Job Description

For over 125 years, Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens has been providing quality social services to the neighborhoods of Brooklyn and Queens, and currently offers 160-plus programs and services for children, youth, adults, seniors, and those struggling with mental illness.
Caring Communities provides housing and mental health services to those with documented history of homelessness, substance abuse, and chronic mental illness.
STATEMENT OF THE JOB

Under the direction of Director, the Benefit Counselor has responsibility for ensuring proper benefits/entitlements for the residents. This requires functioning as the liaison with the Social Security Administration and the New York City Human Resources Administration. The Benefit Counselor will be required to maintain a professional and ethical disposition at all times. The Benefit Counselor ensures the rights, safety and approved care of all residents by implementing best practices

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Aid tenants with procuring and maintaining benefits and entitlements and issues related to entitlements and increase participation in all benefits and entitlements programs.
• Aid tenants with procuring and maintaining benefits and entitlements, issues regarding social determinants of health and quality of life issues.
• Aid tenants in reviewing correspondences from entitlements offices and filling out all applications as needed.
• Accompany clients to Medicaid, Social Security and Public Assistance offices in order to procure benefits.
• Generate reports to the central office.
• Actively participate in weekly supervision, case conferences, staff and clinical meetings and staff meetings
• Meet with residents to discuss benefit issues and money management plans
• Maintain accurate recordings in case files
• Utilize electronic case record databases as well as RFMS and other databases as required
• Reporting to Behavioral Health Services Administration and/or Agency Administration issues that may have a negative impact on the reputation of the Agency, client and/or staff welfare or any corporate compliance issue
• Provide holiday coverage to accommodate the needs of the program when required.
• Prepare contact notes, incident reports and other documentation as needed
• Collaborate with program management in the identification of new referral sources and developing marketing strategies.
• Participate in screening process for new residents when required.
• Act as resource for Clinical Director and Administrative Office.
• Assist with crisis intervention as needed.
• Performs other related duties as requested or assigned

SPECIFICATIONS FOR EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred. Associates with additional 2 years’ experience coordinating benefits minimum

SPECIFICATIONS FOR EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

• 2-year experience coordinating entitlements
• Mathematical aptitude is required
• Time management, organizational, and computer skills.
• Ability to evaluate and intervene in crisis situations.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Comfortable with public speaking, lobbying and advocacy.
• Flexibility & Creativity.

SPECIFICATIONS FOR PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to work flexible hours and days – including weekends/evenings/holidays according to needs of a 24/7 program, to work evening hours as assigned.
• Ability to walk four flights of stairs.
• Regularly required to talk, hear, walk, stand, & sit.
• Able to lift up to 10 pounds.
• Able to meet with residents and/or staff throughout facilities.
• Able to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, & office equipment.
• Frequent sitting to write reports.
• Able to read printed materials and computer screens.
• Able to travel to multiple locations as needed.

BENEFITS:
* We offer competitive salary and excellent benefits including:
* Generous time off (Vacation/ Personal Days/ Sick Days/ Paid Holidays annually)
* Medical,
* Dental
* Vision
* Retirement Savings with Agency Match
* Transit
* Flexible Spending Account
* Life insurance
* Public Loan Forgiveness Qualified Employer
* Training Series and other additional voluntary benefits.
For more information on our organization, please visit our website at: www.ccbq.org EOE/AA.