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Customized Assistance Services (CAS) helps Human Resources Administration (HRA) clients with health and/or mental health conditions reach their highest attainable level of functioning and self-sufficiency by providing comprehensive, integrated, individualized clinical and supportive services. CAS works with other components of HRA and with other governmental and non-governmental service provides to create new programs and to integrate and refine existing services so the people it serves can achieve their maximum functional capacity.

Under the supervisory direction of the Associate Benefit Opportunity Specialist I, with some latitude for independent judgment and decision making, the Benefit Opportunity Specialist is responsible for providing various functions of eligibility determination, financial planning, case monitoring and other related services to Public Assistance cases. The Benefit Opportunity Specialist uses knowledge and skills in interviewing (in person and over the phone), quantitative analysis, and other research skills in accomplishing all goals of the Customized Assistance Service (CAS)/Home Visit Needed (HVN) Homebound (HB) Center 90.

CAS/HVN/HB Center 90 operates the Human Resources Administration’s (HRA) Benefits Access and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Centers, administering temporary cash assistance, SNAP benefits, medical assistance, etc., for clients who have a health or mental health condition when applying for or receiving assistance. The CAS/HVN/HB Center 90 works to help with clients who requested or have approved HVN/HB status, to reach their maximum level of self-sufficiency and overcome any barriers.

Customized Assistance Services (CAS) is recruiting for Four (4) Benefit Opportunity Specialists who will:

• Handle the entire application process for all new applicants, performs in-person and telephonic interviews, assesses eligibility for an immediate needs grant and eligibility for Public Assistance, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid. Elicits and records information concerning family composition, income, financial, employment history, responsible relatives who may provide financial support, status of citizenship and other relevant information.

• Provide emergency assistance to alleviate crisis situations such as evictions and utility shutoffs by ensuring that emergency assistance is provided on time and in accordance with regulatory guidelines. Provide comprehensive service delivery to participants after the establishment of the Public Assistance case.

• Recertify Public Assistance cases for financial eligibility within timeframes set by the agency. Changes in household status, including but not limited to income and employment are evaluated and processed on time. Public Assistance Cases are recertified timely, appropriately, and in compliance with agency, state and federal guidelines. Manage all aspects of the Public Assistance case including on-going eligibility and assessment of the Head of Household on the Public Assistance case.

• Ensure appropriateness of case actions such as acceptances, rejections and changes to case file are error- free; utilizes available resources to identify computer systems and Quality Assurance errors and takes appropriate and timely action to make corrections; maintains logs and tickler files to ensure accurate and timely processing of cases; makes appropriate use of tools available, including but not limited to current procedures, reference manuals and templates to avoid errors.

• Initiate and prepare requests for HVN Reasonable Accommodations (RA) status. Provide clients with forms to support their request and assigns provisional HVN status until the request is formerly approved by HRA/CAS.

• Collect, review and scan supporting documentation from the Head of Household and any additional household members on the Public Assistance case; information provided is logged in the case file and a summary is forwarded to administrative staff for assignment and control.

• Ensure appropriateness of adverse actions and that the Head of Household on the Public Assistance case is given required notification of their right to a conference or a conciliation on the case action to avoid possible Fair Hearing related issues.

• May conduct field visits to verify client’s address of record, children’s school information and to ensure that they are not the victims of Child Abuse. As state and city mandated reporters Case managers must report any signs or suspicions of child abuse to the New York City Police Department, the Administration of Children’s Services and the Human Resources Administration.

• Interview applicants or participants describing the various services provided by the agency, as well as the rules and regulations governing eligibility and acceptance for and continuance of public assistance and other related services; emphasizes the engagement and retention aspect; answers questions concerning status of applications and active cases.

• Explore employment opportunities through discussion of participants’ and other household members’ educational and employment background/barriers to employment and steps needed to be taken to formulate a plan for self-sufficiency; evaluates employment status and updates appropriate computer system; monitors computer generated worklists, taking appropriate actions; regularly calls in participants to update progress with securing paid employment.

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college; or
2. A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent, and two years of full
time satisfactory experience in social/human services, call centers, customer
service or a related setting performing the following:
a) Interviewing, determining eligibility for, and/or providing client benefits and
services; or
b) Interviewing, determining eligibility for, and/or providing employment
planning and counseling services including job development, skill
assessment, and employment placement or other economic opportunity
programming.
c) College credit from an accredited college may be substituted for this
experience, on the basis pf 30 semester credits for 6 months of work
experience

**LOAN FORGIVENESS

The federal government provides student loan forgiveness through its Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) to all qualifying public service employees. Working with the DSS/HRA/DHS qualifies you as a public service employee and you may be able to take advantage of this program while working full-time and meeting the program’s other requirements.

Please visit the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program site to view the eligibility requirements:
https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service

In addition, the Human Resources Administration/Department of Social Services offers competitive salaries and the following benefits:

Generous Pension Plans (The New York Employees' Retirement System);
401(k) and Roth 457 Retirement Savings Programs;
U.S. Savings Bonds Flexible Spending Program;
Health Benefits, Dental, Vision Coverage, Prescription Drug Program;
Training and Professional Development;
Opportunity for Scholarship; College Savings Program;
Paid Holidays and Generous Annual Leave.

IF YOU ARE HIRED PROVISIONALLY AS A BENEFITS OPPORTUNITY SPECIALIST, YOU MUST TAKE AND PASS THE BENEFITS OPPORTUNITY SPECIALIST EXAM WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE.

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This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.

9:00am-17:00pm (Flexible)

109 E 16Th St., N.Y.

New York City Residency is not required for this position