ELIGIBILITY SPECIALIST I - 60025838

State of Florida • Kissimmee, FL

61d

About The Position

The Eligibility Specialist I determines eligibility for government assistance programs, including Food Assistance, Medicaid, and Cash Assistance. The position processes information from electronic sources and enters data into a computer-based eligibility system in accordance with state and federal requirements. The work is high-volume and deadline-driven, requiring the specialist to prioritize and organize a changing caseload while adapting to updates in program policies and computer systems.

The role involves interviewing applicants, verifying information, reviewing applications and supporting documents, applying program regulations, researching discrepancies, and determining and authorizing benefits based on financial and family circumstances. Specialists explain benefit amounts and required actions to clients, maintain electronic case files, document communications, and process cases accurately and within required time frames. The position may involve face-to-face contact with clients and 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. The position requires an 8–12-week mandatory training course.

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, or 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours, may substitute for the experience.
• Ability to attend an 8–12-week mandatory training course.
• Ability to apply laws, rules, and regulations governing eligibility, benefit grants, and case administration for multiple assistance programs.
• Ability to review images, including pictures and handwritten notes, to make eligibility determinations.
• 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 multiple sources.
• Ability to enter data accurately into computerized systems and navigate computer screens, documents, and forms.
• Ability to plan and organize a caseload to meet eligibility and timeliness requirements.
• Ability to read, understand, and apply 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 directions.
• Successful completion of required typing, general aptitude, computer skills, and personality assessments to advance in the hiring process.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or lawfully authorized alien worker.
• Must successfully complete required state and national criminal-history and background screening before beginning employment.

Nice To Haves

• Language proficiency may be considered in selection based on agency needs.
• 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 initial and ongoing training.
• Instruct clients in completing forms and review applications and forms for completeness and accuracy.
• Determine program eligibility using a computer-based eligibility system and current regulations.
• Research applicant-provided information until satisfactory explanations regarding eligibility are confirmed.
• Report cases in which identity theft or fraud is suspected.
• Advise clients of deadlines, time frames, and required actions, including when clients have not acted within required time frames.
• Establish, maintain, review, and update electronic case files.
• Document all communications and contacts with clients.
• Manage an electronic caseload, maintaining accuracy and processing cases within state and federal time frames.
• Compute and authorize government assistance benefits based on financial and family status, and review and explain monthly benefit amounts to customers.
• Stay current with changes to rules, laws, procedures, and other matters affecting timeliness and accuracy.
• Work during emergency situations or natural disasters when expected.

Benefits

• The State of Florida offers an employee benefits package; specific benefits are not listed in the posting.
• Training and professional development opportunities are encouraged.
• Opportunities for advancement within the department.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree