Benefits Specialist

Description

The Benefits Specialist is responsible for providing information, and assistance to people with disabilities seeking benefits support, to both educate consumers and reduce the time to acquire state and federal disability benefits. This position will meet one-on-one with consumers to identify individual needs and provide appropriate guidance and referrals. Provide in-depth counseling about benefits and how employment and other income affect those benefits. Develop and present benefits education workshops and help increase access to state and federal disability programs for people with disabilities.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Maintain a psychologically safe and inclusive work environment that embraces diversity and cross-disability perspectives, ensuring all coworkers and service users feel known, valued, and included.
• Meet one-on-one with consumers either in person or virtually to pre-screen for any benefit related issues that can be handled in house or would need to be referred to an outside organization. 
• Provide information and assistance to people with disabilities who need benefits support including application assistance, appeal support, and general questions answered.
• Provide benefits counseling for people with disabilities who are interested in entering the workforce and are concerned with how employment will affect their benefits.
• Stay up to date on changes to SSI, SSDI, and other benefit programs through self-research, online webinars, and trainings offered by federal and local agencies related to benefits planning.
• Complete all paperwork and documentation to remain in compliance with regulations, both federally and locally
• Participate and engage in any required program, committee or IC meetings with or in place of leadership.
• Provide backup support to the front desk by answering incoming calls, offering resources, and assisting consumers with inquiries and service needs.
• Punctuality and consistent attendance are essential for maintaining operations efficiency, contributing to your team, and fostering a positive work environment.
• This position may also require the performance of other duties as assigned. 

Requirements

Required Skills/Abilities:

· Demonstrates The IC’s core values of Adaptability, Collaboration, Inclusion, Integrity and Person First.

· Commitment to co-creating a culture that fosters diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion.

· Extraordinary customer service skills.

· Effective communication skills.

· Self-motivated, persistent, and flexible.

· Strong organizational skills and detail oriented.

· Ability to handle multiple priorities as well as deadlines.

· Takes responsibility for high-quality work.

· Capacity to work individually and as a member of a team in a team-oriented, inclusive environment.

· Possess decision-making and problem-solving skills.

· The capacity to empower individuals to advocate for themselves to maximize independence.

· Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality and work within the confines of HIPAA regulations.

Education and Experience:

· Certified Work Incentives Practitioner (WIP-C) certification or capacity to obtain within one year of hire.

· Knowledge of state and federal disability programs.

· Experience working with people with disabilities preferred.

· Lived experience with a disability preferred.

Travel:

· Local travel to partners, collaborators, and vendors for official IC related business and events may be required.

· Must have reliable transportation

Working Conditions:

· Office environment requiring ongoing computer use and extended amount of time sitting or standing.

· Frequently lift, push, pull, up to 10 lbs. 

· Internet access to work remotely if protocols are issued for remote work.

Reasonable accommodations may be provided to empower the qualified individual with a disability to perform the essential functions of this position.