Eligibility Worker

This position will assess eligibility for families and individuals applying for Financial Assistance by providing information and guidelines for the various Financial Assistance programs, eligibility requirements, and the application process; provide ongoing case maintenance, and provide information and referral services to appropriate community resources.

Examples of Duties / Knowledge & Skills

1.Interpret and follow continually changing income maintenance program policy rules, regulations, benefits, manual materials (such as policy quest, health quest, combined manual, health care manual, MMIS user manual, employment & training manual, and provider manual), and bulletins as they pertain to determining eligibility. This requires cross program knowledge.

2.Ensure accuracy of policy interpretation because it has a fiscal impact on county and state government, while also providing monthly data to supervisor regarding work processing and problem cases.

3.Knowledge of specific computer systems that are required for position (such as MAXIS, MMIS, PRISM, SIR, SAVE, etc.). Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.

4.Explains application procedures, which includes obtaining factual information, such as citizenship, residency, income, assets, and potential program eligibility thru the use of investigative interview techniques. Recognizing crisis situations and use discretion to appropriately prevent and/or resolve emergencies (ie evictions, shut-offs, homelessness, medical, and vulnerable adult) in most appropriate and cost effective manner to prevent loss of a basic need.

5.Demonstrates ability to communicate effectively with staff, clientele, and the public. Maintains good working relationships with clients and public, and is cooperative with staff.

6.Evaluate client needs for other services, which may divert individuals from public assistance by analyzing and assessing their situation and making appropriate referrals to other agencies, including but not limited to, social services, legal services, job service, etc., as well as providing advice and consultation.

7.Consistently meet mandated processing time frames, which are required, or agency will lose revenue funds. Communicate program time limits (in compliance with State and Federal laws for audit purposes), expectations, and other program requirements to client, and serve as central point of communication for social service agency, as well as other resources.

8.Prepare and represent agency re fraud, overpayment, probate, trusts, annuities, cause of action, etc. cases for appeal / court hearings and provide testimony, which includes collaborating with county attorney / law enforcement agencies.

9.Presents cases without legal counsel before an Administrative Law Judge to determine and re-evaluate the agency’s action on granted, modified, or denied eligibility. This requires considerable knowledge of the legal process, including State Appeal process, and of the laws and rules pertaining to data privacy and HIPAA.

10.Establish and maintain an ongoing relationship with clients. These individuals come from increasingly diverse socio-economic backgrounds, which requires working with Limited English Proficiency individuals (i.e. Hispanic, Asian, Somali, Sudanese, and Russian decent) as they arrive in Nicollet County. This exposes workers to increased cultural, behavioral, and special needs issues.

Minimum qualifications & Requirements

In order to be considered for this position, we require a high school degree, or the equivalent. In addition, some combination of related work experience and/or a related degree. Bi-lingual candidates are preferred.