Full Time Eligibility Worker

About the role

The Eligibility Worker is responsible for performing a variety of tasks related to the determination of eligibility for income maintenance programs. This position must determine the eligibility of clients for Federal and State public assistance, while providing high-quality customer service.

Responsibilities

• Provides information regarding programs and community resources.
• Determines and explains eligibility for all income maintenance programs.
• Interviews applicants to determine eligibility for food support, cash, health care, childcare assistance and emergency programs while meeting program processing deadlines.
• Remains objective, protects client confidentiality, and complies with data privacy rules.
• Diffuses consumers who may be angry, hostile, verbally or physically aggressive.
• Educates consumers regarding program requirements, expectations and benefits. Explains rights and responsibilities and serves as central point of communication.
• Refers individuals to available resources within and outside the County agency as appropriate.
• Approves ongoing eligibility through monthly household report forms, six-month and annual reviews, recipient reports, and collateral contact to ensure continuation of accurate benefits.
• Maintains multiple County and State computer systems for this process.
• Calculates asset evaluations for couples when one spouse enters a Long-Term Care Facility or requests Elderly Waiver Services.
• Calculates Reimbursement amounts for cost effective reimbursements and Medicare premiums.
• Travels to Sleepy Eye and Springfield satellite outreach offices monthly on a rotating worker basis.
• Participates in continuing education and training offered by the Department of Human Services and collaborative agencies or groups.
• Stays up-to-date and adheres to procedural changes regarding program determination.
• Exhibits strong communication and analytical skills to understand and explain complex program rules.
• Analyzes case information for discrepancies and establish overpayments, impose disqualifications, close cases, or refer cases to the Fraud Investigator, as necessary.
• Successfully cooperates with multiple internal and external providers to assist consumers with initial and ongoing program eligibility.
• Responds to consumer complaints and informs consumers of their appeal and other legal rights.
• Attends and testifies at appeal hearings.
• Regular attendance is required.
• Attends meetings and training, as needed.
• Other duties as assigned or apparent.

Requirements

• Must possess a valid driver’s license and be able to drive in the State of Minnesota.
• Must successfully complete a background check.
• Must complete and pass pre-employment testing.
• Knowledge and skill in Microsoft Office Suite, and computer database operations.
• Ability to provide optimal customer service skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, and have strong positive public relations skills.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local rules and policies governing income maintenance programs.
• Knowledge of interviewing techniques and skill in conducting interviews.
• Knowledge of other sources of financial support, including Social Security, Unemployment Insurance, Veterans’ benefits, Worker’s Compensation, and Disability Insurance/Pension programs.
• Basic computation and mathematical skills.
• Ability to explain and interpret complex laws, rules, policies, and regulations in written or verbal form.
• Ability to maintain professionalism with the public, including with hostile or uncooperative individuals.
• Protects client confidentiality and complies with data privacy laws and rules.
• Ability to work under limited supervision with general autonomy in determining how objectives are achieved.

Qualifications

• Education: Two years college or vocational coursework OR One year post-secondary education plus two years’ related experience OR High School graduate or equivalent and five years related experience.

Skills

• Knowledge and skill in Microsoft Office Suite, and computer database operations.
• Ability to provide optimal customer service skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, and have strong positive public relations skills.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local rules and policies governing income maintenance programs.
• Knowledge of interviewing techniques and skill in conducting interviews.
• Knowledge of other sources of financial support, including Social Security, Unemployment Insurance, Veterans’ benefits, Worker’s Compensation, and Disability Insurance/Pension programs.
• Basic computation and mathematical skills.
• Ability to explain and interpret complex laws, rules, policies, and regulations in written or verbal form.
• Ability to maintain professionalism with the public, including with hostile or uncooperative individuals.
• Protects client confidentiality and complies with data privacy laws and rules.
• Ability to work under limited supervision with general autonomy in determining how objectives are achieved.

Benefits

Brown County provides a comprehensive, balanced, and competitive benefits package as part of your total compensation. The following outline of County-offered benefits serves as an overview and does not provide all provisions, limitations, and exclusions. If there is a contradiction between this and the official plan documents, the plan documents will prevail.

Pay

Grade 6. Entry hourly wage range: $27.08 to $30.36, DOQ

Schedule

Full Time