Assistor

Description

SEVCA’s mission is to empower and partner with individuals and communities to alleviate the hardships of poverty, provide opportunities to thrive, and eliminate root causes of poverty in southeastern Vermont. Our core values serve as the foundation for how we work with our communities and each other:

• Respect & Kindness: We treat everyone with dignity and compassion
• Accountability: We do what we say we will do
• Equity & Justice: We strive for fairness and celebrate diversity
• Learning & Growth: We embrace change and invest in growth
• Collaboration: We work together – across SEVCA and with our community
• Service Excellence: We put people and community first

The Benefits Assistor helps income-eligible individuals and families in Windham and Windsor Counties understand, apply for, and maintain the public benefits they qualify for. This may include health coverage, food assistance, and other essential support programs. This position exists to meet growing demand for dedicated, ongoing benefits navigation that goes beyond what Family Services staff can provide alongside their crisis response and case management caseloads.

The Benefits Assistor works closely with other members of the Family Services team, serving as the primary point of contact for clients whose needs are complex or ongoing. This role is central to SEVCA's mission of helping people cope with and move beyond the hardships of poverty.

• Obtain and maintain Benefit Assistor certification through the Vermont Department of Vermont Health Access (DVHA)
• Provide education, enrollment assistance, and health insurance navigation for Medicaid and other Vermont Health Connect programs to SEVCA clients
• Provide education, application assistance, and outreach for hunger relief programs such as 3
  
  SquaresVT (SNAP), Farm to Family Coupons, and Crop Cash
• Assist clients in applying for and maintaining other benefits programs, including fuel and utility assistance, as needed
• Serve as the primary point of contact for clients with complex or ongoing benefits needs
• Advocate for clients with various agencies to apply for and access essential and supportive services, and coordinate efforts with other agencies on the household's behalf
• Meet with households in a variety of settings outside the office, including their homes and other community locations
• Travel as needed within Windham and Windsor counties to meet with clients
• Refer and connect clients to additional SEVCA supports and services
• Participate in team meetings, case consultations, training opportunities, quality improvement initiatives, and community collaborations to strengthen services and improve client outcomes
• Work collaboratively with Vermont 211, the Vermont Community Action Partnership, and other organizations providing Benefit Assistor services to maintain consistent data collection, reporting, and overall quality of service
• Maintain accurate and timely case documentation in accordance with SEVCA policies and funder requirements
• Other duties as assigned

Success in this position is measured by: timely maintenance of DVHA Benefit Assistor certification; accurate, complete, and timely case documentation; the number of households assisted with benefits applications and enrollment; effective coordination and internal referrals to other SEVCA staff and services; and positive client outcomes in accessing and maintaining eligible benefits.

Work for this position is primarily conducted in the office, in clients' homes, and at community locations throughout Windham and Windsor Counties, and requires regular local travel. The ability to physically navigate these various environments is required. The work involves sitting…