Eligibility Worker I - North County Area

County of Los Angeles•Los Angeles, CA

About The Position

The Department of Public Social Services is recruiting Eligibility Worker I staff for District Offices in the North County Area, including the San Fernando Valley and Antelope Valley. Under instruction and through practical experience, the position interviews applicants and participants in public assistance programs, collects and verifies financial and other eligibility information, and reviews records to determine initial or continuing eligibility for programs such as CalWORKS, General Relief, CalFresh, Medi-Cal, and Foster Care. The worker prepares and updates case information, calculates benefits and possible overpayments, explains program rules and participants’ rights, and refers people to appropriate services and resources. The role includes organizing assigned cases within required timelines, identifying suspected welfare fraud for referral, and making home calls or site visits when needed. Appointees must successfully complete approximately 10–14 weeks of classroom and on-the-job training, which is included in the one-year probation period. Some positions require a valid California Class C driver license or the ability to use an alternative method of transportation for job-related duties.

Requirements

Meet one of the following qualification options: completion of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units at an accredited college, or two years of clerical experience.
For the education option, submit legible official documentation showing the number and type of units; documents must be in English or accompanied by a translation, and international degrees must be evaluated for U.S. equivalency.
For the clerical-experience option, part-time experience is prorated based on a 40-hour workweek.
Successfully pass the required examination assessment with a score of at least 70% to be placed on the eligible register.
Successfully complete the required training program as a condition of employment.
For appointment to some positions in this class, hold a valid California Class C driver license or be able to use an alternative method of transportation for job-related essential functions.

Responsibilities

Interview applicants or participants in public assistance programs to obtain financial and other eligibility information.
Prepare forms for entering financial and biographical information into computer systems, and review generated reports to check data accuracy.
Assist applicants or participants with completing required documents.
Explain public assistance programs, applicable federal and state regulations, County policies, and applicants’ or participants’ legal rights and responsibilities.
Review and analyze financial and eligibility information to determine initial or continuing eligibility for public assistance programs.
Contact individuals, agencies, insurance companies, schools, and other institutions to verify or clarify information and resolve discrepancies.
Search income and eligibility databases to determine whether applicants or participants receive income or other public assistance and to assess eligibility.
Calculate benefits, determine whether funds may be authorized for special needs, and initiate or update participants’ financial information and documents.
Organize, monitor, and prioritize assigned cases to ensure records and documents are filed, processed, verified, and updated within required time limits.
Make preliminary assessments of applicants’ or participants’ social situations and refer potential concerns to social services staff.
Refer applicants or participants to County departments, community organizations, and other agencies for services and resources.
Identify suspected welfare fraud according to established procedures and refer cases to the Welfare Fraud Prevention and Investigation unit.
Verify earnings or income, calculate overpayments or over-issuances, generate reports and Notices of Action, and make referrals when appropriate.
Initiate job referrals for potentially employable applicants or participants as needed.
Make home calls or site visits to interview participants and clarify or verify eligibility or other information as needed.