Eligibility Specialist I

Mesa County•Grand Junction, CO

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Performs initial intake and ongoing eligibility determinations for programs such as Food Assistance and Medical Programs, applying Colorado Staff Manuals and program rules. Interviews and assesses applicants by phone, in person, or during home visits; gathers and verifies information; calculates benefits; and approves or denies applications and ongoing assistance. The role also processes case changes, sanctions, recoveries, restorations, and supplements, maintains accurate electronic case files, and refers clients to community resources and other services. The position involves substantial public contact, including client interviews and front-window coverage. It provides customer service, explains program rules and client rights and responsibilities, handles complaints, and may represent the county at dispute resolution conferences, appeals hearings, or court proceedings. The specialist communicates with clients, internal teams, community organizations, providers, and state staff; collaborates with coworkers; attends meetings and training; and performs other related duties as assigned. Work is generally in a standard office environment.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Two years of office or public service experience.
Any combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Clear and effective oral and written communication.
Ability to work with substantial public contact, including client interviews and front-window coverage; the role may involve vulgar or offensive language and behavior from the public.
Ability to work mandatory overtime when required by workload, potentially including evenings and weekends.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual English/Spanish.

Responsibilities

Conduct initial and ongoing eligibility interviews and assessments by phone, face-to-face, or during home visits, and gather information about income and financial resources.
Determine initial and ongoing eligibility for Food Assistance and Medical Programs, including eligibility for Expedited Food Assistance.
Approve or deny applications, close cases when necessary, notify clients of decisions in writing, and transfer cases to the appropriate specialist, team, or closed caseload.
Help clients complete forms and obtain documentation; assess client needs and refer them to agency, community, nonprofit, and other service providers.
Screen applications and use computerized systems to research current and past assistance status and history; establish case files and categorize household composition.
Enter accurate information into complex data systems, process change forms and case changes, and maintain timely, appropriately filed electronic case documents.
Verify information through data banks, pay stubs, and contacts with employers and banks, and ensure benefit calculations are accurate.
Manage workload and paperwork, and complete documents to restore benefits, provide retroactive payments, and issue supplements.
Establish and calculate recoveries and restorations resulting from overpayments or underpayments; notify fraud investigators when information suggests benefits may have been obtained fraudulently.
Explain program rules, regulations, rights, and responsibilities to applicants and recipients; respond to program inquiries and complaints and provide customer service.
Research, resolve, and clear information on required program reports; process sanctions, identify their level and kind, and notify affected clients.
Prepare cases for and attend dispute resolution conferences, appeals hearings, or court cases in person or by telephone, representing the county and testifying to case facts.
Provide face-to-face client meetings, lobby and client interviews, application and redetermination processing, call handling, mail processing, and responses to client correspondence.
Communicate responsively with internal teams, community organizations, providers, and State staff; attend meetings and training; work effectively with and assist coworkers.
Attend meetings as a department representative and conduct oneself in accordance with department values; perform other related duties as assigned.