Career Details :: Welfare Eligibility Workers and Interviewers
Description
Interview and investigate applicants and recipients to determine eligibility for use of social programs and agency resources. Duties include recording and evaluating personal and financial data obtained from individuals; initiating procedures to grant, modify, deny, or terminate eligibility for various aid programs; authorizing grant amounts; and preparing reports. These workers generally receive specialized training and assist social service caseworkers.
Experience
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed. For example, a drywall installer might benefit from experience installing drywall, but an inexperienced person could still learn to be an installer with little difficulty.
Education
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work. In some cases, an associate's or bachelor's degree could be needed.
Training
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees.
Tasks
- Computes public housing rent in proportion to eligible tenant's income.
- Conducts annual, interim, and special housing reviews and home visits to ensure conformance to regulations.
- Initiates procedures to grant, modify, deny, or terminate eligibility and grants for various assistance programs.
- Records and evaluates personal and financial data to determine initial or continuing eligibility.
- Prepares regular and special reports, keeps records of assigned cases, and submits individual recommendations.
- Interviews and investigates applicants for public assistance to gather information pertinent to their application.
- Interprets and explains rules and regulations governing eligibility and grants, payment methods, and applicant's legal rights.
- Reviews training approval forms and payment vouchers for completeness and accuracy.
- Prepares and assists applicants in completion of routine intake and personnel forms.
- Explains eligibility requirements, form completion requirements, community resources for financial assistance, housing opportunities, and tenant selection methods.
- Selects and refers eligible applicants to public assistance or public housing agencies.
- Authorizes amounts of grants, money payments, food stamps, medical care, or other general assistance.
- Receives and records security deposits and advance rents from selected tenants.
Related Careers
- Adjustment Clerks
- Bill and Account Collectors
- Credit Checkers
- Insurance Policy Processing Clerks
- Licensing Examiners and Inspectors
- Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
Important Abilities
General Work Activities
- Getting Information Needed to Do the Job
- Communicating With Persons Outside Organization
- Processing Information
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Assisting and Caring for Others
Important Skills
Frequent Work Context
- Job-Required Social Interaction
- Objective or Subjective Information
- Frustrating Circumstances
- Deal With External Customers
- Indoors
Institutions Offering Related Majors
No institutions found.