Public Benefits Specialist

Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless invites applicants for the Public Benefits Specialist role.

Since 1985, Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless has dedicated its mission exclusively to providing services to people experiencing homelessness. Our mission is to live in a world that is just and without homelessness, believing that homelessness can be solved through access to quality health care, adequate and affordable housing, and a living wage.

• Obtain and maintain SOAR certification and Medicaid Presumptive Eligibility certification through online training.
• Conduct interviews with individuals experiencing homelessness to determine eligibility for public benefits, including SNAP, Medicaid, Medicare, SSI/SSDI, SOAR, General Assistance, TANF, WIC, LIHEAP, childcare assistance through CYFD, and Unemployment Insurance.
• Work in on‑campus and field settings to maximize benefits enrollment outreach.
• Collaborate with internal and external referral sources to identify applicants.
• Attend Resource Center and Public Benefit Champions team meetings.
• Maintain current information about benefits access and eligibility requirements for city, state, and federal resources.
• Coordinate with Social Services to identify needs for Case Management, housing assistance, and other resources.
• Develop and maintain relationships with Social Security, Human Services Division, Income Support Division, and Medicaid agencies.
• Accompany individuals to medical, behavioral health, Health Care Authority, and Social Security Administration appointments as needed.
• Coordinate visits to medical doctors, psychiatrists, and other specialists as needed for public benefit services.
• Develop and maintain information tracking systems to enhance outcome reporting.
• Create and provide training on public benefit practices to AHCH staff.
• Perform other administrative tasks and provide department coverage as needed.

• At least 2 years of relevant experience.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Professional boundaries and confidentiality of sensitive/HIPAA‑covered information.
• Ability to communicate complex information to a wide audience.
• Knowledge of medical record terminology.
• High attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Excellent writing skills and ability to synthesize large amounts of information concisely.
• Alignment with AHCH mission and vision.
• Strong computer literacy and willingness to learn new programs.
• Capacity to work independently and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work across multidisciplinary teams.
• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Experience working with underserved populations.

• Current SOAR certification.
• Current PEMOSA Determiner certification.
• Experience with benefits enrollment for underserved populations.
• Degree in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, or related field, or equivalent education and experience.
• Knowledge of public benefits systems in New Mexico.
• Experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness.
• Experience with people with serious mental illness, medical impairment, or co‑occurring substance use disorder.
• Knowledge of Harm Reduction philosophy.

• Low‑cost medical, vision, and dental insurance with health club membership.
• Life insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment fully paid by the organization.
• Long‑term disability fully paid by the organization.
• Paid Time Off – 24 days in the first year of employment.
• Catastrophic sick time accrual.
• 7 paid holidays.
• Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts.
• 401(k) with employer match.
• Student loan forgiveness eligible.

We’re an equal‑opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status. This organization participates in E‑Verify.