Job Details
Level
Entry
Job Location
2330 Bronx Park East Residence – Bronx, NY
Position Type
Full Time
Education Level
High School
Job Category
Nonprofit – Social Services
Description
JOB SCOPE: The Benefits, Entitlements, & Leasing Specialist is responsible for initiating and maintaining entitlements and benefits for residents in supportive housing facilities serving formerly homeless, mentally ill adults and assisting with LIHTC compliance. Assists residents through the initial eligibility and recertification processes for appropriate benefits, collects income and asset documentation for annual recertifications, and assists with maintenance and organization of tenant files Essential activities include escorting residents to appointments, advocating for residents’ entitlements, educating residents about their entitlements, troubleshooting any entitlement or benefit related issues, and working with the LIHTC team to document benefits and maintain tenant files.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Regular advocacy for entitlements and benefits to ensure effective residential and treatment coverage (including Social Security, Social Security Disability, Public Assistance)
- Off-site advocacy and collateral contact with entitlements representatives
- Work closely with Finance, Property Management, Program Directors and Residential staff on potential entitlement concerns
- Review entitlements with perspective residents
- Assist resident with initial SSI, SSDI, Food Stamps, Public Assistance and Medicaid applications
- Escort residents to various government and city agencies (Social Security Administration, HRA-Public Assistance, Medicaid, and Food Stamp offices)
- Assist residents with addressing rent arrears, including applying and securing One Shot Deals
- Assist and follow up on resident’s correspondence received from various city and government agencies via phone, mail, email and/or fax
- Assist the LIHTC team with collecting income documentation for recertification.
- Represent residents and agency at consumer administrative hearings
- Educate PCMH residents and staff regarding benefit eligibility, both individually and through the facilitation of groups/trainings.
- Attend information trainings and seminar to remain current on trends and entitlements system changes
- Regularly required travel to sites in and outside the organization
- Work with Intake Department in the identification of accepted clients in efforts to begin the process of securing benefits/entitlements
- Complete initial Congregate Care Change report form upon move in
- Complete Change of Address through respective city and government agencies
- Stay current with the State Living Arrangements definitions (Living Alone, Living with others, Congregate care Level I, Congregate Care level II, Congregate Care Level III)
- Assess for Homebound, Reasonable Accommodation and Adult Protective Services
- Assists the LIHTC team with administrative duties related to tracking, maintaining, and organizing tenant files.
- Meet with tenant to obtain signatures on Tenant Income Certifications and related leasing paperwork.
- Participate in special projects as assigned by senior management
- Adhere to personnel and residential policies and procedures as outlined in the PCMH Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual and the Residential Policies and Procedures Manual.
- Performs other duties, consistent with the goals and objectives of the program, as assigned by Administrative Personnel for Residential Services.
Schedule: Monday to Friday 9am-5pm
Salary: $45,000 Annually
Qualifications
KNOWLEDGE:
- Microsoft Office
- Foothold AWARDS
- Real Page
SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to relate to residents
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Ability to effectively manage time
- Good judgment
- Ability to appropriately assess residents’ service needs as it relates to their entitlements and benefits
- Ability to troubleshoot problems independently
- Ability to work effectively with internal and external service providers
- Ability to develop and network with community resources
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- High School Diploma or equivalent is required, college degree or 2 years of experience in a mental health field preferred.
- Minimum two years’ experience working in a residential, mental health or related setting.