SSVF Legal Services Benefits Supervisor

SSVF Legal Services Benefit Supervisor

At The Salvation Army, we are dedicated to "Doing the Most Good". We are made up of thousands of officers, soldiers, staff, volunteers, donors, and partners working together to holistically meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of our most vulnerable neighbors. We do this through programs designed to combat homelessness and hunger, provide safe spaces for youth after school and on the weekends, achieve and maintain sobriety, and give hope to the hopeless. The Salvation Army North and Central Illinois Division provides these services to people in need.

NCI Veterans Services Legal Services Benefits Supervisor aims to provide oversight of professional level work supporting low-income Veteran families, regarding Veteran's benefits, available public assistance, claim procedures, beneficiary information and eligibility status for enhanced legal services from legal service providers and foster a deeper understanding of the life-changing work carried out by The Salvation Army North and Central Illinois Division.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Case Management (40%)

• Conducts and/or reviews legal assessments on all Veterans enrolled in the SSVF Program.
• Provides backup direct service support for SSVF Legal Services Benefits Coordinators.
• Serves as benefits representative, develops, and presents information to Veteran families to increase awareness of Veteran's benefits and programs.
• Conducts interviews with Veterans and their dependents and reviews background data on current medical and financial history to obtain information needed to determine eligibility.
• Evaluates information to determine potential eligibility of clients for benefits from related programs (e.g., Social Security, welfare, and vocational rehabilitation)
• Coordinates the claim packages for Veteran families seeking disability, education, medical and related benefits.
• Maintains monthly communication with Veterans referred to program (minimum).
• Provides weekly status updates on referrals.
• Conducts outreach activities throughout catchment area.
• Maintains compliance in The Salvation Army's "Safe from Harm" Certification (required).
• Performs other duties, as assigned related to the SSVF Program.

Administrative (40%)

• Completes necessary tasks to become an accredited agent for filing claims.
• Ensures all SSVF Legal Services Benefits Coordinators receive TRIP training.
• Provides expertise guidance to SSVF Legal Services Benefits Coordinators on the processing of legal claims for Veterans enrolled in the SSVF Program.
• Provides supervision of all SSVF Legal Services Benefit Coordinators staff.
• Maintains up-to-date Master List of clients served in the program to include, intake, status, outcome, exit.
• Maintains up-to-date referral contact lists.
• Develops referral standard operating procedures and guidelines to ensure appropriate referrals to legal service providers.
• Monitors ongoing expenditures as it relates to fee for service billing.
• Conducts quarterly review of subcontractors; performance to ensure compliance with SSVF regulations and allowable expenditures.
• Conducts in-depth annual review of subcontractors' performance to ensure compliance with SSVF regulations and allowable expenditures.
• Assists in generation progress reports on outcomes and activities for Staff Meetings.
• Completes reports for timely submission as required by the VA.
• Reviews data monthly to ensure equity.
• Maintains up-to-date data and accurate record of all legal activities.

Collaboration (20%)

• Develops partnerships with legal aid providers throughout the catchment area.
• Provides specialized informational and administrative tasks to services staff, collaborators, and community agencies.
• Participates in ongoing case coordination and training with SSVF Legal Services Benefits Coordinators staff.
• Works closely with SSVF case managers to determine client's eligibility for benefits, permanent housing, and temporary financial assistance.
• Assists SSVF case managers in identifying legal issues impacting housing stability.
• Coordinates and participates in case conferences.
• Attends community meetings and Coordinated Entry By-Name-List reviews.
• Attends community Veteran events such as Stand Down, Veteran Resource Fairs, etc.
• Communicates effectively with VA, The Salvation Army personnel and legal services providers.
• Attends CAST weekly and monthly meetings as scheduled.

Administrative Expectations

• Successfully satisfy the training requirements associated to the position and as required by The Salvation Army.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Education :

Bachelor's degree in human services, business management or related degree preferred; significant related experience may be considered in lieu of a degree. Advanced degree in social work, counseling or human services is ideal.

Experience :

Three years of claims/benefit processing experience working with social services and/or homeless programs is encouraged. The qualified candidate will also have experience working with Veterans and families.

Skills/Abilities

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience or capacity to demonstrate positive interpersonal skills and work as a cooperative team member.
• Able to work with individuals of diverse legal backgrounds.
• Close attention to detail and a high level of confidentiality
• Ability to multi-task several projects concurrently
• Must have an interest and ability to work with people of diverse racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds in a sensitive and culturally appropriate manner.
• Ability to establish and implement policies and procedures.
• Demonstrated awareness of budget resources and cost control, as well as planning and administering budgets.
• Proficiency in computer software applications, including demonstrated experience in using email, MS Office applications, HMIS.

Job Limitations

• This individual will only commit resources of The Salvation Army that have been allocated or approved.
• This individual will adhere to all policies and procedures in carrying out the responsibilities of this position. The individual will keep the designated Supervisor informed of all critical issues relating to their area of responsibility.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

• This position may be required to do light physical work. Sometimes heavier.
• To successfully perform the essential functions of this position, the employee is regularly required to use standard office equipment including a PC and potentially make public presentations/interactions.
• The work environment for this position includes an office environment with a low to moderate noise level.
• This individual must be able to travel to meet the needs of the position. A valid MVR is required.

Reporting Relationships

• This position reports to the Director of Veterans Services.
• In context related to this position's duties, this individual will interact with a wide range of contacts both internal and external. In these contacts he/she will act as a representative of The Salvation Army and its mission.

Competencies

• Maintain a positive work atmosphere by behaving and communicating in a manner that fosters and maintains positive relationships with co-workers and supervisors.
• Resolve conflicts in a positive manner.
• Treat staff, clients, and visitors with courtesy.
• Respect others' property and person.
• Use professional and appropriate communication to and about co-workers, supervisors and subordinates.
• Support the Mission of The Salvation Army by treating every donor, contact and colleague with respect and dignity, and without discrimination of any kind.

Performance Measures

• This individual will be evaluated on how effectively the outcomes of this position are achieved. Timeliness and accuracy of accomplishing assigned goals will be reviewed. An evaluation of how effective service is provided. Performance will also be determined by outcome information provided during weekly staff meetings and monthly reports.

Position Limitations

• This individual will adhere to all policies and procedures in carrying out the responsibilities of this position.