Lead Eligibility Worker

Renville County • Olivia, MN

7d • $56,160 - $76,440 • Onsite

About The Position

A Lead Eligibility Worker is a skilled technical person, with comprehensive knowledge of financial assistance programs, responsible for training other eligibility workers, assigning and reviewing work, and assisting the Financial Assistance Supervisor, as needed. A Lead Eligibility Worker is also responsible for the initial and ongoing eligibility and issuance of benefits for financial assistance programs and services. The Lead Eligibility Worker communicates program requirements, assists in understanding eligibility, provides education, makes appropriate referrals to other community resources, and ensures the integrity of the financial assistance programs and services. Work may include helping Eligibility Workers with complex or disputed cases. The Lead Eligibility Worker also tracks and prepares responses to laws or rule changes, subject to guidance from the Financial Assistance Supervisor.

Requirements

• Requires considerable successful experience as an Eligibility Worker, typically three or more years, and thorough knowledge of programs administered.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret diversified, complex data, legal documents, IRS forms, insurance information, technical procedures, government regulations, etc.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and policy/procedure manuals.
• Ability to write effectively, interview clients, present information, and respond to questions from managers, consumers, and the public.
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages.
• Ability to use state and county computer systems. (e.g., Microsoft Office, MAXIS, MMIS, METS, PRISM, ISDS, SIR, EDMS, AVS, SMI, DEED, WF1, and Bluezone Scripts).
• Ability to use/operate office equipment such as computer, telephone, fax machine, copier, printer, scanner, and miscellaneous department tools and equipment.
• Considerable ability to solve complex problems and deal with varied situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of complex policy and procedures furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• To remain objective and non-judgmental and complete work accurately and timely according to state and federal regulations.
• Ability to handle confidential information and follow data practices requirements.
• Ability to thrive in ambiguous, fast-paced, demanding, and constantly changing work environments while maintaining strong critical thinking, communication, and organization skills.
• Employee is responsible and accountable for eligibility and benefit/grant decisions daily.
• The ability to correctly assess and utilize federal, state, and local dollars to prevent lost revenues and federal sanctions.
• Physical demands in this job typically require sitting, walking, standing, driving, talking, hearing, typing, repetitive movement, and seeing.
• There is exposure to computer keyboards and computer screens.
• The employee must occasionally lift and move up to 20 pounds.
• This job’s specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, and color vision.
• There is exposure to hostile, despondent, or uncooperative persons, which may result in exposure to offensive language and mental stress and effort.
• The ability to assess and diffuse these situations is essential.
• This position works under great attention to detail and deadlines.
• This position requires dealing with clients having numerous needs and substantial personal challenges.

Nice To Haves

• Leadership training is preferred.
• Multilingual skills are beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Administer Complex Eligibility Determination for Federal and State Public Assistance: Conducts complex case evaluations and extensive personal interviews with clients to assess eligibility. Explains application procedures to individuals or groups and answers questions on completing application forms. Determines eligibility and recertification of benefits for financial assistance programs according to federal, state, and local laws, policies, and procedures.
• Provide Case Management: Maintains complete and accurate records on client’s eligibility for all assigned programs to meet state and federal requirements of Department of Human Services Quality Control and Program Compliance Audits. Communicate client changes that are considered vital to appropriate staff. Informs clients of eligibility status, refers to programs and other community resources, guides to self-support. Composes correspondence and constructs reports. Resolve Income Eligibility Verification System, PARIS, and New Hire matches timely. Adjust the benefit amount or close the case. Authorize, educate, and enforce the county healthcare access plan. Assists clients in resolving health plan problems, investigating issues, and providing resolution. Impose sanctions or disqualifications for clients out of compliance. Determine Cost Effective Insurance by analyzing health insurance policies. Prepare and participate in Appeal Hearings and complete case action as needed. Identify potential fraud, provide data and information to Law Enforcement and County Attorney’s Office, and prepare administrative disqualification or prosecution cases. Recreate budget to determine overpayments and authorize recoupment of funds.
• Administrative Duties: Research and interpret policies and regulations established by legislative statutes and Department of Human Services rules to determine eligibility. Submit Policy Interpretations to DHS per specific incidents and modify procedures accordingly. Onboard Eligibility Workers in regard to policy and procedures. Provide input into developing and evaluating policies, programs, and procedures. Clarify and explain information on financial programs to other agency staff, County Board, clients, potential clients, attorneys, authorized representatives. Participate in professional staff development, training sessions, and meetings to remain current regarding legislative, policy, and procedure changes in public assistance program requirements. Represent agency at the request of the agency Director or County Board. Troubleshoot system problems or system results. Assist staff with complex cases in determining eligibility. Provide input to financial assistance supervisor on performance reviews of staff. In the absence of the Financial Assistance Supervisor, assist with county burial applications, and attend appeal hearings. Serve as Mentor for MAXIS and METS with Super User security access in METS. Review the work of eligibility workers, including review of case files, at minimum monthly. Review complex appeal hearing documents for other Eligibility Workers. Other duties and special projects assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed