Income & Benfits Specialist
Income & Benefits Specialist
This position reports directly to the Program Coordinator or Clinical Director. The Income & Benefits Specialist will support clients throughout their benefits enrollment process and/or managing income secured through employment. Support includes listening, encouraging, coaching, empowering, and connecting clients to income and benefit resources that meet their individual needs and eligibility requirements.
FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt
Responsibilities:
- Responsible for income and benefits services provided to clients, linkage to benefits and other community resources, follow-up of services, and monitoring progress
- Conducts initial screenings to determine eligibility, schedules appointments, and provides assistance to clients to complete benefits enrollment
- Prepares an initial financial budget and income sustainability plan on each client enrolled and updates budget every 30 days or as needed until client discharges from program
- Determines appropriateness of referral and client eligibility to benefit from community/mainstream resources
- Coaches clients about benefits and income options
- Identifies and utilizes community resources to meet client needs
- Coordinates, advocates on clients’ behalf, and follows up with the Social Security Administration, Veterans Administration, State Welfare programs, etc. to assist with securing mainstream benefits
- Coordinates with case management to document services and establish organized program file structure, client database, and assessment process for income and benefits services
- Provides monthly service reports of statistics and outcomes
- Maintains cooperative and collaborative working relationships with staff of community agencies to obtain resources for clients
- Facilitates classes/groups on budgeting, benefits resources, etc.
- Participates and attends on/off site staff and community meetings
- Relies on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals
- Works under general supervision or independently
- Other duties as assigned
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or other related social service field preferred. Two years of experience in related work may substitute for degree.
- Minimum one year of experience in social services or related field required.
- Knowledge and familiarity of benefit enrollment process (both VA and civilian benefits)
- Trained in SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) preferred or must be able to complete training within 30 days of hire
- Strong communication skills, listening, and positive interpersonal skills
- Ability to work collaboratively with others in a teamwork environment
- Effective time management and organizational skills
- Proven experience and ability to work in a team based environment
- Ability to maintain a professional partnership with other community organizations
- Valid driver’s license required. Must meet company insurance requirements and complete a provided driver training course.
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY
U.S.VETS subscribes to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity. It is our policy to provide employment, compensation, and other benefits related to employment based on qualifications, without regard to ancestry, age, color, disability, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, U.S.VETS intends to comply fully with applicable federal, state, and local employment laws and the information requested on this application will be used only for purposes consistent with those laws.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT - REQUEST FOR REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
In accordance with requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is U.S.VETS’ policy to provide reasonable accommodation to applicants who request accommodation during the application process in order that the applicant may be given a full and fair opportunity to be considered for employment. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, you or someone else may submit your request to U.S.VETS in any of the following ways: by telephone 213-542-2600 and ask for the HR Assistant]; or by U.S. Mail or hand delivery: U.S.VETS, 800 West 6th Street, Suite 1505, Los Angeles, CA 90017, Attention: Human Resources – Job Applicant Request