WAUSHARA COUNTY POSITION DESCRIPTION

TITLE: Elder Benefit Specialist

DEPARTMENT: Department of Aging & Disability Services DATE: 2024

FUNCTION

The Elder Benefit Specialist (EBS) provides individuals 60 years of age and older with information, assistance, education, and advocacy regarding public benefits, health care options and coverage, and other consumer concerns.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Fulfills a customer service role, ensuring that each client experiences a welcoming atmosphere with prompt, accurate, informative, and friendly assistance.

2. Uses communication skills, interviewing techniques, and active listening to provide information and build rapport with clients, treating all with dignity and respect.

3. Maintain current knowledge of public benefits available to older persons in the areas of health care financing, income maintenance, home and community based services, consumer finance, and other elder law areas.

4. Assist clients in determining eligibility for public benefit programs, and completing forms or applications when clients are unable to do so without assistance. Provide follow up to determine outcomes and additional assistance needed.

5. Provide health and long-term care insurance benefits counseling. Acts as a client advocate on insurance issues, including providing options for change and submitting complaints to the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance.

6. Under the direction and support of a supervising attorney, prepares factual evidence and briefs for appeal of denied benefits; provides advocacy and representation in matters which require review, waiver, reconsideration, and hearings.

7. Perform home visits as needed primarily within standard business hours and at a time and place that best meets the consumer’s schedule.

8. Work collaboratively with ADRC team members to assist clientele with public benefit options and enrollment, completing applications, and outreach activities. Provides backup Information & Assistance support as assigned.

9. Develop and present informational materials for the media, organizations, service providers, and the general public; perform various outreach activities and training on benefits and entitlements.

10. Perform Homestead Tax Assistance, and maintain appropriate training.

11. Coordinate the local Pro-Bono Attorney Program and make appropriate referrals.

12. Establish or expand local State Health Insurance Assistance (SHIP) Volunteer program and provide volunteers’ training and supervision.

13. Advocate when appropriate to help preserve, protect, and expand the rights and benefits of older persons.

14. Maintain accurate and complete client records and reporting requirements in a timely manner; perform 100% MA time reporting daily.

15. Attend meetings and training as required.

16. Adhere to strict confidentiality standards.

17. Help clientele of neighboring counties on a short-term basis during times of vacancies.

18. Assist with all department efforts to recognize department volunteers.

19. Assist with department emergency safety procedures as situations arise and as assigned.

20. Other duties as assigned. May be required to perform activities on a limited basis outside of normal business hours.

WORKING ELEMENTS

A. Education, Training and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in a human service related field. (Note: Educational requirements may be waived by the state Legal Services Developer if the individual has a minimum of four years of experience in income maintenance, insurance, medical billing, or related fields).
• 1-3 years of experience working with public benefits.
• Experience working with an older adult population desired.
• Completes EBS training within 6 months of hire.
• Complete SHIP Counselor training within 6 months of hire.

B. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to work harmoniously, constructively, and cooperatively with other professionals, clients, their families, community service providers, and other members of the public.
• Requires interpersonal and leadership skills, functional reasoning, judgment, and the ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of situations independent of direct supervision.
• Ability to listen effectively and without judgment, applying interviewing skills to identify and assess need and to effectively express verbally creative and helpful options for assistance.
• Requires the ability to read, learn, comprehend, retain, and apply information, including regulations governing applicable state and federal entitlement programs.
• Ability to successfully complete initial and ongoing training as required under Chapter 9 of the Wisconsin Aging Network Manual of Policies, Procedures and Technical Assistance.
• Ability to communicate effectively detailed and complex information to clients.
• Requires the ability to perform duties, follow directions, apply fairly appropriate agency policies, and complete projects in a timely manner independent of direct supervision.
• Requires strong writing skills, and the ability to complete a variety of professional documents, assessments, and client documentation.
• Ability to advocate on behalf of older people.
• Ability to speak confidently one-on-one, or in a small or large group setting.
• Knowledge of and ability to successfully work with Microsoft Office software, general database application, and other office equipment including but not limited to copy machine, computer, FAX machine, calculator, and telephone.
• Ability to travel to consumers’ homes or other assigned locations, when necessary. Must maintain a valid Wisconsin driver’s license.
• Requires the ability to maintain the confidentiality of client, staff, and agency information.

C.

This position works under the supervision of the agency director, while the legal assistance provider has primary responsibility for substantive case supervision. This position requires regular and predictable attendance.

D.

The normal work environment for this position is in an office setting with direct public contact. Communicating orally in a clear manner. Extended periods of sitting with intermittent standing, walking, and driving. Occasional bending, twisting, squatting, or reaching. Use of hand(s) for single grasping, fine manipulation, pushing and pulling, and operating controls. Noise level is typically moderate. Blood borne pathogen exposure is considered low to moderate.

Flexibility to work a varied schedule as needed to meet the needs of assigned clients, and to provide community and employer outreach. Moderate travel to a variety of locations including to private homes. This position is classified as essential in the event of a county disaster or other emergency.

The work environment characteristics and physical demands 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 functions.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $24.09 - $25.56 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Application Question(s):

• 1-3 years of paid or unpaid experience

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Work Location: In person