Benefits Entitlement Coordinator

$50,000 - $50,001/Yr

163Rd Street Improvement Council

Full-time - Entry Level

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations

About the position

The Benefits Entitlement Coordinator at the 163rd Street Improvement Council plays a crucial role in advocating for and assisting participants in securing various entitlements and forms of assistance. This position is under the direction of the Director of Social Services and the Program Director, and it is designed to support individuals who are low-income, formerly homeless, veterans, LGBTQ, or those with special physical, cognitive, or developmental needs. The Council's mission is to improve the quality of life for these individuals by providing resources, referrals, and direct services. The Benefits Coordinator will work closely with clients to help them navigate the complexities of public assistance programs, including Public Assistance, Food Stamps, and disability insurance, ensuring they receive the support they need to enhance their lives. In this full-time role, the Benefits Coordinator will assist clients in understanding their eligibility for various benefits and will accompany them to government offices when necessary to advocate for their entitlements. Building and maintaining positive relationships with public and private service providers is essential for promoting collaborative planning to meet client needs. The Coordinator will also facilitate benefits groups, monitor client attendance to appointments, and report feedback to the clinical team. This position requires a proactive approach to developing community linkages and resources, providing participants with opportunities to address their needs effectively. The role also involves maintaining accurate records of interventions and assistance in accordance with program requirements, participating in case management meetings, and assisting Case Managers in keeping records of meetings and actions taken. The ideal candidate will be a self-starter, highly organized, and able to work in a stressful environment while being flexible and adaptive to changing needs.

Responsibilities

• Assist clients with eligibility for benefits including Public Assistance, Food Stamps, disability insurance, and entitlement programs.
• Accompany clients to government offices and advocate for entitlements when necessary.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with public and private service providers and entitlement agencies.
• Facilitate benefits groups and monitor clients' attendance to appointments, reporting feedback to the clinical team.
• Develop community linkages and resources for participants.
• Maintain a directory of information for referral services.
• Enroll and refer clients to outside programs and services, including food, medications, clothing, and legal assistance.
• Participate in case management meetings to monitor client service plans and make recommendations for services.
• Assist Case Managers in keeping records of meetings and actions taken, maintaining physical and electronic files using CARES.
• Refer clients to appropriate programs and services, facilitating their adjustment by assisting with required forms and educating them about procedures.
• Maintain records of interventions and assistance in accordance with program and data collection requirements.

Requirements

• High School diploma required; Bachelor's degree in relevant field preferred.
• Two years of relevant experience with a special needs population facing strong barriers towards benefits.
• Comfortable working closely with others in a stressful environment.
• Bilingual Spanish/English is highly desirable.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite and Google Suite.
• Excellent administrative and communication skills.
• Must be a self-starter who is highly organized, able to prioritize, and highly flexible/adaptive.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience working with low-income or formerly homeless populations.
• Knowledge of local entitlement programs and services available to clients.

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance