Benefits Enrollment Specialist

Job Details
Job Location
Greater Chicago Food Depository - Chicago, IL
Position Type
Full Time
Education Level
Not Specified
Salary Range
$45,884.00 - $56,080.00 Hourly
Job Shift
Day
Description
The Food Depository's Benefits Enrollment Specialist is responsible for connecting neighbors with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and medical benefits (Medicaid) and supporting the enrollment process. This includes pre-screening for eligibility, application assistance, information dissemination to neighbors, including following up with neighbors and data tracking. This position will educate neighbors on public benefits eligibility, policy and application process over the phone and in-person.
This position will involve spending a significant amount of time assisting clients with applications over the phone and in person. This position will cross collaborate with the Benefits Enrollment Manager and other departments to access SNAP enrollment gaps and recommend community areas to promote our services.
Key Responsibilities and Essential Functions:

• Assist neighbors over the phone and at member and community agencies with completing SNAP and Medicaid applications and educate clients about the programs and the follow-up needed to successfully enroll.
• Provide administrative support for the submission of benefits applications and supporting documentation.
• Track the number of applications, case management requests, events, and partner interactions.
• Share neighbor's trends such as enrollment barriers, stories, case management needs so other departments can identify potential policy solutions and raise their voices in advocacy.
• Provide referrals to other social service programs or public benefits and case application support for clients upon request.
• Inquire with Illinois Department of Human services (IDHS) about client's applications.
• Develop and maintain relationships with IDHS offices.
• Develop in-depth knowledge of SNAP and Medicaid programs and other programs as assigned and stay informed about policy and procedure changes.
• Participate in internal meetings at the Food Depository, as well as meetings at IDHS offices related to local SNAP and Medicaid program developments and issues.
• Ensure that outreach activities are tracked and recorded as needed for program evaluation and reporting to funding agencies.
• Provide training and technical assistance to partner sites - may include training on SNAP/Medicaid and case management.
• Schedule in-person enrollment opportunities as assigned and in alignment with other departments
• Collaborate with other departments to stay up to date on public benefit policy changes, identify potential events and partners.
• Demonstrate willingness and ability to work with challenging callers
• Respect and maintain client confidentiality

Qualifications

• 2+ years of professional experience providing direct service to individuals and families.
• Experience with public benefit programs and their respective application processes is preferred.
• Competitive candidates will have strong interpersonal skills, excellent project management, and good organizational abilities.
• Fluency in Spanish highly valued.
• Proficient in MS Office applications.

Exposure:

• Interacts with Food Depository staff, donors, vendors, member agencies, general public.
• Hybrid work environment, with minimum two days per week on-site
• Typical office environment, as well as out of office events.
• Some exposure to warehouse environment.
• Travel within the city of Chicago and suburbs required.