Caseload Benefits Specialist

The Arc Erie County New York has been supporting children and adults with disabilities, and their families in achieving their desired quality of life by creating opportunities through comprehensive services for over 65 years.

Join The Arc Erie County NY as our Caseload Benefits Specialist!
Location: Williamsville, NY
Position Type: Full Time- 40 hrs weekly (Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm)

This rewarding career path is the perfect opportunity for anyone looking to gain experience in both the Financial and Residential (Human Services) fields. If you are eager to learn and grow and are a self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced environment, The Arc Erie County NY is the place for you!

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Helping people with disabilities get benefits and entitlements such as Medicaid, food stamps and health insurance.
• Helping people with eligibility for programs and ensuring that benefits are maintained.
• Help resolve eligibility conflicts, payments and other entitlement-related issues.
• Conducting Follow-up review on all billing results/entitlement outcomes with appropriate action taken if either billings or payments are not wholly accurate.

Why The Arc Erie County NY?

• Excellent work-life balance
• $20-$24 per hour (based on experience)
• Affordable health, dental, vision & life insurance plans
• 403b Retirement plan w/ employer contribution
• 10 paid holidays off
• Automatic paid time off (PTO)
• Employee discounts and perks
• On-the-job, paid training with experienced staff
• On demand pay
• Supportive culture with a collaborative team that values diverse perspectives

What We’re Looking For:Education:

• Associate’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration or similar w/ 3 yrs experience in benefit determination
• High school or equivalent diploma with 5 yrs experience in benefit determination

Positive Attitudes: Ready to handle any situation with enthusiasm
Problem Solvers: Handling challenges effectively and thinks creatively
Strong Organizers: Effective time management skills and prioritizes tasks

See our full Job Description listed below:
Job Description

Job Title: Benefits and Entitlement Specialist
Department: Finance
Job Grade: 3
Job Code: 290

Position Summary:
Position serves as centralized resource within the Residential, Community and Financial Services for matters related to individual benefits including, but not limited to, SSI, Social Security Assistance, Medicare, food stamps, and health insurance. This position is also the liaison for HUD benefits and requirements. Position is multi-faceted with focus on individual eligibility conflicts, payments to individual and the agency, problem solving and specific benefit research.
Reporting Relationship: Works under direct supervision of the Accounting Manager in the Finance Department

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Protects and preserves individual benefit eligibility.
• Establish and maintain contacts with key external agencies (local Social Security office, HUD, WNYDDSO, DOH, local Medicaid Recertification office, HMO’s, trusts, etc.) to facilitate problem solving and regulatory guidance. Includes regular proactive communication to applicable entities.
• Maintain current knowledge with updates from SSA/SSI, Medicaid, HMO’s, HUD, and Rep Payee regulations. Familiarity with appropriate OPWDD finance/program regulations.
• Ensures all appropriate charges (room & board, etc.) are established and communicated promptly and accurately in accordance with agency standards and regulation standards with SSI, SSD, Medicaid, Food Stamps, Trusts and the Bank.
• Track, reconcile, and analyze all SSA/SSI, Medicaid, and Medicare related payments on a daily basis.
• Facilitates notice of income (wages) to SSA/SSI and Finance staff that impacts room/board (rental subsidiaries, etc.)
• Submits re-certifications to ensure individuals remain eligible for SSA/SSI, as well as Medicaid, and other insurances as necessary.
• Problem solve/research billing denials due to benefit eligibility questions including Medicaid, SSI, SSA, and Food Stamps.
• Follow-up review is conducted on all billing results/entitlement outcomes with appropriate action taken if either billings or payments are not wholly accurate.
• Establish/coordinate with Residential Management the rate for personal allowance.
• Prepare and maintain necessary external audit tools as per social security regulations. Conduct monthly audits and reconciliation of bank accounts and ledgers. Work amicably with Residential Managers ensuring correct management of funds according to regulations. Prepare monthly monitoring reports, open issues list, etc. Meets with supervisor to review on a monthly basis.
• Assist with Residential Services admission, discharge and transfer process.
• Monitor the LCED for HUD documentation
• Liaison between HUD, Financial staff and Residential to ensure all paperwork is completed per HUD regulations.
• Monitor and reconcile EIV reports (four reports per HUD house monthly) to ensure accuracy.
• Work with Residential Management and Finance Staff to update policies and procedures as needed.
• Assist in peer reviews, audit assessments, PEP’s, admissions, Medicaid liability. Make sure resources are within the SS limits.
• Work closely with pharmacies/doctor offices to make sure prescriptions are covered under Medicare Part D. If not covered, assist with searches for comparable prescription that is covered.
• Ensure monthly food stamp benefits accurate and collected monthly.
• Set- up annual electronic IRA ledgers.
• Works with the Clinical Department to determine the durable medical equipment needs, ensures insurance payment (when possible), and catalogs person-owned equipment.
• Catalogs agency-owned durable medical equipment by IRA.
• Acts as liaison between various other departments, including but not limited to CSS, Intake/Admissions, Vocational, and Clinical.
• Adheres to Agency policies and procedures.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Education Requirements:
Associates Degree in accounting, business or related field and 3 years’ experience in benefit determination, rep payee, (Medicaid, SSI) or related experience.
OR
HS plus 5 years in benefit determination, rep payee, (Medicaid, SSI) or related experience with a minimum of 2 years OPWDD regulatory experience.

Agency Principles:

• All staff members will assure and demonstrate the promotion of fundamental rights and protections for the people that we support. These include practices that treat people with dignity and respect at all times, ensure safety, best possible health/well-being and provide the person with continuity and personal security through the use of natural supports, positive relationships and opportunities for integration in the community. Staff members should also advocate and work toward assisting the people we support through person-centered planning to achieve the personal outcome goals that they have chosen by facilitating the plans and positive supports necessary to assist the person in progressing toward each outcome.
• Demonstrates the agency values of integrity, respect, responsibility, trust, teamwork, positive attitude, learning and honesty in working with students (persons), families, colleagues and members of our community.
• Good attendance is vital for the efficient and effective operation of quality programming and is an essential job function of this position.

Essential Job Functions:

• Physical demands and Exposure Risk outlined on attached form (A): The ability to bend, stoop, squat, kneel, sit, reach, stand, walk, push, pull, climb flights of stairs, lift/transfer a minimum 15lbs. See, hear, listen, speak clear, have motor coordination; grip strength, eye-hand coordination and must be able to handle repetitive motion.
• Mental Requirements: The ability to read, write, analyze, be perceptive/comprehensive, show good judgment, have good math &, decision making skills, independent action, planning & prioritizing and follow directions. Ability to work under pressure and meet job-related deadlines accordingly and adhere to and administer Agency’s policies, procedures, rules and regulations.
• Human Relations Skills: The ability to communicate with individuals in a positive manner, work independently as well as cooperatively with others, be approachable, enthusiastic, demonstrate the ability to be a leader and serve as an appropriate role model to staff members. Receive supervision instruction in a positive manner. Maintain a professional behavior and appearance at all times.
• Equipment Operation: The ability to operate business equipment; telephones, fax machines, computer hardware and software, including applications and programming, copiers, calculators, etc

This position is NON-EXEMPT from the overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standard Act.

The Arc Erie County New York retains the right to change this job description at any time.

“The Arc Erie County New York is an Equal Opportunity Employer”

The Arc Erie County New York is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and strong advocate of workforce diversity. Minority/Female/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/Disability/Veteran.

Salary : $20 - $24