What are the responsibilities and job description for the Eligibility Worker - Faribault & Martin Counties position at Minnesota Merit System?
Fairbault-Martin Health and Human Services is accepting applications for a full-time (40 hours per week) Eligibility Worker, located in Blue Earth, MN.
Come join the public service team at Human Services of Faribault & Martin Counties! You will be a part of skilled, caring and knowledgeable health and human services professionals whose talents and contributions promote, strengthen and protect individuals, families and communities in Faribault and Martin Counties every day!
The HSFMC comprehensive benefit package includes medical insurance, dental, vision, accident, and critical care insurance, retirement plan, employer paid life insurance, health savings account, pre-tax flexible spending accounts, short and long-term disability insurance, tax deferred compensation, generous paid leave policy, and 10 paid holidays each year. Employees are eligible for the Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. Office Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday – Friday; flexible work hours can often be accommodated to balance family and personal life.
Faribault & Martin Counties are mostly rural/agricultural. Our small-town values make this an ideal place for raising families yet we are only two hours from the Twin Cities and all it has to offer.
Embracing respect and integrity, Human Services of Faribault & Martin Counties responds to the needs of all community members and provides health and human services in a dignified and meaningful manner. Through a partnership with those we serve, we strive to improve their current situations and help them live their best life.
Position involves interviewing clients to accurately record and process applications for determining eligibility for programs; interpreting and implementing policy. The ongoing caseload is monitored and maintained to ensure timely and accurate benefits. Case documentation is written in a clear and complete manner to reflect pertinent case information. Work is completed in various state and local computer systems.
PLEASE SEE EXAMINATION PROCESS SECTION BELOW ON HOW TO APPLY AND HOW TO TAKE THE ONLINE MERIT SYSTEM EXAM. • Interviews clients to obtain necessary factual information, and verifies information received from clients.
• Determines eligibility and the amount of benefits for a variety of income maintenance programs, including cash, food, medical and child care assistance.
• Explains application procedures to individuals or groups and answers questions of individuals on how to complete the application forms.
• Communicates program time limits, expectations and other program requirements to the client, and serves as central point of communication for financial, child care and employment services.
• Advises clients on viable life options and promotes self-sufficiency.
• Informs applicants about managed health care, determines eligibility for enrollment in managed health care, determines the most cost effective insurance, and resolves problems and questions from health plans, health care providers, enrollees and other staff.
• Performs data entry into multiple county and state computer systems and retrieves information from those systems.
• Re-determines eligibility and benefit amounts required by changes in a client's status, by reviewing and verifying client information, preparing budgets and related documents, and calculating benefit amounts in accordance with established benefit standards.
• Maintains complete and accurate records on client's eligibility for all assigned programs.
• Provides requisite information on new and existing cases to child support, employment services and other appropriate staff.
• Advises clients of case status, including explaining eligibility requirements and benefit factors, assesses client needs, and refers clients to programs and other community resources to assist them in maintaining eligibility, or in the event that the client is no longer eligible for public assistance.
• Responds to complaints of clients and informs clients of the right and method of appeal and other legal rights.
• Prepares county case for appeal hearings, documenting the actions taken by the county and provides testimony at the appeal hearing.
• Assists law enforcement and the county attorney's office in preparing cases for prosecution and provides testimony in court.
• Makes referrals to social services, when appropriate.
• Makes contacts with community resources as assigned.
• Provides input into the development and evaluation of the income maintenance unit's policies and procedures.
• Composes correspondence and constructs reports as needed.Three years of clerical experience or experience working with the public, or some combination of the two, totaling three years.
Or
Two years of clerical experience in a social services / human services agency.
Or
Two years of study at an accredited two or four year college or university or similar institution, with emphasis in the behavioral sciences, business, or closely related subjects (at least 23 quarter credits or 16 semester credits).
Or
Successful completion of the technical college Public Welfare Eligibility Worker diploma program (applicants much be within six months of completion of the program.)
Or
Successful completion of the technical college Public Welfare Eligibility Worker certificate program will substitute for one year of the required clerical experience or experience working with the public.
Preferred Qualification:
Bilingual (English/Spanish) highly valued. IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
In order to be considered for this job, you must take and pass an examination, which is offered online. The examination consists of seven (7) sub-sections measuring arithmetic, eligibility determination and reading comprehension. You will need a calculator and/or scratch paper in order to complete this exam.
After your Merit System application has been submitted, you will be sent an invite e mail with a unique link to access the examination sections. You will need scratch paper and/or a calculator to complete the exam. Set aside enough time to take this examination in it's entirety (in one sitting). It is a TIMED exam and will allow one hour and thirty minutes to take the exam; a timer will appear in the upper right hand corner of your screen showing you how much time remains as you go through the exam. If you get out of a section before completing it - it will score the unanswered questions as "0s" zeros and you will not be given credit. Please take the exam in it's entirety in one sitting as required.
If a passing score is obtained, your score will remain on the eligible list up to one year (or until you are hired into a permanent position). You will not need to re-take this online examination if you have obtained a passing score of at least 70. If you have any changes to your application, such as updating your availability, please notify the Merit System directly.
How to Apply:
Please submit an application for the Eligibility Worker exam at this link here: 951-Online (5) - Eligibility Worker - Online Exam (5) by the April 30th, 2026 deadline.
