ELIGIBILITY SPECIALIST I - 60055019

State of Florida•Largo, FL

10d

About The Position

The Eligibility Specialist 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 it into a computer-based eligibility system according to state and federal requirements. Work is high-volume, deadline-driven, and requires prioritizing and organizing a caseload while adapting to changes in program policy and computer systems. The position may involve face-to-face contact with clients. The specialist interviews clients, reviews and verifies application information, explains forms and deadlines, researches discrepancies, and determines and explains benefit amounts. The position requires learning and applying detailed program regulations, maintaining electronic case files, documenting communications, monitoring cases for accuracy and timeliness, and reporting suspected identity theft or fraud. An 8–12-week mandatory training course is required. Hired candidates may become eligible for telework after completing training and demonstrating consistently satisfactory performance. Incumbents may be expected to work during emergencies or natural disasters.

Requirements

At least two years of experience in customer service, interviewing, recruiting, investigating, accounting, processing insurance policies, or determining eligibility; 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.
Ability to apply laws, rules, and regulations governing eligibility and benefit determinations and case administration.
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 information 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 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 skills assessments, including typing, general aptitude, computer skills, and personality profile assessments.
Complete the Candidate Profile application in full, including supervisor names and phone numbers for all employment periods and explanations for employment gaps; qualifications and application responses must be verifiable.
U.S. citizenship or lawful authorization to work in the United States.
Successful completion and approval of required State and National criminal history and background screening.

Nice To Haves

Language proficiency may be considered based on agency needs at the time of selection.
Veterans’ Preference-eligible candidates are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

Interview applicants to obtain and verify information for Food Assistance, Medicaid, and Cash Assistance eligibility determinations.
Complete intensive initial training and ongoing training on state and federal program regulations.
Instruct clients in completing forms and review submitted applications and forms 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 and confirmed.
Report suspected identity theft or fraud.
Advise clients of deadlines, time frames, and actions they need to take.
Work with clients who do not take required actions within the specified time frame.
Establish, maintain, review, and update electronic files.
Document all client communications and contacts.
Manage an electronic caseload, maintaining accuracy and processing cases within state and federal time frames.
Compute and authorize assistance benefits based on financial and family status, and review and explain monthly benefit amounts to clients.
Stay current on changes to rules, laws, procedures, and other requirements affecting timeliness and accuracy.
Work during emergency situations or natural disasters when expected.