Benefits Counselor

Our Mission:

Since 1967, Odyssey House has been providing innovative services and programs to a broad population of individuals and families struggling with substance use and mental health disorders. Odyssey House helps New Yorkers of all ages—and across all five boroughs—beat drugs and alcohol with highly individualized treatment programs. Odyssey House provides high quality, holistic treatment impacting all major life spheres, including: psychological, physical, social, family, educational and spiritual in order to support personal rehabilitation, renewal and family restoration.

If that sounds different than other treatment programs, you’re right. Because Odyssey is where recovery gets real.

In addition to competitive salaries, Odyssey House offers:

• A 35-hour work week (as opposed to a 40-hour work week)
• Vacation Plan and Holiday Schedule
• Life Insurance
• Medical Insurance (Two Plans)
• Dental and Vision Insurance
• Additional Insurance Coverages (hospitalization, accidental, critical illness coverage)
• Long-Term & Short-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Account/Health Reimbursement Account
• 403(b) Plan
• Corporate Counseling Associates (CCA) EAP benefit
• Ability Assist Counseling Services (through The Hartford)
• Commuter Benefits
• Educational Assistance Programs
• Special shopping discounts through ADP Marketplace and PlumBenefits
• RUFit?! Fitness Program
• Pet Insurance
• Legal Assistance
• Optum Financial Service through ConnectYourCare
• Benefit Advocacy Center through Gallagher

Salary Range: $37,856.00-48,000.00

MAJOR FUNCTIONS:

The Benefits Counselor maintains a working relationship with the Human Resources Administration (HRA), Social Security Administration (SSA), NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, and Department of Social Service (DSS) to obtain appropriate funding. The Benefits Counselorensures that all funding guidelines, policies and procedures are followed.

SPECIFIC DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist consumers with calculating and developing working client agreements.
• Assist consumers with the replacement of social security cards and birth certificates.
• Assist consumers with the completion of telephonic HRA certification, recertification, Fraud Investigations, SSI/SSD Redeterminations, SNAP recertification, Medicaid renewal and SSDI continuing disability reviews.
• Assist client in gathering and submitting necessary documentation needed (birth certificate, social security card, bank statements, employment letters, etc.) to activate public assistance and various other benefits during first thirty days of treatment.
• Educate client in the process of changing/enrolling in Medicaid Managed Care plan.
• Assist client in the process of changing/enrolling in Medicaid Managed Care plan.
• Respond to client requests for information related to personal needs accounts.
• Ensure all applicable SSI award letters/HRA budget letters are uploaded into the AWARDS electronic medical record.
• Educate consumers regarding benefits prior to program completion.
• Work closely with clinical and vocational department to facilitate program completions.
• In collaboration with clinical team, complete and submit monthly Residential Treatment
• Monitoring reports and Unified Progress reports associated with benefits.
• Assist clients in completion of SSI/SSD documentation to change benefit payee from Odyssey House at point of discharge.
• Document all services in the AWARDS electronic medical record.
• Maintain a filing system in place for Entitlement active and inactive charts for 10 years.

REQUIREMENTS: EDUCATION/TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

1. High School Diploma or Equivalency required. Bachelor's Degree in Human Services or related field highly preferred.
2. Knowledgeable in the areas of the following benefits: HRA, SSA, DSS, Self-Pay scale payments.
3. Proficiency with computer operation (Microsoft Word, Excel, Electronic Health Record and Outlook Programs).
4. Some local travel may be required.

Odyssey House is an equal opportunity employer maintaining a non-discriminatory policy on hiring of its personnel. Odyssey House, and its operational divisions, will not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or citizen status in all employment decisions including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, training, rate of pay or other forms of compensation, layoff, termination and all other terms and conditions of employment.