SOAR Benefits Specialist

This is a contract position with no benefits offered.

The purpose of this contract is to provide services through SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) program which is a national model designed to assist individuals who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness and have a serious mental illness, medical impairment, and/or co-occurring substance use disorder. The goal is to reduce and/or eliminate homelessness for individuals with serious mental illness, medical impairments and/or substance use disorder that may qualify for SSI/SSDI who are experiencing homelessness.

CONTRACTOR shall have five years of social services experience;
Or Six years of full-time experience in any field plus two years of social services experience;
Or a bachelor’s degree plus two years of social services experience.

• Must pass background check and drug screening
• Valid driver’s license
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and adhere to ethical standards in all interactions with clients and staff

Contractor shall perform the following operations:

• Maintain flexible schedule to meet the identified need of the community (days and hours of duties can vary). This schedule will be agreed upon by NEDHSA Administrative staff.
• Complete SSI and SSDI applications for eligible individuals via the Social Security website, type documents, send emails, scan, fax, and use online search functions.
• Conduct outreach in the community up to fifty percent (50%) of the work time. Outreach entails the extension of services, resources, or information to communities who may encounter difficulties in accessing them. Furthermore, it involves the cultivation of relationships and partnerships to enhance outcomes through initiatives such as workshops, campaigns, or the provision of essential services to underserved populations.
• Maintain the community outreach log and other documents as applicable and/or required.
• Submit monthly invoice for payment by the 5th of each month. The invoice should be completed with necessary supporting documentation attached.
• Review invoices and timesheets.
• Request and verify supporting documentation, if needed.
• Confirm training completion.
• Review tracking document for accuracy and completion.

Contractor agrees to:

• Work in the community and meet individuals experiencing homelessness where they are, including encampments, under bridges, and in abandoned houses/buildings.
• Work with referral sources and community partners to identify applicants through team meetings, outreach and referrals.
• File documentation of representation with SSA office.
• Complete interviews with individuals to gather information to complete SSI/SSDI applications.
• Gather medical records and other information to complete SSI/SSDI applications.
• Write SOAR Medical Summary Reports for individual applications.
• Accompany individuals to Social Security Administration appointments.
• Coordinate visits to medical doctors, psychiatrist, and other specialists to obtain evidence for the application.
• Coordinate case management services with partners and help with providing case management services to individuals when needed.
• Assist the team with administrative task as needed.
• Assist consumers in obtaining identification documents, connecting participants with additional mainstream benefits and agencies that offer additional services.
• Coordinate visits to medical doctors, psychiatrist, and other specialists to obtain supporting evidence for case; and case management service with partners to consumers when needed.
• Maintain database/spreadsheet of each individual screened
• Orientation and annual training shall be provided by the contractor to all contract staff. Training should include, but not limited to, professional boundaries, abuse/neglect policy and reporting procedures, crisis, the contract statement of work, the program policies and procedures, cultural competency and multicultural sensitivity, HIPAA, 42
  
  CFR Part2, as well as signs and symptoms of severe mental illness and substance intoxication.
• CONTRACTOR shall ensure that all staff receive and sign a copy of NEDHSA’s Code of Conduct and NEDHSA’s…