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Excellent customer service, every time.

Family Support Eligibility Specialist

This information is for reference only. These classifications are no longer valid and were replaced 7/1/2020.

Class Number: 
5202
Annual Salary Range:
$28,872.00 – $46,176.00
Twice-a-Month Salary Range:
$1,203.00 – $1,924.00
Pay Grade: 
04
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Definition

This is entry-level professional work involving determination of client eligibility for income maintenance programs in the Family Support Division of the Department of Social Services.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must meet one of the following eligibility requirements:

(The following minimum qualifications will determine merit system eligibility.  Allowable experience and education substitutions are provided in italics below the corresponding minimum qualification statement; no other substitutions will be permitted.  These minimum qualifications may also be used to evaluate applicants for Missouri Uniform Classification and Pay System positions not requiring selection from merit registers.)

Four or more years of clerical experience (e.g., General Office Assistant, Office Support Assistant, etc.) in income maintenance or child support activities with the Missouri Department of Social Services.

OR

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

(Qualifying experience as described below may substitute on a year-for-year basis for deficiencies in the required education.)

OR

Four or more years of experience in areas requiring extensive customer interaction which includes working with, or management of, business or employee financial records, sales, marketing, management, direct consumer or public contact, and/or customer service functions; and possession of a high school diploma or proof of high school equivalency.

(Earned credit hours from an accredited college or university may substitute on a year-for-year basis for the required experience at a rate of 30 earned credit hours for one year.)

Job Duties

This description may not include all of the duties, knowledge, skills, or abilities associated with this classification.

Determines initial and continuing eligibility of clients for income maintenance programs such as food assistance, medical services, financial assistance, nutritional assistance, etc. according to federal and state standards.

Interviews clients, explains application procedures and assists individuals in completing application forms for income maintenance programs, requiring extensive public contact both in person and by telephone.

Assists individuals in utilizing the resources of the division and the community.

Gathers, verifies, evaluates, and enters necessary social, financial, and medical information to determine the need and eligibility for public assistance.

Prepares summaries of findings to be used in making determination of eligibility for public assistance, ensuring compliance with applicable state and federal laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

Authorizes public assistance based on client circumstances and public assistance program requirements.

Maintains complete and accurate computerized and/or paper records of client eligibility and prepares reports as required.

Performs a variety of diverse tasks while continuing to maintain currency and accuracy of program requirements.

Ensures timely processing of applications to meet client needs and program mandates.

Completes reinvestigations as required by program policy, state and/or federal mandates to ensure continued eligibility for agency services.

Explains and interprets agency policy, procedures, and rules governing public assistance programs to clients and other individuals.

Informs clients of their rights and procedures for appeal and other legal rights related to income maintenance and public assistance programs.

Presents pertinent information at agency conferences or appeals hearings.

Determines public assistance overpayments and initiates repayment process.

Makes alternate application arrangements for individuals seeking benefit assistance who are unable to travel to the Family Support Division offices to establish initial or continuing eligibility.

Refers families, children, adults, or aged receiving assistance to other agencies or community resources, as necessary.

Performs work in an office environment within the limits of established state and federal laws, and agency policy and procedures.

Receives general supervision from a designated administrative supervisor; work is reviewed for attainment of objectives through case record review, reports and conference.

Performs other related work as assigned.

Key Skills

Introductory knowledge of mathematics and accounting principles used in the calculation of public assistance benefits.

Introductory knowledge of communications skills, interviewing and negotiation principles and techniques.

Introductory knowledge of techniques to assess case situations and determine the most appropriate course of action to ensure conformity with established eligibility guidelines.

Introductory knowledge of the general provisions, objectives, and philosophy of public assistance programs.

Introductory knowledge of available community resources.

Skill in handling client behaviors such as fear, hostility, and aggression.

Ability to maintain accurate and systematic records, to organize and prioritize the workload to meet assigned timeframes and adapt to changes in policy, procedures and work assignments.

Ability to operate a personal computer and use automated technology to establish and maintain case records.

Ability to understand, explain and apply federal and state laws, program policy and procedures.

Ability to communicate effectively with applicants, recipients, the general public, and other employees.

Ability to travel, as required, for agency business.

(Revised 3/1/06)
(Minor Revision 11/1/13)