Disability Benefits Advocate

JOB DESCRIPTION

Disability Benefits Advocate

Job Summary:

This position operates as part of the Colorado Disability Benefits Support Program team. As a Disability Benefits Advocate (DBA), this position assists individuals with disabilities, including those with chronic conditions/illnesses, to acquire income, health insurance and other basic needs to stabilize their lives, health and living situations. This includes providing direct assistance applying for Social Security Administration disability programs. The DBA reports to the DBS Executive Director.

Essential Functions:

·  Learn and interpret Social Security Administration (SSA) policies and procedures relating to disability program eligibility.

·  Conduct pre-screening activities on SSA disability program eligibility.

·  Assist individuals with disabilities, including those with chronic conditions/illnesses, via face to face meetings, electronic communication and telephone to develop and file an electronic SSA disability benefits’ application for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and monitor the status of submitted applications.

·  Conduct ongoing outreach and communication with SSA, medical providers, social workers, legal representatives, and individuals eligible for DBS services.

·  Organize medical evidence and write medical summary reports as part of the SSA disability benefits application for SSI and SSDI.

·  Provide basic need connections (housing, food, medical care) for individuals with disabilities who have unmet needs.

·  Learn and interpret eligibility policies and procedures on available Medicaid-related services and perform screening activities.

·  Provide application assistance on available and relevant Medicaid-related services.

·  Serve as authorized SSA representative.

·  Complete electronic data reporting consistent with DBS reporting requirements and evaluation.

·  Remain up to date on SSA eligibility policies and procedures and Medicaid-related eligibility requirements.

·  The ability to arrange transportation and travel independently including the ability to travel freely throughout the Denver metro area.

Qualification Requirements:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and abilities desired. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable the qualified individuals with a disability to perform the essential functions of this position.

Education and/or Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in human services, rehabilitation or related field OR training on SSA disability programs and one year of experience in writing SSA disability applications.

Language Skills:

Have the ability to read and interpret regulations regarding SSA eligibility requirements, Medicaid eligibility and other public assistance programs. Ability to gather information about the DBS customer from a wide variety of sources and write a concise summary on how this medical evidence meets the eligibility requirements cited in SSA and Medicaid regulations. Record electronic data required by DBS evaluation. Ability to communicate with individuals who may be angry, depressed, have memory problems or other challenging behaviors.

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to define problems, collect data, interpret data, facts, and draw conclusions. Ability to understand and practice confidentiality policies, initiate projects and work with minimal supervision. Ability to prioritize competing demands, projects and/or assignments to meet outcomes and designated timelines.

Mental Ability:

The DBA is regularly required to be able to resolve problems, recall details and to concentrate on items at hand. Ability to plan and provide information and training for customers, their families and others working on benefits acquisition. The DBA is frequently expected to think clearly, complete work within deadlines, deal with interpersonal conflicts, and work with frequent interruptions. Ability to develop and implement procedures, plans, and projects under the direction of the Executive Director and in collaboration with others.

Stress Level:

Moderate to High

Physical Demands:

No additional physical demands are anticipated other than those described above.

Desired Qualifications:

·  Personal experience with a disability

·  Extensive knowledge of public benefits rules and regulations

·  Experience with service coordination

·  Knowledge of medical and psychological aspects of disability

·  Knowledge of Colorado human services organizations

·  Experience with SSA requirements and successful submittals of applications

·  Experience with SSA applications (personal or helping others)

Work Environment:

The noise level of the office working environment is low to moderate. A moderate amount of travel: local and statewide. This position includes conducting home visits, meeting in medical provider offices, SSA offices and entering data electronically outside of the office environment using an Internet connection and portable scanner.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable qualified candidates with a disability to perform the essential functions of this position. Colorado DBS adheres to a policy of equal opportunity and nondiscrimination, as explained in its employee policy and procedures manual, and nondiscrimination to all eligible participants, regardless of age, sex, color, sexual orientation, gender expression, ethnic origin, national origin, religion, disability, marital status, parental status, or political affiliation.

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