Eligibility Determination Specialist

Job Information

State of Tennessee – Human Services – Union City, TN

Opening Date: 06/09/2026 12:00 AM Central Time

Closing Date: 06/22/2026 11:59 PM Central Time

Salary: $38,748 – $48,492 annually

Job Type: Full‑Time

• Bachelor's degree.
• Substitution of Experience for
  
  Education:
  
  Qualifying full‑time professional eligibility determination experience or equivalent para‑professional experience for a state contractor serving as an Eligibility Assistant may be substituted on a year‑for‑year basis.
• OR Two years of full‑time para‑professional experience as an Eligibility Assistant or a state contractor serving in this capacity.
• Applicants must:
  Complete a criminal history disclosure form in a manner approved by the appointing authority;
  Agree to release all records involving their criminal history;
  Supply a fingerprint sample prescribed by the TBI based criminal history records clerk.

This classification learns to perform eligibility determination work of average difficulty and is customer facing. Employees learn to interview customers and determine eligibility for SNAP and TANF programs. Successful completion of a mandatory one‑year training period leads to reclassification to an Eligibility Counselor 2; performance ratings of “unacceptable” or “needs improvement” during training can result in demotion or termination.

• Manage a workload of initial and ongoing eligibility determinations for SNAP and TANF programs, conducting probing interviews with customers by phone or in person.
• Provide case management for initial SNAP and TANF eligibility, ongoing eligibility, and customer changes, assessing impact on continued eligibility through direct engagement.
• Calculate monthly income and expenses to ensure accurate budgeting.
• Document information regarding verifications requested/received, benefits and services provided, and other case‑related activity using a computerized case record or paper files.
• Ensure accurate receipt of entitled benefits by reviewing, verifying, and utilizing data provided by customers and multiple electronic systems while maintaining confidentiality.
• Assist customers with the application process and appointment scheduling.
• Review and interpret program policy and explain eligibility and ongoing responsibilities for programs/services.
• Assess customers’ strengths and goals, identify desired outcomes, work activities, and supportive services to aid self‑sufficiency, and refer to available services.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with vendors and outside organizations to obtain information, promote programs, and identify available services and benefits to meet customer needs.

• Tech Savvy
• Decision Quality
• Optimizes Work Processes
• Communicates Effectively
• Instills Trust

• Customer and Personal Language
• English Language

• Mathematics
• Active Learning and Listening
• Complex Problem Solving
• Time Management

• Deductive Reasoning
• Inductive Reasoning
• Problem Sensitivity
• Written Comprehension

• General Office Equipment
• Computer/Laptop/Tablet
• Multifunctional Printer (Print/Scan/Fax/Copy)
• Calculator

This is an on‑site position that requires a criminal background check. Applicants may be required to provide information about their criminal history as part of the application process.