Please note, you are applying for a specific county vacancy and the exam must be completed online by April 30th 2026 (midnight).
Come join the public service team at Human Services of Faribault & Martin Counties! You will be a part of skilled, caring and knowledgeable health and human services professionals whose talents and contributions promote, strengthen and protect individuals, families and communities in Faribault and Martin Counties every day!
The HSFMC comprehensive benefit package includes medical insurance, dental, vision, accident, and critical care insurance, retirement plan, employer paid life insurance, health savings account, pre-tax flexible spending accounts, short and long-term disability insurance, tax deferred compensation, generous paid leave policy, and 10 paid holidays each year. Employees are eligible for the Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. Office Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday – Friday; flexible work hours can often be accommodated to balance family and personal life.
Faribault & Martin Counties are mostly rural/agricultural. Our small-town values make this an ideal place for raising families yet we are only two hours from the Twin Cities and all it has to offer.
Embracing respect and integrity, Human Services of Faribault & Martin Counties responds to the needs of all community members and provides health and human services in a dignified and meaningful manner. Through a partnership with those we serve, we strive to improve their current situations and help them live their best life.
Position involves interviewing clients to accurately record and process applications for determining eligibility for programs; interpreting and implementing policy. The ongoing caseload is monitored and maintained to ensure timely and accurate benefits. Case documentation is written in a clear and complete manner to reflect pertinent case information. Work is completed in various state and local computer systems.
PLEASE SEE EXAMINATION PROCESS SECTION BELOW ON HOW TO APPLY AND HOW TO TAKE THE ONLINE MERIT SYSTEM EXAM. • Interviews clients to obtain necessary factual information, and verifies information received from clients.
• Determines eligibility and the amount of benefits for a variety of income maintenance programs, including cash, food, medical and child care assistance.
• Explains application procedures to individuals or groups and answers questions of individuals on how to complete the application forms.
• Communicates program time limits, expectations and other program requirements to the client, and serves as central point of communication for financial, child care and employment services.
• Advises clients on viable life options and promotes self-sufficiency.
• Informs applicants about managed health care, determines eligibility for enrollment in managed health care, determines the most cost effective insurance, and resolves problems and questions from health plans, health care providers, enrollees and other staff.
• Performs data entry into multiple county and state computer systems and retrieves information from those systems.
• Re-determines eligibility and benefit amounts required by changes in a client's status, by reviewing and verifying client information, preparing budgets and related documents, and calculating benefit amounts in accordance with established benefit standards.
• Maintains complete and accurate records on client's eligibility for all assigned programs.
• Provides requisite information on new and existing cases to child support, employment services and other appropriate staff.
• Advises clients of case status, including explaining eligibility requirements and benefit factors, assesses client needs, and refers clients to programs and other community resources to assist them in maintaining eligibility, or in the event that the client is no longer eligible for public assistance.
• Responds to complaints of clients and informs clients of the right and method of appeal and other legal rights.
• Prepares county case for appeal hearings, documenting the actions taken by the county and provides testimony at the appeal hearing.
• Assists law enforcement and the county attorney's office in preparing cases for prosecution and provides testimony in court.
• Makes referrals to social services, when appropriate.
• Makes contacts with community resources as assigned.
• Provides input into the development and evaluation of the income maintenance unit's policies and procedures.
• Composes correspondence and constructs reports as needed.Three years of clerical experience or experience working with the public, or some combination of the two, totaling three years.
Or
Two years of clerical experience in a social services / human services agency.
Or
Two years of study at an accredited two or four year college or university or similar institution, with emphasis in the behavioral sciences, business, or closely related subjects (at least 23 quarter credits or 16 semester credits).
Or
Successful completion of the technical college Public Welfare Eligibility Worker diploma program (applicants much be within six months of completion of the program.)
Or
Successful completion of the technical college Public Welfare Eligibility Worker certificate program will substitute for one year of the required clerical experience or experience working with the public.
Preferred Qualification:
Bilingual (English/Spanish) highly valued. IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
In order to be considered for this job, you must take and pass an examination, which is offered online. The examination consists of seven (7) sub-sections measuring arithmetic, eligibility determination and reading comprehension. You will need a calculator and/or scratch paper in order to complete this exam.
After your Merit System application has been submitted, you will be sent an invite e mail with a unique link to access the examination sections. You will need scratch paper and/or a calculator to complete the exam. Set aside enough time to take this examination in it's entirety (in one sitting). It is a TIMED exam and will allow one hour and thirty minutes to take the exam; a timer will appear in the upper right hand corner of your screen showing you how much time remains as you go through the exam. If you get out of a section before completing it - it will score the unanswered questions as "0s" zeros and you will not be given credit. Please take the exam in it's entirety in one sitting as required.
If a passing score is obtained, your score will remain on the eligible list up to one year (or until you are hired into a permanent position). You will not need to re-take this online examination if you have obtained a passing score of at least 70. If you have any changes to your application, such as updating your availability, please notify the Merit System directly.
How to Apply:
Please submit an application for the Eligibility Worker exam at this link here: 951-Online (5) - Eligibility Worker - Online Exam (5) by the April 30th, 2026 deadline.
Please note, you are applying for a specific county vacancy and the exam must be completed online by April 30th 2026 (midnight).
An Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer
Salary : $24 - $31