What are the responsibilities and job description for the Public Benefits Assistant position at Elder Care Law of Tennessee?
About the Firm: Elder Care Law of Tennessee is a law firm that specializes in Life Care Planning with a focus on Elder and Special Needs Law.
Position Overview: The Public Benefits Assistant (PBA) is a client contact, information developer, and coordinator for TennCare and VA benefits on the Public Benefits team. The PBA develops TennCare and VA applications and supporting documentation, which require research and follow-up with the client/family/custodians of assets. Following review by the supervising Public Benefits Manager (PBM) and Attorney, the PBA submits benefits applications and monitors them throughout the approval process. The PBA works closely with the supervising Public Benefits Manager, the other Public Benefits Assistant (PBA), the Attorney, the Paralegal, and the Elder Care Coordinator to form a cohesive team that meets a range of legal and financial needs for the client.
This position is full-time, with 34 hours per week on a four-day work week (Monday through Thursday) at our office in Knoxville, TN. Potential for working a hybrid schedule after a 6-month training period.
Salary: Annual starting salary is $40k.
Qualifications:
1. Minimum associate’s degree with 2 years of relevant experience, including previous experience working with clients on sensitive matters. VA, accounting, or financial background helpful.
2. Attention to detail critically important; must have strong analytical skills, a fondness for working with numbers, calculations, and forms, and a commitment to solving problems and working out puzzles.
3. Tenacity in tracking down information, communicating with financial/insurance institutions, and working with clients to assemble documentation, complete forms, and meet tight deadlines is essential.
4. Must work well with others but also be self-motivated. Must be able to work independently and with minimal supervision and direction. Flexibility important.
5. Experience with and/or knowledge of financial investment products (e.g., annuities, life insurance, retirement accounts, stocks, long term care insurance, etc.) preferred.
6. Must be customer service oriented. Must have excellent communication skills both in individual settings with clients and families and in the community.
7. Excellent organizational and time management skills necessary.
8. High level of skill with computer programs required (Microsoft Excel, Outlook, Word).
Position Duties
Client Services:
1. Receive phone calls for general public benefits questions; schedule return calls with the Public Benefits Manager; and gather/relay information as appropriate.
2. Gather information for development of clients’ files.
3. Advise client on how best to gather needed documentation; assist client as needed to meet important deadlines.
4. Answer clients’ questions regarding TennCare or VA processes; refer to other team members where appropriate.
5. Call on clients in their residence or facility and interface directly with custodians of clients’ assets.
6. Draft correspondence to clients.
7. Conduct signings for Qualified Income Trusts, Caregiver Agreements, Lease Agreements, and other documents related to the Public Benefits strategy.
8. Educate clients on how to use QITs, Pooled Trusts, Caregiver Agreements, and Promissory Notes; refer to the PBS as appropriate.
Benefits Applications:
9. Prepare initial Medicaid and VA benefits applications and assemble supporting documentation.
10. Coordinate with team members to get VA application signed by client.
11. Work with PBM to respond to requests from agencies for development.
12. In conjunction with PBM, complete Medicaid and VA applications.
13. Following review by PBM and Attorney, submit application packet to Medicaid agency.
14. Following review by PBM and attorney, submit fully-developed claim to VA.
15. Communicate with nursing home staff as needed;
16. Post-submission, monitors status of Medicaid and VA applications to identify and address any issues that arise.
Financial Documentation and Assessments:
1. Collect and organize relevant financial documents.
2. Communicate with financial institutions to obtain financial information.
3. Draft Financial Assessment Report spreadsheet for estate planning clients to summarize assets.
4. Maintain Financial Assessment Reports as new information comes in.
5. Obtain and fill out financial forms, such as change of beneficiary or ownership forms, as needed.
Other:
1. Organize and maintain clients’ files, including naming and sorting documents according to firm procedures.
2. Work closely with the supervising Attorney and the Public Benefits team to coordinate clients’ work and adhere to application timelines.
3. Complete special projects related to Medicaid and/or VA benefits as needed.
Benefits: Generous benefits package includes: 401(k) with 3% safe harbor contribution, health insurance, long and short-term disability, life insurance, 110.5 hours of paid time off, several firmwide holidays per year, continuing legal education and professional association memberships and dues, notary bond and expenses, and mileage reimbursement.
Salary : $40,000