What are the responsibilities and job description for the Elder Benefit Specialist position at Goodwill Greater Milwaukee & Chicago?
The Elder Benefit Specialist is responsible for coordinating outreach and education to individuals 60 years or older in the areas of public benefits, housing and consumer issues. Will provide benefits counseling, act as a client advocate on insurance issues, as well as develop materials for distribution to the media, organizations and the general public.
RESPONSIBILITY LEVEL:
The Elder Benefit Specialist (EBS) provides individuals 60 years of age and older with information, assistance, and advocacy, in the three main priority areas of public benefits, housing and consumer issues. The EBS is also responsible for coordinating outreach and education to older persons, service providers and professionals in the community. The EBS acts as a consultant to other service providers and professionals.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES:
1. Provide health and long-term care insurance benefits counseling. Acts as client advocate on insurance issues, including recommending changes and submitting complaints to the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance.
2. Create factual evidence and briefs for appeal of denied benefits; provide advocacy and representation in matters which require review, waiver, reconsideration, including hearings before an Administrative Law Judge.
3. Assist clients in determining benefit eligibility for all public benefit programs and complete eligibility forms when client is unable to do so and no other assistance is available.
4. Develop and present informational materials for the media, organizations, and the general public. Provide public education and/or training on issues affecting the rights, benefits, or entitlements of elderly persons.
5. Initiate advocacy which has consequences of broad significance in preserving, protecting, and expanding the rights and benefits of older persons.
6. Establish or expand local State Health Insurance Assistance (SHIP) Volunteer program and provide volunteers’ training and supervision.
7. Complete reporting requirement for the EBS program and for the SHIP in a timely manner
8. Coordinate with local Pro-Bono Attorney Program and make appropriate referrals
9. Make referrals to other agencies and services, when appropriate
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REQUIREMENTS:
1. Bachelor’s degree, preferably in a human services related field OR
2. Educational requirement may be waived by the state Legal Services Developer if the individual has a minimum of four-year experience in income maintenance, insurance, or medical billing fields.
3. Valid Wisconsin driver’s license
CORE COMPETENCIES:
1. Ability to communicate detailed/complex information to clients
2. Ability to gather, analyze, and evaluate information for clients
3. Ability to research, analyze and resolve problems
4. Adhere to confidentiality standards
5. Maintain current knowledge of public benefits available to older persons in the areas of health care financing, income maintenance, home and community based services, consumer finance, and other elder law areas.
PHYSICAL/SENSORY DEMANDS:
1. Must speak clearly and hear well in order to facilitate workshops and conduct individual appointments.
2. Must be able to communicate effectively in written form.
3. Ability to lift 10 pounds.
4. Ability to stand, walk, squat, bend, twist, kneel, and reach above shoulders.
5. Ability to manipulate computer, typewriter, and telephone keyboards.
6. Ability to communicate in both written and verbal forms.
7. Vision is required for computer entry.
8. Ability to travel to various Goodwill facilities, as needed.
When determining placement within the salary range for this position Goodwill Greater Milwaukee & Chicago considers education, experience, internal equity, market demands and other qualifying criteria. It is not typical for individuals to be hired at or near the top of the rage for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on facts and circumstances of each case.
Certain roles are eligible to participate in an incentive plan. Participation in this plan does not guarantee an incentive payment and is subject to the terms and conditions of the plan, which are subject to change.
In addition to compensation, we offer a competitive benefit program that may include medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, retirement plan, paid time off (PTO) and more. The specifics of each benefit package will vary depending on factors such as full or part time jobs, contracted, temporary, or other job categories.
Equal Opportunity Employer
(SEW)
