Eligibility Specialist

Requisition No: 858841 | Agency:
Children and Families |

Working Title:

ELIGIBILITY SPECIALIST I -  | Position Number:  | Salary: $1,392.96 bi‑weekly, $36,216.96 annually

This posting will be used to fill position vacancies in OPS and Career Service. Current employees will be compensated in accordance with the DCF salary policy.

Families in need and in crisis require time‑sensitive actions from strong, compassionate individuals who are dedicated to assisting the vulnerable and promoting strong self‑sufficient families. This demanding and challenging career could be your opportunity to help those in need make a better life for themselves and their families.

Every minute and every case processed counts for those who are hungry, caring for others, in need of assistance to provide shelter for loved ones, or just need a helping hand, and your career choice could make a critical difference by making a tremendous impact on countless lives. If you are interested in making a difference, please join our team!

The primary function of an Eligibility Specialist involves determining the eligibility of applicants and recipients for government assistance programs. The work performed includes processing data from electronic sources and entering information into a computer‑based eligibility system under state and federal requirements. Eligibility workers are expected to handle a high volume of work which is deadline driven. Workers must be able to prioritize, plan and project their work, while remaining flexible to frequent changes in program policy and/or computer‑based systems.

The duties of a typical day are as follows:

• Interview applicants to obtain and verify information needed to determine eligibility for Food Assistance, Medicaid, and Cash Assistance.
• Learn numerous state and federal program regulations, through intensive training prior to full case assignment and then ongoing training thereafter.
• Instruct clients in completion of various forms, and review the applications and forms submitted for completeness and accuracy.
• Determine program eligibility in accordance with current regulations using a computer‑based eligibility system.
• Research information provided by an applicant until satisfactory explanations regarding eligibility status are confirmed.
• Report cases where identity theft or fraud is suspected.
• Advise clients of deadlines, time frames, and necessary actions to be taken.
• Work with clients who may not take the necessary actions within the required time frame.
• Establish and maintain multiple electronic files and conduct regular reviews and updates.
• Document all communications and contacts with clients.
• Manage an electronic caseload that varies based on community needs, ensuring that accuracy levels are maintained and cases are processed within specified time frames set by federal and state regulations.
• Compute and authorize government assistance benefits based on financial and family status. Review and explain the monthly benefit amount to the customer.
• Stay current with changes in rules, laws, procedures, etc. that affect timeliness and accuracy.
• This position may require face‑to‑face contact with clients.

• Two years or more of customer service, interviewing, recruiting, investigating, accounting, processing insurance policies or determining eligibility; OR an associate degree, or higher from an accredited college or university; OR 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours can substitute for the experience (please attach required education, certification, or licensure).
• Ability to attend an 8–12‑week mandatory training course.

• All eligible candidates will be required to complete a skills assessment to include the following tests, which requires successful completion for advancement to the next step in the hiring process: within 3 days of the link being sent by email, the assessment must be completed.
• Typing (TT) – A test of typing speed, measuring both speed and accuracy with a minimum 25 words per minute.
• General Aptitude Mobile Evaluation (GAME) – A test to evaluate critical thinking, problem‑solving ability, attention to…