Independent Living Specialist Benefits (Rochester)

Summary :

With general supervision provides information and referral for calls about benefits. Schedules intake appointments and completes intake forms with consumers. In addition to benefits advisement, provides all core IL services to assist consumers to obtain or to maintain benefits and to appeal denials or other adverse determinations. Assists consumers to navigate the complex benefits programs to ensure individuals have the entitlements that allow them to achieve or to maintain an independent living situation. Duties :

• Respond to Information and Referral calls and provides appropriate follow up including scheduling appointments with individual.
• Provide benefits advisement and other core IL services for individuals with disabilities.
• Provide benefits advisement to assist individuals in moving out of institutions or to avoid institutional placement. Assists with coordinating benefits so individuals can secure necessary services to live independently in the community.
• Refer individuals to appropriate services both within and outside of RCIL.
• Completed assignments from the IL Supervisor and IL Assistant Director.
• Provide outreach to people with disabilities in the community. Provide education and awareness about benefits advisement services to partner agencies in the community.
• Assist with benefits applications, maintaining benefits, advocate for individuals when problems with benefits arise, and assist individuals with appeal processes, Fair Hearings, and Social Security Administration Administrative Law Judge hearings.
• Assist individuals with benefits recertification processes and provide education about the process so individuals can develop the necessary skills to maintain their benefits.
• Maintain an active caseload of at least 25 people.
• Enter all consumer documentation timely (Information and Referrals, intakes, case notes, and ILP goals), meet all deadlines for reporting (such as social media updates, vignettes, blog posts, newsletter articles, and narratives for agency reports).
• Complete expectations for the ACCES-VR and Commission For The Blind fee-for- service programs. These expectations are in writing and will be signed by both the employee and the supervisor.

Skills :

The duties are representative of the essential functions of the position. The physical requirements for this position are those typically present in normal office environment conditions. Operational flexibility is required to meet sudden and unpredictable needs. Reliable transportation is necessary as there is local day business travel required of this position. Qualifications :

Associates Degree in Human Services related discipline AND minimum of one year experience providing service to persons who have disabilities. Must have expert knowledge of community resources. Must have expert knowledge of benefits programs i.e. Public Assistance programs, Medicaid, SSI, SSDI, and Medicare. Experience with Social Security Administration and DSS Fair Hearings is a plus. Language Required : None Minimum Education : Associates Degree Minimum Experience : 1-2 years