ELIGIBILITY WORKER

Salary Range for this position is $21.76-32.64 depending on experience.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities

The following duties are normal for this classification. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Position Duties

• Conduct effective interview, assess and determine eligibility for emergency, cash, food, child care, health care, and county burial programs.
  • Arrange appropriate interviews and assess individual need for programs, and complete informative face-to-face and/or phone interviews. Evaluate circumstances through information gained in personal interviews and determine appropriate case actions.

  • Respond to public inquiries by phone and in person regarding program regulations, explaining complex eligibility criteria and procedures.

  • Examine applications, answer questions and explain all aspects of applicable programs, insuring clients Data Privacy rights and responsibilities are explained as mandated and understood.

  • Assess circumstances and complete referrals for additional services.

  • Accurately determine eligibility for Public Assistance programs.
• Advise clients of most beneficial program options and choices (Case Management).
  • Review and examine monthly eligibility reports for any changes.

  • Complete redetermination on all cases

  • Monitor cases for periodic changes affecting income and assets and household composition such as Cost of Living Adjustments.

  • Maintain and apply county, state, and federal regulations keeping abreast of all program changes.

  • Respond to inquiries made to the agency by telephone, e-mail or written correspondence.

  • Interview clients in person to assist them with problem areas concerning continued eligibility for assistance.

  • Initiate client referrals to other available community resources as deemed appropriate to meet the needs of the client.

  • Initiate fraud referrals and compile evidence necessary for investigation and possible prosecution. Attend and testify in court as requested. Assess disqualification periods accordingly

  • Establish overpayments for all programs and implement correct repayment procedures.

  • When notified of a client's move to another county, verify information, update case file and transfer completed case to new county of residence so that service to eligible persons is not interrupted.

  • When a case is transferred from another county obtain all necessary verifications, update case file, update MAXIS, MEC-2, METS and MMIS as necessary, and make all necessary referrals regarding the case.

  • Service cases for which other counties are financially responsible so all eligible persons receive assistance without interruption.

  • Identify computer related problems that may require county and state intervention, notify the appropriate county and state staff, and make necessary adjustments to resolve the situation.
• Prepare and File Appeals
  • Complete appeal summary within ten days, providing required documentation and ensuring all appropriate parties receive the information.

  • Request the presence of the County Attorney, if needed.

  • Attend appeal, take oath, and provide county's evidence justifying county actions.

  • Take appropriate actions upon receipt of appeal decision.
• Participate in Income Maintenance Program Education.
  • Participate in training for professional and personal growth.

  • Read and implement policy bulletins, updated manual material, electronic mail, and other relative materials regarding public assistance programs and all computer systems.
• Other duties
  • Confer with other eligibility workers and inform supervisor concerning specific cases as needed.

  • Represent the agency in a professional manner when dealing with clients and other agencies.

  • Accept applications and determine eligibility for county burials within county policy.

  • Public speaking for community education programs.

  • Review peer work within sub-unit to assure clients are receiving the benefits they are entitled to, reduce errors, and assure high quality work within the county.

Non-Essential Functions

• Complete other duties as assigned.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)