Eligibility Worker

Kanabec County•Mora, MN

23h•Onsite

About The Position

The Eligibility Worker position involves analyzing and explaining technical and sensitive information to clients, determining initial eligibility for public assistance programs according to Federal, State, and County regulations. This role includes conducting client assessments, thorough investigative interviews, and interpreting complex rules for clients and agency staff. Key duties also encompass responding to emergent situations, explaining various agency and community services, and accurately processing financial assistance programs using computer data systems. The worker will manage cases by processing eligibility reviews, income changes, and solving client problems related to medical, dental, housing, and transportation. Additionally, the role requires composing fraud referrals, appeal summaries, facilitating integrated services with other departments and agencies, participating in multi-disciplinary staffing, and interpreting diagnostic assessments to determine program eligibility. Miscellaneous services include performing special projects, preparing for state audits, conducting peer reviews, providing backup and training to co-workers, maintaining knowledge of community resources, composing correspondence, and providing expert testimony in appeals and court hearings. The role demands adherence to HIPAA and Data Practices, and maintaining positive working relationships with various county and state offices.

Requirements

Two year degree or equivalent
Three years experience
Must pass a background check
Access to transportation
Ability to interpret legal documents, complex rules, manual materials and bulletins as they apply to income maintenance programs.
Ability to manage time and organize large volumes of work with strict constant deadlines.
Knowledge and implementation of ever-changing DHS programs, operations, policies and procedures that require daily research.
Ability to solve advanced policy and technical problems.
Considerable knowledge of principles and techniques of investigative interviewing.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, public, co-workers and agency administration.
Considerable knowledge of social-economic factors, which promote stable family life and understanding of the elements, which affect family security and knowledge of community resources.
Ability to navigate a variety of computerized data systems and case management systems.
Ability to make conceptually sound decisions while remaining objective.
Ability to perform mathematical calculations and analysis, and interpret financial documents such as IRS, insurance policies, trusts, retirement accounts, etc.
Knowledge of Social Security Administration and programs such as RSDI, SSI, SSDI, Medicare parts A, B, C, D 1619 AB status, etc.
Ability to establish and maintain accurate and systematic records which are subject to State and Federal audit.
Ability to express ideas clearly and ability to comprehend and follow complex written and verbal instructions.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Responsibilities

Analyze and explain technical and sensitive information to clients or other individuals.
Determine initial eligibility based on client’s situation for public assistance programs in accordance with Federal, State and County regulations.
Conducts initial client assessment offering application forms in person, by phone, email, or written requests, explaining application procedures for the financial assistance programs.
Conducts thorough investigative interviews with clients, vendors and collateral contacts to obtain factual information and subsequently verifies the information in the office.
Analyze and interpret complex rules and regulations and explain to clients, agency staff, and community members.
Respond to emergent situations analyzing life threatening situations, needs, and issues, determining further services needed, such as: Social Service Intake, Law Enforcement, Public Health, emergency programs, expedited food support or referrals to other agencies, etc.
Explain agency services and other community programs and services appropriate such as Social Service, WIC, PMAP, Public Health, CTC, Child Support, SSI/RSDI Advocate, Fraud, Employment Services, EBT, food shelves, energy assistance, legal assistance, unemployment compensation, Work Force Centers, Veterans Services and complete MFIP Overview, etc.
Determine initial eligibility for Financial Assistance programs.
Meet processing standards and deadlines.
Open the correct Financial Assistance programs with accuracy using the various computer data systems which include the METS (MNsure) System.
Process eligibility reviews, income reviews, vouchers, HRF’S, change report forms, addendums and status updates.
Review for completeness and documentation.
Research and implement DHS program policy.
Process all changes in eligibility while remaining detail oriented and within program processing deadlines.
Research and solve problems for clientele such as; medical transportation, dental services, housing problems, transportation issues, past due medical and/or other past due bills, etc.
Compose fraud referrals and appeal summaries.
Facilitate integrated services with multi county departments and outside agencies to provide a seamless, holistic approach to case management.
Participate and conduct multi-disciplinary staffing to assess client needs and strategies to assure integrated case planning.
Interpret diagnostic assessments for possible severely persistently mental ill, severely emotionally disturbed, learning disabilities, developmental disabilities and other diagnosis to determine eligibility for exemptions, extensions, housing and income programs, and/or program benefits.
Assist peers with policy interpretations and problem solving difficult cases.
Perform other work and special projects as assigned.
Participate in and prepare for various state-conducted program audits.
Complete ongoing peer reviews for quality assurance.
Provide back up and coverage for co-workers.
Assist in training current and new agency staff.
Act as a resource for staff by maintaining a current knowledge of community resources and referral process.
Compose correspondence and reports.
Must be able to maintain positive working relationship with County Attorney, County Administration, Department Administrative team, and other county and community committees, and Offices of the State of Minnesota for miscellaneous programs.
Demonstrates adherence to and knowledge of HIPAA and Data Practices in work assignment.
Follow County and Department Policies and Procedures.
Provide expert testimony regarding public assistance programs and present case information in appeals, court hearings and trials.
Develops, maintains a thorough working knowledge of, and complies with all departmental and applicable County policies and procedures.
Demonstrates regular and reliable attendance and punctuality.
Demonstrates by personal example the qualities inherent in public service, excellence, and integrity expected from all staff.
Develops respectful and cooperative working relationships with co-workers, including willing assistance to newer staff so job responsibilities can be performed with confidence as quickly as possible.
Confers regularly with and keep immediate supervisor informed of all important matters which pertain to the applicable job functions and responsibilities.
Represents Kanabec County in a professional manner to the public, outside contacts and constituencies.