ELIGIBILITY SPECIALIST I - 60049373

State of Florida•FORT WALTON BEACH, FL

27d

About The Position

The Eligibility Specialist determines whether applicants and recipients qualify for government assistance programs, including Food Assistance, Medicaid, and Cash Assistance. The role processes information from electronic sources and enters it into a computer-based eligibility system in accordance with state and federal requirements. Work is high-volume and deadline-driven, requiring organization, prioritization, flexibility, accuracy, and the ability to adapt to changes in policy and computer systems. The position involves interviewing clients, reviewing documents and applications, researching and verifying information, applying detailed regulations, calculating and authorizing benefits, maintaining electronic case files, and documenting client communications. The role may involve face-to-face contact with clients and may require work during emergencies or natural disasters. Hired candidates may be eligible for telework after at least nine months of department employment, completion of training, and meeting or exceeding performance expectations.

Requirements

At least two years of customer service, interviewing, recruiting, investigating, accounting, insurance policy processing, or eligibility determination experience; alternatively, an associate degree or higher from an accredited college or university, or 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours, may substitute for the experience.
Ability to attend a mandatory training course lasting 8–12 weeks.
Successful completion of required skills assessments, including typing, general aptitude, computer skills, and employee personality profile assessments.
Ability to apply laws, rules, and regulations governing eligibility, grant determination, and case administration for multiple government assistance programs.
Ability to review images, such as pictures or handwritten notes, and make eligibility determinations based on the information provided.
Ability to communicate with others to obtain and verify eligibility information.
Ability to detect and evaluate potential fraud.
Ability to analyze and interpret written, numerical, and verbal data from various sources.
Ability to enter data accurately into a computerized system and navigate computer screens and basic computer documents and forms.
Ability to read, understand, and apply complicated and detailed regulations and policy directives.
Ability to perform mathematical computations accurately and rapidly.
Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with the public and staff.
Ability to use computers and related software packages and follow written and oral instructions.
Must be a U.S. citizen or lawfully authorized alien worker.
Successful completion of required state and national criminal background screening.
Participation in the State of Florida Direct Deposit Program is required.

Nice To Haves

Language proficiency may be considered based on agency needs at the time of selection.
Telework may be available after at least nine months of department employment, completion of training, and meeting or exceeding performance expectations.

Responsibilities

Interview applicants to obtain and verify information needed to determine eligibility for Food Assistance, Medicaid, and Cash Assistance.
Learn and apply state and federal program regulations through mandatory initial training and ongoing training.
Instruct clients on completing forms and review applications and submitted forms for completeness and accuracy.
Determine program eligibility under current regulations using a computer-based eligibility system.
Research applicant-provided information and obtain satisfactory explanations to confirm eligibility status.
Report cases in which identity theft or fraud is suspected.
Advise clients of deadlines, time frames, and required actions.
Work with clients who do not take required actions within specified time frames.
Establish, maintain, review, and update electronic case files.
Document all communications and contacts with clients.
Manage an electronic caseload and maintain accuracy while processing cases within state and federal time frames.
Compute and authorize government assistance benefits based on financial and family status, and explain monthly benefit amounts to clients.
Stay current with changes in rules, laws, procedures, and other requirements affecting timeliness and accuracy.
Review electronically uploaded document images, including pictures and handwritten notes, to make eligibility determinations.
Plan and organize caseload work in accordance with eligibility and timeliness regulations.
Work during emergency situations or natural disasters when expected.