Eligibility Worker

Otter Tail County•500 Fir Avenue West Fergus Falls, MN

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Otter Tail County is accepting applications for an Eligibility Worker. The purpose of this position is to provide information and determine initial and ongoing eligibility to applicants/recipients for Income Maintenance Programs and to participate and plan implementation of unit goals, policy, and procedures.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent
Driver’s license valid in Minnesota
Three years of administrative support experience or experience working with the public.
Two years of experience in a social services/human services agency.
Associate's Degree, with emphasis in the behavioral sciences, business, or closely related subjects.
Public Welfare Eligibility Worker diploma (applicants must be within six months of completion of the program).
Any combination of the above that provides equivalent knowledge, skills and abilities.

Responsibilities

Perform intake and screens potential applicants to public assistance programs
Conduct interview to assess initial eligibility for public assistance programs
Issue cash, food support, child care, and health care program assistance
Refer clients to community agencies as needed
Explain eligibility criteria to the public, social workers and estate planning professionals
Performs case management for ongoing cases
Make frequent telephone and personal contact with clients to maintain accurate information and add or end assistance programs as needed
Respond to financial crisis by assessing eligibility for emergency programs or making a referral
Prepare correspondence and respond to inquiries
Process reports generated by a computer match such as the Income Eligibility Verification System
Understand and implement the appeals process when needed
Represent the agency during the appeal hearing
Attend staff and supervisor/supervision meetings as scheduled
Attend conferences as scheduled or agreed upon with supervisor
Attend trainings as related to job responsibilities
Complete documentation, agency timesheets, and employee records in a timely manner
Communicate schedule changes with supervisor
Utilize the status (In/Out) Board consistently to keep agency staff aware of availability
Utilize SSIS as the case management system, including time documentation, case notes, documents and other systems as applicable
Perform other duties as assigned
May assist with duties and responsibilities as outlined in the County Emergency Operations Plan and Continuity of Operations Plan