Benefits Counselor & Financial Specialist

The Benefits Counselor & Financial Specialist provides comprehensive financial services to individuals and their families.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS

Representative Payee Services

• Respond to, communicate, and file all Representative Payee inquiries in a timely manner, if applicable.
• Process fund withdrawal requests associated with an individual’s personal funds through checks, credit cards or ACH.
• Evaluate monthly income to ensure those supported are receiving the maximum amount of benefit available to them.
• Enter and maintain all transactions in the Horizon representative payee software system.
• Prepare annual Room & Board contracts.
• Inter-company funds transfer request to remit to Mainstay Life Services from enTRUST Representative Payee account monthly Room & Board fees.
• Reconciles monthly enTRUST Representative Payee bank statement.
• File annual reporting to Social Security.
• Report all changes in life events and the earned income to Social Security and DHS for those supported by enTRUST.
• Manage all individuals’ eligible Federal benefits: such as/but not limited to Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, Civil Annuities, Railroad Retirement, Medicaid and SNAP enrollment and eligibility to ensure ongoing monthly income and financial stability.
• File appropriate forms and maintain information related to individual rent rebates and income tax returns.
• Prepare annual budgets for all people supported by enTRUST.
• Coordinate and provide all requested documentation and information to auditing authorities, Allegheny County, Department of Human Services, Social Security Administration, and any outside required agencies.
• Provide resource analysis in the last week of the month to ensure accounts are within eligible limits for all Federal benefits.
• Track all end-of-life documentation for the people supported by enTRUST.
• Reload, inquire, assist, and solicit any refunds from Access transportation.
• Provide support and communicate with external representatives’ payees in financial matters for people supported by enTRUST.
• Provide onsite support to persons supported at the closest Social Security Administration Office.

Benefits Counseling

· Respond and keep all communication of benefits counseling inquiries in a timely manner.

· Provide services, onsite, remote, or by telephone.

· Maintain proper documentation for billing purposes.

· Prepare and communicate invoicing to OVR when applicable for services provided.

· Prepare case notes and upload documentation to Therap for OVR and ODP funded services.

· Prepare and submit billing for services in Therap the day of each service provided.

· Communicate with Employment Services and Mainstay billing for developments of cases, referrals, and purchase orders.

· Solicit services to potential clients within program that present a “need” for the service: indicators are

new or existing wage earners, overpayments to SSA, or stoppage in federal benefits.

· Communicate directly to employment supervisors and their team of upcoming appointments, developments from previous sessions provided, or annual changes in SSA rules and regulations.

Trust Services

· Respond and keep all communication of trust matters or inquiries in a timely manner.

· Track and manage existing trust holders’ accounts and their day-to-day needs.

· Communicate quarterly reporting to trust holders and all parties involved.

· Conduct meetings to coordinate and facilitate trust openings and document signings.

· Process quarterly net change trust activity.

QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma and two years of related work experience; or any equivalent combination of training and experience.
  • Associate's preferred
• Work Incentive Practitioner Credential – Must obtain within the first year.