Benefit Programs Specialist I

This job announcement is a courtesy job post for the Chesapeake County local Social Services agency. It is not a position of the Virginia Department of Social Services or any other Commonwealth of Virginia agency. Local employment opportunities may also be available through the local agency’s city or county website/job board(s). APPLY HERE TO BE CONSIDERED https://jobs.cityofchesapeake.net/postings/16489

• Schedules appointments and interviews applicants/clients; explains client rights and responsibilities according to local, state, and federal regulations and laws governing programs.
• Assists applicants/clients in securing verification of financial, medical, and social information; notifies supervisor of possible fraud cases.
• Determines employability of clients; establishes client needs, and makes referrals to other departments within and outside the agency as needed; explores other possibilities for income for clients. Collects, organizes, analyzes, and documents data in the determination of the most beneficial assistance plan for the client; checks data calculations for accuracy; determines or re-determines program(s) for which eligible.
• Grants or denies benefits and notifies the recipient of determination.
• Screens telephone calls relating to public assistance and service programs; provides information.
• Plans, manages, and implements case actions. Enters or updates information/data in a computer database; runs VEC and DMV checks on applicants/clients.
• Performs routine office tasks such as typing correspondence, data entry, preparing periodic reports for supervisor, filing, faxing, telephoning, and photocopying.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

VOCATIONAL/EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENT:
Requires high school diploma or GED/HSE supplemented with any additional benefit program related training.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT:
In addition to satisfying the vocational/education standards, this class requires a minimum of two years of related experience in a paraprofessional, clerical, or similar capacity including public contact, interviewing, information gathering and the analysis of data.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:
Employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies. Emergency operations support work and work locations may be outside of normal job duties.

Preferred Qualifications    
A minimum of two years of related experience in eligibility determination for government assistance programs administered by the Virginia Department of Social Services.
Policy and procedures are important factors in determining eligibility; therefore, familiarization with SNAP and Medicaid policy is recommended.
Completion with Phase Policy Training for TANF, Medicaid, and SNAP benefits