Finanicial Assistance Specialist

Crow Wing, County of•Brainerd, MN

About The Position

Under general supervision, acts as lead worker to a number of other eligibility workers involved in one or more of the income maintenance programs. Provides training to other eligibility workers and assigns and reviews their work. Performs a variety of tasks related to the determination of eligibility of clients for income maintenance programs and services. Establishes initial and on-going eligibility for multiple income maintenance programs. Communicates program requirements and assists program participants in understanding how to maintain eligibility. Supports program participants in achieving the highest degree of independence and in addressing barriers to self-sufficiency. Provides education, enrollment and assistance to managed health care enrollees. Makes appropriate referrals to other community resources.

Requirements

High School diploma or equivalent
Five or more years’ experience of a similar nature and scope of responsibility or equivalent knowledge gained from a combination of experience and/or education.
Comprehensive knowledge of computer software and information systems.
Knowledge of investigative interviewing techniques.
Knowledge of community resources.
Knowledge of psychology, mental and physical illness, developmental disabilities, adult, and child protection criteria.
Knowledge of real and personal property, estate and ownership laws, and their relationships to public assistance program eligibility.
High level of analytical skills.
Considerable ability to work effectively with the public, department and County associates in a professional manner.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Ability to work independently and as a team member.
Ability to work under stress and use discretion in making decisions.
Ability to prioritize work according to client and agency needs.
Ability to assess a person's social, economic, emotional, and health needs.

Responsibilities

Interviews clients to obtain necessary factual information, and verifies information received from clients.
Determines eligibility and the amount of benefits for a variety of income maintenance programs, including cash, food, medical and child care assistance.
Explains application procedures to individuals or groups and answers questions of individuals on how to complete the application forms.
Communicates program time limits, expectations and other program requirements to the client, and serves as central point of communication for financial, child care and employment services.
Advises clients on viable life options and promotes self-sufficiency.
Informs applicants about managed health care, determines eligibility for enrollment in managed health care, determines the most cost effective insurance, and resolves problems and questions from health plans, health care providers, enrollees and other staff.
Performs data entry into multiple county and state computer systems and retrieves information from those systems.
Re-determines eligibility and benefit amounts required by changes in a client's status, by reviewing and verifying client information, preparing budgets and related documents, and calculating benefit amounts in accordance with established benefit standards.
Maintains complete and accurate records on client's eligibility for all assigned programs.
Provides requisite information on new and existing cases to child support, employment services and other appropriate staff.
Advises clients of case status, including explaining eligibility requirements and benefit factors, assesses client needs, and refers clients to programs and other community resources to assist them in maintaining eligibility, or in the event that the client is no longer eligible for public assistance.
Responds to complaints of clients and informs clients of the right and method of appeal and other legal rights.
Prepares county case for appeal hearings, documenting the actions taken by the county and provides testimony at the appeal hearing.
Assists law enforcement and the county attorney's office in preparing cases for prosecution, in investigating cases referred for disqualification, and provides testimony in court.
Interprets/explains rules, manual material, and policy or informational bulletins to staff and clients.
Acts as a resource person for agency personnel, providing advice and consultation to other staff on how to handle problematic case situations.
Provides back-up caseload coverage for absent staff or vacant positions within the unit to ensure that the workload is managed adequately.
Assigns work to other unit staff and reviews the work of other financial workers, which includes review of case files.
Provides on-the-job and topical formal training for new and experienced financial workers on procedures and program requirements.
Assists in the development and implementation of new policies and procedures.
Performs special projects for the unit, including compiling special reports or gathering data.
Provides input to supervisor on performance reviews of staff assigned to the unit.
May participate in the interviewing and selection process for unit staff.
Makes referrals to social services, when appropriate.
Makes contacts with community resources as assigned.
Provides input into the development and evaluation of the income maintenance unit's policies and procedures.
Composes correspondence and constructs reports as needed.