Income Maintenance Caseworker II - Food & Nutrition Services

NC Fast experience preferred. Candidate should have strong computer and mathematical skills. Ability to read and interpret policy, communicate with clients and explain regulations and procedures. Ability to meet deadlines within established time frames. Applicants without Income Maintenance Caseworker experience may be considered for a one year training period as an Income Maintenance Caseworker I.The primary purpose of this Income Maintenance Caseworker II position is interviewing, gathering verifications and determining eligibility for applications and / or recertifications for Food & Nutrition recipients in a timely manner, in accordance with the Food & Nutrition manual, Federal and State rules and regulations. The caseworker will be conducting face-to-face and telephone interviews to accomplish this. Good customer service skills and communication skills are essential to perform this job function. The purpose of the interview is to obtain pertinent information, which is verified to determine eligibility of benefits. Thorough documentation in the case file of the information gathered during the interview is vital. This worker will make sure all information taken is in the record, keyed into NC FAST and processed in a timely manner. This worker is responsible for printing and verifying client information through the State computer system, or a third-party source, to avoid duplications of benefits and to get a better understanding of the client's situation.This position explains program requirements and options and refers the customer to other units for assistance as appropriate.This position is from 8 : 00 A.M. until 5 : 00 P.M., Monday through Friday. Workers may be required to stay past 5pm on occasion to finish meeting with a client, process an application or recert that is due on that date, or other duties that have a deadline that cannot be missed. Overtime may also be required at times and, if needed, is worked during the week and / or weekends.

• This worker interviews, gathers verifications and determines eligibility from applicants applying for Food & Nutrition services received via email, fax, mail-in, drop off, or submitted via epass. The worker in this position will determine eligibility for all applications using the NCFAST system.If the case is determined to be consideredexpedited service, this worker will process the application on the same day that the application is taken. Worker will process all cases within a timely manner.If during an Interview it is determined that the customer is in need of Supportive Services, Protective Services, Work First Family Assistance, Medicaid or Transportation Services a referral is made to the respective unit.
• The worker in this position will screen applications and late recertifications received via email, fax, mail-in, drop off, or submitted via epass for expedited services. Worker will be proactive in screening for expedited services to ensure application process can be disposed timely to ensure client has access to benefits by the 7th day. In normal application processing, timeframes ensure the eligibility is determined to ensure client is eating on or before the 30th day. Worker will also assist client by retrieving any information that would aid application to be processed the same day.
• The workers in this position will interview, gather verifying information and determine eligibility for Food and Nutrition recertifications received via email, fax, mail-in, drop off or submitted via epass.Re-certification will be based on program guidelines.
• This worker is responsible for timely completion of system generated tasks, changed decisions, county transfers, and issuing food referrals. Ability to react timely to changes reported by the household to reduce potential fraud and / or agency errors. Second party reviews are completed often and corrections that ensue are to be completed by the 2nd business day. Ability to retrieve state reports to give account for all pending applications and / or recertifications.
• In cases that lead to Court involvement, the worker would prepare the preliminary summary to be used by the Fraud Investigator to prepare the case for court. The worker in this position would be expected to testify as to the validity of the information taken at the time of the interview. This worker is also responsible for preparing the summaries and presenting them for the appellants in local and state appeals. If the recertification has been completed, then the on-going worker would take case to court. Submission of program integrity referral when and if suspected fraud is detected is also required of this worker.
• Employee will be expected to work in emergency shelters and / or perform related disaster tasks and perform other reasonable tasks requested by the immediate supervisor, program manager, deputy director or director.
• Other Work Characteristics
• Calculators, copiers, personal computer, telephone, fax machine, Audio visual equipment and other office equipment will be used in the performance of the duties of this position. Worker in this position must have access to the Eligibility Information system, NC FAST, and inquiry access to Nash County Clerk of Court, Child Support System, Department of Motor Vehicles, Social Security and Employment Security System. Included in materials used in work are case management reports, pending application reports, EIS Manuals, NC FAST, Food & Nutrition Manual, Integrated Manual and Administrative letters as well as other verbal and written instructions.
• The responsibility of this caseworker position must be accurate and exact as well as timely to avoid delay in benefits and ineligible participation.
• Close visual attention is needed in every phase of the job since reading, writing and using machines make up the duties. The computer screens are very hard on the eyes. Intense mental concentration must be maintained not to make errors, which could have a negative impact on the applicants / recipients and the agency. NC FAST is referred to daily as the additional responsibility of entering data into the computer system in order to generate or adjust benefits requires precise attention to detail and accuracy.
• Adhere to confidentiality rules enforced by the agency.One year experience as an Income Maintenance Caseworker I.