What are the responsibilities and job description for the Veterans Assistant Specialist position at Lutheran Senior Services?
Summary:
Responsible for assisting customers/residents/patients of Lutheran Senior Services (LSS), or contractual partners, to apply for and receive all appropriate and legitimate benefits and services available for veterans and/or veterans’ widow(er).
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Assists residents of LSS or contractual partners, to apply for and receive all appropriate and legitimate benefits and services available for veterans and/or veterans’ widow(er) as illustrated by the following:
Develops process to identify current customers for veterans’ benefits assessment.
Works with appropriate program/community admissions staff to create and implement a process to gather necessary veteran data upon admission/contact.
Meets with identified potential beneficiaries to assess financial eligibility for veterans’ benefits (applies relevant VA regulations).
Assesses veteran’s eligibility for all VA benefits, including pension and disability.
Assesses and evaluates potential for increase in current VA benefits received.
Reviews possibility for military retiree benefits.
Assists Veterans/widow(er) in completing veteran’s benefit application or appeals forms.
Assists and/or coordinates with applicants to navigate the application, appeal and annual re-certification paper process within the Veterans Administration.
Follows up with VA personnel on all outstanding applications to facilitate resolution of any delays in the administrative process.
Remains knowledgeable about related current process within Veteran Administration.
Maintains a network of contacts within the VA system including local County VA units.
Functions as non-supervisory backup to the Senior Veterans Assistance Specialist.
Responsible for ensuring that residents applying for subsidy have been screened for possible VA benefits and maintains contact with program administration.
2. Coordinates specific work tasks with other personnel within the department as well as with other units and departments in order to ensure the smooth and efficient flow of information.
3. Reports pertinent information to the immediate supervisor as requested, or according to an established schedule; compiles information as necessary or as directed and provides data to appropriate personnel.
4. Provides excellent customer service by interacting and responding to needs/requests/issues of employees, families, contractors, colleague agencies, volunteers, visitors and/or the general public
5. Maintains awareness of all services offered by LSS; takes appropriate action to actively promote, support and communicate them to prospective clients, residents and families.
6. Participates in meetings and on task forces, committees, etc., as assigned.
Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
B.A. degree in accounting, finance or related field of study preferred
Minimum of five (5) years of related experience dealing with Veterans and/or Veterans’ benefits. Higher number of years with the Veterans Administration can compensate for a lack of a Bachelor’s Degree
Physical Requirements and Working Conditions
The physical activities, demands and work environment described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job duties and responsibilities.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be required to sit for extended periods of time and will have extended periods of computer use.
A well-lighted and ventilated working area that has its own temperature controls system (air conditioning and heat). The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Willingness to work extra hours when required. Is subject to frequent interruptions. Will be required to travel to LSS communities and may require moderate overnight stays.
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees may be required to follow other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties as requested, subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws and standards.
Additional Information:
N/A
Responsible for assisting customers/residents/patients of Lutheran Senior Services (LSS), or contractual partners, to apply for and receive all appropriate and legitimate benefits and services available for veterans and/or veterans’ widow(er).
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Assists residents of LSS or contractual partners, to apply for and receive all appropriate and legitimate benefits and services available for veterans and/or veterans’ widow(er) as illustrated by the following:
Develops process to identify current customers for veterans’ benefits assessment.
Works with appropriate program/community admissions staff to create and implement a process to gather necessary veteran data upon admission/contact.
Meets with identified potential beneficiaries to assess financial eligibility for veterans’ benefits (applies relevant VA regulations).
Assesses veteran’s eligibility for all VA benefits, including pension and disability.
Assesses and evaluates potential for increase in current VA benefits received.
Reviews possibility for military retiree benefits.
Assists Veterans/widow(er) in completing veteran’s benefit application or appeals forms.
Assists and/or coordinates with applicants to navigate the application, appeal and annual re-certification paper process within the Veterans Administration.
Follows up with VA personnel on all outstanding applications to facilitate resolution of any delays in the administrative process.
Remains knowledgeable about related current process within Veteran Administration.
Maintains a network of contacts within the VA system including local County VA units.
Functions as non-supervisory backup to the Senior Veterans Assistance Specialist.
Responsible for ensuring that residents applying for subsidy have been screened for possible VA benefits and maintains contact with program administration.
2. Coordinates specific work tasks with other personnel within the department as well as with other units and departments in order to ensure the smooth and efficient flow of information.
3. Reports pertinent information to the immediate supervisor as requested, or according to an established schedule; compiles information as necessary or as directed and provides data to appropriate personnel.
4. Provides excellent customer service by interacting and responding to needs/requests/issues of employees, families, contractors, colleague agencies, volunteers, visitors and/or the general public
5. Maintains awareness of all services offered by LSS; takes appropriate action to actively promote, support and communicate them to prospective clients, residents and families.
6. Participates in meetings and on task forces, committees, etc., as assigned.
Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
B.A. degree in accounting, finance or related field of study preferred
Minimum of five (5) years of related experience dealing with Veterans and/or Veterans’ benefits. Higher number of years with the Veterans Administration can compensate for a lack of a Bachelor’s Degree
Physical Requirements and Working Conditions
The physical activities, demands and work environment described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job duties and responsibilities.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be required to sit for extended periods of time and will have extended periods of computer use.
A well-lighted and ventilated working area that has its own temperature controls system (air conditioning and heat). The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Willingness to work extra hours when required. Is subject to frequent interruptions. Will be required to travel to LSS communities and may require moderate overnight stays.
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees may be required to follow other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties as requested, subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws and standards.
Additional Information:
N/A
