ELIGIBILITY SPECIALIST I - 60049380

State of Florida•Panama City, FL

12d

About The Position

The Eligibility Specialist I determines applicants’ and recipients’ eligibility for government assistance programs, including Food Assistance, Medicaid, and Cash Assistance. The role processes information from electronic sources and enters data into a computer-based eligibility system in accordance with state and federal requirements. Work is high-volume and deadline-driven, requiring prioritization, planning, flexibility, and ongoing attention to changes in program policies and systems. The position may require face-to-face contact with clients. The specialist interviews applicants, verifies information, reviews applications and forms, and helps clients complete required paperwork. The role applies program regulations to determine eligibility, researches information, identifies suspected fraud, advises clients of deadlines and required actions, maintains electronic case files, documents communications, and manages a caseload to meet accuracy and timeliness standards. The specialist also calculates and authorizes benefits based on financial and family circumstances and explains benefit amounts to clients. The position requires an 8–12-week mandatory training course and ongoing learning about applicable regulations, policies, procedures, and systems. Candidates must complete required hiring assessments. Hired employees may be eligible for telework after at least nine months with the department, completion of training, and meeting or exceeding performance expectations. Incumbents may be expected to work during emergencies or natural disasters.

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 an 8–12-week mandatory training course.
Successful completion of required skills assessments, including typing, general aptitude, computer skills, and personality profile assessments.
Ability to apply laws, rules, and regulations governing eligibility and grant determination for multiple assistance programs and case administration.
Ability to review electronic images, including pictures and handwritten notes, and make eligibility determinations from the information provided.
Ability to communicate with others to obtain and verify eligibility information.
Ability to detect and evaluate potential fraudulent situations.
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, documents, and forms.
Ability to plan and organize a caseload to meet eligibility and timeliness requirements.
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 directions.

Nice To Haves

Language proficiency may be considered in the selection process based on agency needs.
Hired candidates may be eligible for telework 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 for Food Assistance, Medicaid, and Cash Assistance eligibility determinations.
Learn and apply state and federal program regulations through required initial and ongoing training.
Instruct clients in completing forms and review applications and submitted documents for completeness and accuracy.
Determine program eligibility using a computer-based eligibility system and current regulations.
Research applicant-provided information until eligibility explanations are satisfactory.
Report suspected identity theft or fraud.
Advise clients of deadlines, time frames, and required actions.
Work with clients who do not take required actions within established time frames.
Establish, maintain, review, and update electronic case files.
Document all client communications and contacts.
Manage an electronic caseload, maintaining accuracy and processing cases within federal and state time frames.
Calculate and authorize benefits based on financial and family status, and explain monthly benefit amounts to clients.
Stay current with changes to rules, laws, procedures, and other requirements affecting timeliness and accuracy.