Benefits Coordinator

$37,440 - $41,600/Yr

Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry - Cleveland, OH

Full-time

Cleveland, OH

Social Assistance

About the position

The Benefits Specialist at Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry (LMM) plays a crucial role in supporting clients on their journey to self-sufficiency. This position is dedicated to assisting individuals in accessing essential resources that promote housing stability, with a particular focus on facilitating SSI/SSDI benefit applications through the SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) model. The Benefits Specialist is integral to the mission of LMM, which aims to empower people to overcome barriers and achieve their goals through comprehensive support and advocacy. In this role, the Benefits Specialist will assist shelter clients in enhancing their income prospects by guiding them through the SSI/SSDI application process. This includes utilizing both the SOAR model and traditional application methods to ensure clients receive the benefits they need. The Specialist will also be responsible for improving client access to community providers and resources, aligning their trajectories with their Exit Plans, and ensuring their integration into Cuyahoga County's Coordinated Entry system. The position requires adaptability, as the Specialist may need to float between program communities to meet fluctuating client needs. Maintaining participant data and statistical information in the client database system is essential, as is fostering consistent communication with partner agency staff for collaborative decision-making. The Benefits Specialist will also collaborate with the Clinical team to address any mental health and substance use concerns effectively, engage in regular caseload reviews with supervisors, and apply best practices in case management and shelter operations.

Responsibilities

• Assist shelter clients in enhancing their income prospects by facilitating SSI/SSDI applications using the SSI/SSDI SOAR model and other traditional methods of application.
• Responsible for improving client access and engagement to community providers and resources for benefits.
• Align clients' trajectories with their Exit Plans by coordinating their engagement with other Communities within the Shelter.
• Ensure clients' integration into Cuyahoga County's Coordinated Entry system, if not assessed prior to shelter entry.
• Arrange transportation to critical destinations (e.g. housing, medical, employment, etc.).
• Adapt to fluctuating needs by floating between program Communities, as needed.
• Maintain participant data and statistical information in the client database system.
• Foster consistent communication with partner agency staff for individual client updates and collaborative decision-making.
• Collaborate with the Clinical team to address mental health and substance use concerns effectively.
• Engage in regular caseload reviews with supervisor(s).
• Maintain regular contact with appropriate partner agency staff for individual client/staffing updates.
• Apply best practices in case management (e.g., Motivational Interviewing, Critical Time Intervention) and shelter operations (e.g., Housing First, Low Demand, Harm Reduction).

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED; Bachelor's Degree preferred.
• Experience working with vulnerable populations and people with lived experience.
• Ability to uphold and support the Housing First model.

Benefits

• 403(b) retirement savings plan
• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance