Eligibility Worker

Location: Social Services Department, 809 Elm Street, Alexandria, MN 56308

First review of applications: August 14, 2026. First round of interviews: week of August 17, 2026.

About the role

The Eligibility Worker, under general supervision, performs a wide variety of tasks related to determining client eligibility for income maintenance programs and services. Responsibilities include establishing initial and ongoing eligibility, communicating complex program requirements, assisting participants in understanding assistance criteria, adapting to policy updates and legislative changes, and supporting clients in achieving self-sufficiency. The role also involves providing education, enrollment, and assistance to managed health care enrollees, making referrals to community resources, and performing related duties.

Responsibilities

• Interview clients to determine potential eligibility for available programs and expedited services, obtain factual information, and verify details.
• Provide information about programs, services, and resources via telephone, mail, walk-ins, and presentations.
• Guide clients through the application process, assist with completing applications, and utilize interpretive services as needed.
• Screen applications to determine potential eligibility for programs based on client needs and forward cases to other agencies if necessary.
• Explain program rules, eligibility criteria, and community resources to make appropriate referrals.
• Evaluate applications, verify information, and determine eligibility for benefits following state and federal guidelines within program timelines.
• Accurately enter case information into computer programs and re-determine eligibility based on changes in client income or status.
• Evaluate and determine cost-effective health insurance payments and update computer programs accordingly.
• Track cases for household changes, pending applications, retroactive coverage, and other factors affecting eligibility.
• Determine overpayments and report possible fraud cases to the Fraud Prevention Investigator.
• Complete ongoing training and provide training to new Eligibility Worker staff.
• Perform peer case reviews to maintain accuracy and assist in investigations or legal proceedings as needed.
• Prepare cases for appeal hearings and participate in hearings or provide testimony in court.
• Provide input to supervisors for developing procedures and offer training/support to staff for assigned caseloads.
• Provide backup caseload coverage for absent staff.
• Maintain a safe work environment, ensure reliable attendance, and perform other assigned duties.

Access to Not Public Data

This role involves handling private or confidential information about clients, protected by law. Access to this data is limited to job-related needs, and you must ensure its security, proper storage, and disposal in compliance with Minnesota’s Data Practices Act (Chapter 13).

Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• One of the following:
  • Two years of study at an accredited college or university with an emphasis in behavioral sciences, business, or related subjects (minimum 23-quarter credits or 16-semester credits).
  • Successful completion of a technical college Human Services Eligibility Worker certificate program (substitutes for one year of required experience).
  • Three years of clerical experience or experience working with the public, or a combination of both.
  • Two years of clerical experience in a Social Service/Human Services agency.
• Valid Class D Minnesota State Driver’s License or ability to obtain one upon employment.

Skills

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, the public, co-workers, and agency administration.
• Effective written and verbal communication with a culturally diverse clientele.
• Proficiency in data entry and keyboarding.
• Ability to process detailed information accurately and rapidly.
• Strong organizational skills, including managing multiple interruptions and time management of caseloads.
• Ability to troubleshoot system problems and distinguish between system errors and human error.
• Ability to work independently under stress, set priorities, and make decisions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of agency programs, operations, policies, and procedures.
• Familiarity with available community resources.
• Understanding of office procedures, practices, equipment, and software programs.
• Experience with interviewing techniques and conducting client interviews.
• Knowledge of Income Maintenance program rules, regulations, benefits, and eligibility determination methods.
• Awareness of local, state, and federal policies, as well as other financial support sources (e.g., Social Security, unemployment insurance, veteran’s benefits).
• Basic principles of foster care, child and adult protection criteria, and general understanding of mental/physical illness and human behavior.
• Knowledge of community resources such as emergency housing, food, and diversionary assistance programs.
• Understanding of real and personal property, estate and ownership laws, and their relationship to public assistance eligibility.
• Ability to:
  • Explain income maintenance programs and procedures to distressed recipients.
  • Handle frequent procedural changes and client crises.
  • Organize work, set priorities, and work independently under stress.
  • Remain objective and non-judgmental.
  • Interpret legal documents, tax documents, and complex rules as they apply to income maintenance programs.

Work Environment

• Public building, office setting.
• Generally Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (37.5 hours per week).

Physical Demands

• Lifting: Up to 10 lbs. occasionally (49 min to 2 hrs., 39 min per day or 29 to 86 days per year).
• Pushing/Pulling: Up to 10 lbs. occasionally (49 min to 2 hrs., 39 min per day or 29 to 86 days per year).
• Vision:
  • Near Vision: Constant (5 hrs., 18 min to 8 hours per day or 174+ days per year).
  • Far Vision: Occasional (49 min to 2 hrs., 39 min per day or 29 to 86 days per year).
  • Depth Perception: Rare (5 min to 48 min per day or 2.6 to 26 days per year).
  • Field of Vision: Rare (5 min to 48 min per day or 2.6 to 26 days per year).
  • Color Vision: Constant (5 hrs., 18 min to 8 hours per day or 174+ days per year).
• Interaction with Others:
  • Works Alone: Frequent (2 hrs., 40 min to 5 hrs., 17 min per day or 88 to 172 days per year).
  • Works with Others: Frequent (2 hrs., 40 min to 5 hrs., 17 min per day or 88 to 172 days per year).
  • Works around Others: Constant (5 hrs., 18 min to 8 hours per day or 174+ days per year).
  • Customer/Public Contact: Frequent (2 hrs., 40 min to 5 hrs., 17 min per day or 88 to 172 days per year).
  • Clients with Behavior Challenges: Occasional (49 min to 2 hrs., 39 min per day or 29 to 86 days per year).
• Communications:
  • Talking: Constant (5 hrs., 18 min to 8 hours per day or 174+ days per year).
  • Hearing: Constant (5 hrs., 18 min to 8 hours per day or 174+ days per year).
  • Reading: Constant (5 hrs., 18 min to 8 hours per day or 174+ days per year).
• Body Positions:
  • Sitting: Constant (5 hrs., 18 min to 8 hours per day or 174+ days per year).
  • Standing: Rare (5 min to 48 min per day or 2.6 to 26 days per year).
  • Walking/Moving About: Occasional (49 min to 2 hrs., 39 min per day or 29 to 86 days per year).
  • Climbing/Balancing/Crouching/Kneeling/Crawling: Rare (5 min to 48 min per day or 2.6 to 26 days per year).
• Motor Skills:
  • Handling/Grasping/Using Fingers/Reaching/Feeling: Constant (5 hrs., 18 min to 8 hours per day or 174+ days per year).
  • Driving: Rare (5 min to 48 min per day or 2.6 to 26 days per year).
• Exposures:
  • Dirt/Dust: Rare (5 min to 48 min per day or 2.6 to 26 days per year).
  • No exposure to mechanical, electrical, pressurized, burning, explosive, radiant energy, moving equipment, heights, fumes/odors, or gases.

Pay

Starting salary: $54,035 annually ($27.71/hour) based on the current pay grid. Includes anniversary step increases and annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) per the current Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Schedule

Full-time, 37.5 hours per week. Generally Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.