Position Summary: The Entitlements Specialist works as a member of the team to screen, assess, and follow-up with very-low income Veterans/Veteran families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Ensure appropriate participant documentation is obtained and signed. Communicate effectively with service team to rapidly assign cases and address issues from presenting veterans. Support veterans during every step of their benefits/entitlements application, recertification and renewal processes as a means of maximizing income, accessing resources/care, and improving their overall housing stability.
- Delivers support to Veterans and their families in the areas of benefits advocacy, employment coordination and education/training services, both directly and through referral.
- Coordinate Veteran households’ access to income supports, insurance, and benefits.
- Assists team members in the delivery of daily services to support participants housing and income stability plans.
JOB FUNCTIONS:
- Assist Veteran households with accessing needed community services, including but not limited to public benefits such as SNAP, WIC and TANF, clothing, legal & child care services, educational and training resources, transportation assistance, and other supports through the development of a referral network and close follow-up.
- Support veterans in identifying/enrolling in VA benefits.
- Ensure all VA benefit paperwork is provided to school certifying official and submitted
- Complete ongoing trainings to obtain/maintain SOAR certification for rapid SSI SSDI processing. Actively utilize the SOAR model to support participants’ income needs and report on SOAR success rates as required by the program.
- Develop, assess and monitor income plans and resources in conjunction with SSVF staff.
- Act as advocate for participants as appropriate; encourage and support self- advocacy.
- Complete fieldwork at SSA, HRA, VBA, Medicaid, and other community-based and governmental agencies, escorting participants as needed to their benefits appointments and hearings.
- Maintain a strong working relationship with colleagues and program managers.
- Document all services in compliance with agency standards.
- Liaison to community-based services and groups including civic, social service government, businesses and non-profit organizations.
- Participate in ongoing individual supervision, team meetings, case conferences, division meetings and trainings.
- Complete other tasks as assigned by management.