Benefits Enrollment Social Work Internship

WESTERN RESERVE AREA AGENCY ON AGING•North Olmsted, OH

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Benefits Enrollment Social Work Intern gains supervised experience helping older adults and people with disabilities understand and pursue public benefits and community resources. The placement emphasizes client engagement, benefit screening, application support, documentation, follow-up, advocacy, outreach and service coordination.

Requirements

Currently enrolled and in good standing in an accredited Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or Master of Social Work (MSW) program, or a related program approved by the agency and educational institution.
Eligible for a formal internship or field placement through the student’s educational institution.
Ability to maintain confidentiality, professional boundaries and accurate records.
Effective verbal and written communication, organization, time management and interpersonal skills.
Ability to use Microsoft Office, virtual communication tools and electronic documentation systems with training.
Ability to work respectfully with people from varied backgrounds and with diverse needs and lived experiences.
Interest in public benefits, aging, disability, healthcare access, financial stability or community-based services.

Nice To Haves

Coursework or experience related to social work practice, public benefits, aging, disability, healthcare, case management or community resources.
Experience through employment, service learning or volunteer work with older adults, people with disabilities or community organizations.
Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation and proof of insurance when travel is part of the approved placement.

Responsibilities

Observe and assist with in-person, telephone or virtual client conversations.
Help gather information about household composition, income and resources, current benefits, documentation needs and barriers.
Assist with comprehensive benefit screenings and identification of programs for which a client may qualify.
Explain general program information and next steps using accessible, respectful language, with supervisor guidance.
Help clients organize identification, residency, income, resource, medical and other required documents.
Assist with applications, renewals and follow-up items for SNAP, Medicaid, Medicare Savings Programs, energy assistance and community resources.
Track submission dates, outstanding documentation, case status and next steps.
Support supervisor-directed follow-up involving delays, denials, missing information, resubmissions or referrals.
Identify additional needs and locate appropriate internal or community resources.
Support referrals and closed-loop follow-up to determine whether services were accessed.
Help clients prepare questions and information for interactions with public agencies or community organizations.
Promote client choice, dignity, informed decision-making and access to available supports.
Assist with outreach events, educational activities and distribution of approved program information.
Help prepare benefit-enrollment resources, checklists and referral materials.
Collaborate professionally with internal teams and community partners.
Participate in occasional approved evening or weekend outreach activities when included in the learning plan.
Draft contact records, screening information, follow-up notes and other documentation for supervisor review.
Enter and validate information in approved systems based on assigned access.
Maintain organized records and protect confidential information.
Assist with data tracking, resource-library updates, workflow review, quality assurance and process-improvement projects.
Regular supervision with a designated supervisor, including assignment review, documentation review, ethical consultation and professional development.
Orientation to agency policies, confidentiality, safety, documentation standards, technology and program expectations.
Opportunities for observation, guided practice, case discussion, interdisciplinary learning and progressive responsibility.
Coordination with the educational institution regarding the learning agreement, evaluations, required hours and field education expectations.
Immediate consultation with a supervisor for client safety concerns, suspected abuse or neglect, privacy concerns, urgent needs or ethical issues.