ELIGIBILITY SPECIALIST I - 60049380

State of Florida • Panama City, FL

27d

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, deadline-driven, and requires prioritizing and organizing a caseload while adapting to changes in program policies and computer systems.

The position includes interviewing clients, reviewing applications and supporting documents, verifying information, applying detailed program rules, calculating and authorizing benefits, and explaining benefit amounts and required actions to clients. Specialists maintain electronic files, document client contacts, monitor case accuracy and timeliness, and report suspected identity theft or fraud. The role may require face-to-face client contact and work during emergencies or natural disasters. Hired employees 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 8–12-week training course.
• Successful completion of the required skills assessments: Typing (TT), General Aptitude Mobile Evaluation (GAME), Computer Skills (CLIK), and Employee Personality Profile (EPP). The assessment must be completed within three days of receiving the link.
• Ability to apply laws, rules, and regulations governing eligibility, grant determination, and case administration for multiple government assistance programs.
• Ability to review images, including pictures or 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 various sources.
• Ability to enter data accurately into a computerized system and navigate computer screens and basic 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.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or lawfully authorized alien worker.
• Successful completion of required state and national criminal history and background screening.

Nice To Haves

• Language proficiency may be considered during selection based on agency needs.

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 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 information provided by applicants until eligibility questions are satisfactorily resolved.
• Report cases involving suspected identity theft or fraud.
• Advise clients about deadlines, time frames, and required actions.
• Work with clients who do not complete required actions within the established time frames.
• Establish, maintain, review, and update electronic 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 benefits based on financial and family status, and review and explain monthly benefit amounts to customers.
• Stay current with changes in rules, laws, procedures, and other requirements that affect timeliness and accuracy.
• Perform job tasks in accordance with applicable state and federal laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Benefits

• Competitive employee benefits and total compensation package.
• Training, advancement opportunities, and professional development opportunities.
• Potential eligibility for telework after at least nine months of department employment, completion of training, and meeting or exceeding performance expectations.

What This Job Offers

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