DHS Eligibility Technician

**Bent County Dept. of Human Services****Eligibility Technician**** **SUMMARY OF JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:** This position is responsible for determining initial and ongoing eligibility of multiple federal and state funded programs including: Old Age Pension (OAP), Aid to the Needy Disabled (AND), Aid to the Blind (AB), Home Care Allowance (HCA), and adult medical programs, as well as Food Assistance associated with the household; Medical Assistance associated with this position include, 1634 (SSI) Medicaid, Long Term Care for Nursing Home and Home/community Based Services (NH/HCBS). Medicare Savings Programs Include Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB), Special Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB-Ql1) and Low Income Subsidy (LIS). Provide determination service to the Colorado supplement to SSL.JOB FUNCTIONS**: Make initial contact with people requesting financial, medical, food assistance and Medicare Savings Programs. Receive applications for public assistance in these program areas. Interview the applicants and provide counseling in these areas. Assist in completing forms. Secure verification of eligibility factors such as income, resources, identity, age, citizenship, residence, and social security number, and disability, level of care requirement, expenses and third-party resources. Clarify and interpret appeal rights and procedures to the client. Determine initial and continued eligibility for these programs by interpreting rules, regulations, and policies governing each program area.Assess needs, interpret programs, and make referrals appropriate to the needs to include: Child support, child and adult protection, foster care, group homes, mental health, job services, SSNSSI, veteran's administration, vocational rehabilitation, social services within the department, and counseling/assistance programs throughout the community.Interface, on a daily basis, with a computer system requiring accurate, complete, data entry forms.Assist in training new employees and approving cases. Assist with the eligibility determinations on difficult cases, interpret and explain new rules and regulations.Determine the need to recover funds and for referral for fraud investigations; prepare for and represent the department in evidentiary conferences and state hearings; recognize and record appropriate documents related to recoveries and retroactive payments.Assist in interpretation and preparation of legal forms in order to establish an income trust to become eligible for Nursing Home or Long-Term Care. Provide a resource assessment and assist clients and their spouses in the transfer of assets according to the rules and regulations pertaining to spousal protection. Calculate the minimum monthly maintenance allowance for the spouse. Complete and prepare attorney referral forms for both Utah Gap and HCBS income trust cases. Each case presents unique circumstances and must be looked at for varying eligibility criteria.Complete paperwork related to interim assistance procedures when client receives SSI lump sum payments, breaks down payment requested from SSA, computes monthly amounts due the client and department, changes categories, issues retros, and seeks reimbursement.Work daily aging report for EBT. Access EBT system to respond to client and provider questions as they arise, such as active card status, account balances and payments made through the EBT system.Requirements** A two-year associate's degree in related field is preferred. Three years' experience working in Social Services programs. Valid Colorado Driver's license with clean driving history. Background check -local records. Pre-employment drug test. Work may include overnight trips to training and assisting with cases that may require work on nights, weekends, and holidays. Subject to passing a written exam and/ r oral board.Other Skills/Abilities Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with staff, director, clients and other agencies. Understand and comply with County, State, and Federal rules and regulations. Make appropriate decisions Research and solve problem Possess time management skills Keep accurate records Work independently Perform under stressful situationsWorking ConditionsMost work is conducted in a standard office environmentEmployee may be required to sit for extended periods of time and occasionally required to stand and walk. Occasionally, the employee may be required to lift and/or move heavy files or objects up to 25 pounds. Employee is frequently required to use hands and reach with hands and arms. Specific abilities required for this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus such as that used when using a computer or reading.This position will deal with clients in a state of crisis. The worker must handle clients, and their families and friends who are potentially threatening to themselves and others.