Representative Payee Program Coordinator II

Bread For The City•Washington, DC

About The Position

The Representative Payee Program Coordinator provides support to the Payee Services Program within the Bread for the City Social Services Program at the Northwest Service Center. As an Organizational Representative Payee Bread for the City assists clients with chronic mental illness in the management of their disability benefits and eligibility for benefits in collaboration with mental health providers at community-based agencies certified by the DC Department of Behavioral Health. The Representative Payee Program Coordinator provides direct service to clients and acts as the liaison to their mental health providers to plan for the disbursal of funds according to a preset budget, address other money management needs, and maintain clients’ benefit eligibility by developing documentation for reporting to the Social Security Administration. The Representative Payee Program Supervisor provides guidance and direction to the Representative Payee Program Coordinator and is responsible for completing an annual performance review. Our ideal candidate is a highly motivated and organized individual who has the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced office environment. The Coordinator must provide timely and accurate assistance to our clients, staff, and greater community while exemplifying our motto of treating people with dignity and respect. All staff members of the Representative Payee Program are expected to work as part of this energetic and innovative team in order to provide the highest level of service possible to our clients. Collaboration among team members is essential and creative problem solving is strongly encouraged.

Requirements

A Bachelor’s degree and/or experience in human services;
Desire and ability to provide services within an atmosphere of dignity and respect;
Experience or dedication to working with chronically mentally ill and low-income populations;
Demonstrated commitment to social justice issues;
Strong time management skills and the ability to juggle multiple tasks and set priorities to meet deadlines;
Excellent customer service and telephone skills, interpersonal skills, and an ability to work well with a wide variety of people;
Ability to work with and for a diverse staff;
Flexibility, optimism, empathy, creativity, and a cooperative spirit in face of hectic working conditions without private office and with frequent interruptions; a sense of humor helps;
The ability to build rapport with diverse clients, coworkers and colleagues through effective communication, listening skills, and empathy;
The ability to work independently and solve problems creatively;
Superior written and oral communication skills and outstanding computer skills, including the capacity to use Microsoft Office and learn other programs to manage a high volume of detailed information and responsibilities;
Demonstrated ability to work as a part of a multidisciplinary team, including the ability to work with volunteers in a professional and collaborative manner;
Willingness to learn and carry out Bread for the City's commitments to social justice and racial equity;
Familiarity with Google Organization & Productivity Tools (Gmail, Google Docs, Calendar) and/or ability to learn new technology systems.

Nice To Haves

Previous knowledge of Social Security Administration benefits and the responsibilities of a Representative payee or other District of Columbia public benefits;
Fluency in Spanish and/or other foreign languages.

Responsibilities

When on site, arrives daily in time to provide 8:30am client services;
Coordinates representative payee services for individual caseload of clients who receive primary mental health support through certified community-based providers of the DC Department of Behavioral Health;
Works cooperatively and collaboratively with other members of the Representative Payee Program team, members of community-based mental health provider teams, and other members of client support systems;
Provides direct service to payee consumers, which may include, enrollment of new consumers; sharing of account information and resources during walk-in shifts; follow-up for the maintenance of eligibility for SSA benefits; assistance with budgeting and well-planned spending of benefits; and coordination with mental health team on issues of discharge and termination of services;
Reviews and maintains records and develops documentation regarding changes in clients’ situations that may impact benefit eligibility;
Develops and implements expertise in the area of Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Income eligibility and other related benefits (Medicaid, Medicare, etc.)