to the Consortium’s Benefit Recovery Team by entering information into the Benefit Recovery Investigation Tracking System (BRITS).
Represents the agency in fair hearing legal proceedings by initiating correspondence to proper parties and/or agencies.
Receives change reports over the phone, online, or by mail and predetermines eligibility based on policy and change reported.
Interprets and applies established policies, regulations, and processes for accurate determination of eligibility and issuance of benefits.
Determines what verification items are needed for each program requested, interprets documents received, and enters into the State database system (CWW).
Determines Wisconsin Shares Child Care Subsidy eligibility for the eight county consortia including foster parents.
Calculates number of authorized hours for Wisconsin Shares Child Care Subsidy recipients and accurately enters the authorized hours into the Child Care Statewide Administration on the Web system (CSAW).
Calculates average monthly Child Support income using the KIDS System.
Uses federal tax forms to determine eligibility for IM and Child Care Programs for self-employed applicants.
Acts on all cases by the verification due date to maintain a 95% timeliness score for Health Care and Food Share applications.
Interprets multiple State and Federal data exchange systems to determine income received and Medicare eligibility of the applicant.
Researches, interprets, and explains Federal, State, and local policies governing eligibility, legal rights, and responsibilities of applicants & participants.
Refers applicants and recipients to other community resources as appropriate.
Performs or reviews the eligibility determination for public assistance services including, but not limited to, FoodShare, BadgerCare Plus, Medical Assistance to include Long Term Care, Caretaker Supplement, and Wisconsin Shares Child Care Subsidy.
Conducts interactive interviews by phone and/or in person for eligibility determination and/or redetermination in the statewide computer systems and enters appropriate data to initiate, maintain, and terminate eligibility for benefits.
Secures, records, and verifies all collateral data for accuracy and completeness.
Confirms initial benefits, ongoing benefits and program denials.
Attends work regularly and is punctual.
Behaves professionally and presents an appropriate standard of grooming, hygiene, and dress that align with health and safety standards.
Conducts self in such a way as to reflect positively on the County.
Fosters positive working relationships and accepts new responsibilities.
Learns and understands the safe practices for the job being performed and complies with the safe work practices and personal protective requirements for the job.