Benefits Specialist

Description

The position is in-office everyday at our East Point location. This role requires fluency in both English and Spanish.

The Atlanta Community Food Bank is working to end hunger in our community with the food, people and big ideas needed so that no one worries about where their next meal is coming from. Since 1979, we have been providing food for a growing network of nonprofit partners – including food pantries, community kitchens, childcare centers, night shelters and senior centers.

We currently serve more than 700 partners in 29 counties across metro Atlanta and north Georgia.

Benefits Outreach / Partner Relations

The purpose of the Benefits Specialist I is to assist clients in submitting applications for public assistance programs at designated locations and/or over the phone at our main office. As a Benefits Specialist I, you will also be responsible for submitting client documentation and recording client data. Through a partnership with the Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS), our goal is to facilitate the application process for clients who may have limited access to transportation, have been historically underserved, or need general assistance with the application process.

• Empower potentially eligible people to make an informed decision about whether or not to apply for SNAP and/or other forms of government assistance.
• Educate recipients of the recertification process to improve program retention.
• Maintain expert knowledge of program policy information and changes, such as eligibility requirements, acceptable forms of verification, etc.
• Coordinate and conduct application processing through promotional events, arrange application sessions, and use phone calls or emails to screen and enroll potential SNAP participants. Act as a liaison for future client follow-up and communication in collaboration with the SNAP Manager.
• Navigate community resources in areas such as: food, clothing, housing, mental health, and medical services for client use.
• Represent the Food Bank with community members and partners as subject matter expert and attend community events.
• Partner with SNAP Manager to monitor federal and state policy to ensure barriers and opportunities are identified and addressed.
• Collaborate with partner organizations to ensure outreach at the partner’s location is positioned for success.

• Support execution of the Benefits Outreach Strategy by expanding and retaining partners and ensuring ongoing excellent customer service.
• Establish and build effective relationships externally with current and potential partners.
• Collaborate within teams in the department to connect clients and partners to other Food Bank Programs.
• Monitor, track, and report application progress and outcomes.
• Generate reports to accurately capture the number of applications submitted in each period.
• Partner with Management to maintain appropriate record keeping in web-based CRM for data tracking, reporting, and use in grant applications.
• Communicate with DFCS staff to assist clients with ordering new EBT cards confirm issuance, and help clients troubleshoot common EBT card issues.

• Capture and record application data, create reports, and communicate results as needed.
• Maintain good rapport with partner agencies and clients. Tracks, monitors, and maintains application data in Benefits Outreach CRM and other supporting systems.
• Answer questions via phone, voicemail and/or email about organization, public benefits and/or services including providing addresses, directions, and other referral information.
• Interact with a diverse group of people in a professional manner.

• Customer Focus
• Decision Making
• Accountability
• The Ability to Navigate Change

• Demonstrated experience working with the public; assisting individuals with benefits enrollment, recommending services, problem solving issues, or the like.
• Work history that includes attention to detail, collecting, maintaining, and documenting information and…