IPS Benefits Support Specialist

Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Benefits Specialist

Job Description:

Employees in this position are responsible for providing comprehensive and personalized benefits counseling, including eligibility assessment and intake and referral services, helping consumers access and obtain understandable and accurate information about government entitlements and other sources of income, recommending and facilitating use of work incentives to support consumers’ employment choices, providing information about how benefits may be impacted by employment, and informing and guiding the plan for starting work and over time for making decisions about changes in wages and work hours.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Discover and develop information about community resources, networks, advocacy groups and non-profit providers to assist consumers with implementing work incentives.
• Develop and conduct community work incentive seminars, workshops, or other outreach, education or training activities in order to present information to consumers or professional organizations regarding work incentives and the services provided through the agency’s Supported Employment-IPS program.
• Assess consumers’ financial resources to determine the need to apply for benefits.
• Provide information about consumers’ total income based upon part-time or full-time work.
• Assist consumers in completing applications to secure benefits.
• Assist consumers in obtaining documentation required for applications to Social Security Administration and other agencies.
• Advocate on behalf of consumers with the Social Security Administration office and other agencies.
• Effectively utilize the SOAR/Situation Obstacle Action Results System.
• Track status of consumer benefit applications.
• Provide information about the effect of work on a spouse’s or dependent child’s benefits.
• Ensure the Authority Accounting department and treatment team are notified when benefits are obtained and update information in EHR/Electronic Health Record as appropriate.
• Assist consumers with developing plans to exit benefit systems, if preferred.
• Ensure matching of appropriate services for multiple consumers in caseload.
• Complete reports and documentation required for client records, as well as all forms or paperwork required by the Authority.
• Seek clinical supervision and consultation as needed.
• Accept and employ suggestions for improvement.
• Use EHR to document services provided and other pertinent information
• Provide timely documentation that meets requirements of various funding sources including Vocational Rehabilitation, Medicaid, and others
• Activity participate in Performance Improvement activities.
• Actively participate in the Authority’s committees as required.
• Complete assigned tasks in a timely manner.
• Follow agency’s policies and procedures.
• Attend required meetings, in-service trainings, and other workshops.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Treat consumers with care, dignity, and compassion.
• Respect consumers’ privacy and confidentiality.
• Maintain a pleasant and cooperative attitude with others.
• Show sensitivity to the consumers’ needs, expectations and individual differences.
• Remain gentle and calm with consumers and families.
• Demonstrate superior organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Demonstrate ability to manage multiple high priority tasks and meet frequent deadlines; possess and use excellent time management skills.
• Demonstrate good math skills and deductive ability.
• Demonstrate computer proficiency
• Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills; must be able to accurately relay technical information to beneficiaries and their families in verbal and written format.
• Demonstrate good interviewing skills, both over the phone and in person.
• Ability to make clear and pertinent statements orally and in writing.

• Successful completion of the Community Work Incentives Coordinator (CWIC) training and certification through the Cornell University CWIP program and knowledge of adult specialties, outlined below, to be attained within (6) months of employment.
• Knowledge of psychiatric disorders in the adult population.
• Knowledge of cultural diversity.
• Knowledge of psychiatric rehabilitation principles.
• Knowledge of available community resources.
• Knowledge of educational methods appropriate to adults with psychiatric disorders.
• Knowledge of disability terminology.
• Knowledge of employment support provisions, including but not limited to: Ticket to Work, Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA), Plan for Achieving Self-Support (PASS), Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE), Trial Work Periods (TWP), Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE), Uncompensated Business Expenses, Substantial Gainful Activity for Self-Employment (SGA).
• Knowledge of the eligibility, application, claims and retention processes for benefit resources, including but not limited to: Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, Veteran Affairs, private insurance, food stamps, housing subsidies, medication subsidies, spouse and dependent children benefits, past job retirement benefits.
• Knowledge of the SOAR/Situation Obstacle Action Results (SSI/Supplemental Security Income, SSDI/Social Security Disability Income  Outreach, Access, & Recovery) system.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's Degree in Behavioral Science or related field from a recognized college or university.  Plus (2) years of experience in a mental health or vocational rehabilitation field, preferred.
• Experience providing employment services, and knowledge of the work world are preferred.  Position requires a proactive, well-organized professional who works well independently and as an effective team member. 
• Must hold a valid Alabama Driver's License and maintain a driving record that is acceptable to the Authority's insurance carrier. Must maintain liability coverage on personal vehicles.
• Reliable transportation and willingness to transport clients.