Income Maintenance Caseworker II

This position is responsible for accurately determining eligibility, processing applications received and providing case maintenance and determination of ongoing eligibility based on reported changes for assigned Income Maintenance Programs.

Distinguishing Features of the Class

An employee in this class is responsible for determining and redetermining eligibility for individuals and/or families in need of Food and Nutritional Services, Medicaid, Work First Family Assistance, Child Care Subsidy, and/or Energy Assistance. Additional assistance may be given to individuals over age 65, persons who meet the definition of blindness and individuals under the age of 65 who meet the required definition of disability. Employee provides intake, applicant processing and case maintenance. Employee monitors clients for compliance with all program requirements (federal, state and county) and verifies that continued eligibility requirements are met. Works under the regular supervision of the Income Maintenance Supervisor II.

Illustrative Examples of Work

• Performs intake duties: receives applications for Adult Medicaid, Family & Children's Medicaid, Food and Nutrition Services, Work First, Child Care and/or Energy programs; interviews applicants to obtain information needed to make appropriate determination of eligibility.
• Refers clients to other agencies or community services that may meet their specific needs.
• Complete thorough documentation pertaining to programs discussed, referrals made and documents why the client is ineligible for benefits.
• Ensures all appropriate forms are completed and signed for each applicant/client/benefit and stores forms in the client's interactive case folder.
• Employee enters applicant information into NCFAST for all requested programs.
• Employee may be required to contact third party sources for needed information.
• Verifies applicant's information including, but not limited to, any and all sources of income, Social Security benefits, vehicles and etc.
• Processes paperwork and applications in a timely and accurate manner according to Federal, Sate and County policy and procedural guidelines.
• Approves or denies economic support to client.
• Monitors cases on an ongoing basis; obtains new forms/paperwork as needed.
• Keeps the client apprised of the status of their pending application.
• Performs case maintenance for continued eligibility according to Federal, State and County policy/procedure.
• Processes changes in client status to maintain up-to-date files and re-determines eligibility of client for economic support, if necessary.
• Adheres to department's rules and regulations.
• Mandatory emergency shelter duty should the need arise
• Other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

• Two-year degree from an accredited program in a human services technology, business administration or closely related curriculum; or graduation from high school and two years of paraprofessional, clerical or public contract experience, one of which must have been in an Income Maintenance program; or graduation from high school and three years paraprofessional/public contact experience; or a four-year degree or three completed years of college-level coursework from an accredited program in a human service or related curriculum:
• And at least one year experience as an Income Maintenance Caseworker II.
• Education indicated should prepare an individual for entry as a Income Maintenance worker. Experience gained by having worked in a public service position requiring interaction with the general public is desirable.
• High school degree and three years experience in a social services agency as a clerical worker who has had contact with the eligibility unit, or in other local, State or Federal eligibility programs such as the Employment Security Commission or the Social Security Administration would be beneficial.

Licenses and Certifications

Valid North Carolina Driver License.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational support functions of climbing; balancing; stooping; kneeling; crouching; crawling; reaching; standing; walking; pulling; lifting; fingering; grasping; feeling; talking; hearing and repetitive motions.

• Worker performs light work exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally; and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently; and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.

• Worker is required to have close visual acuity to work on a computer terminal and perform extensive reading.

• The worker is subject to both environmental conditions: Activities occur inside and outside.

• Worker is subject to extreme cold: Temperatures below 32 degrees for periods of more than one hour.

• Worker is subject to hazards; includes a variety of physical conditions.

• Worker is subject to atmospheric conditions: One or more of the following conditions that affect the respiratory system of the skin: fumes; odors; dusts; mists; gases or poor ventilation.

• The worker is in contact with potentially infectious bodily fluids during the performance of his/her duties.