Title: Benefits Coordinator for Social Work Dept.
State Role Title: Direct Service Associate III
Hiring Range: starting at $45,000 (commensurate based on experience)
Pay Band: 3
Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop
Location: Western State Hospital
Agency Website: https://dbhds.virginia.gov/facilities/wsh/
Recruitment Type: General Public - G
Job Duties
Western State Hospital is seeking a full time Benefits Coordinator for the Social Work Department to evaluate patients' needs and eligibility for financial benefits; assist patients with benefits applications; and educate staff and patients regarding entitlement programs. This position will review the status of incoming patients to determine eligibility for SSDI and SSI benefits; receive referrals for patients needing Social Security benefits; assess newly admitted SSI recipients for eligibility for continuing payments (TIRE); prompt notification to SSA of patients whose benefits should be suspended because of specific legal codes; provide continuous tracking of applications until a decision is made or until the time of patient discharge; enroll patients in Medicare D programs; and provide education in PSR groups in Webb and Harvest Treatment Malls when requested.
This position is eligible for:
- health, vision, and dental insurance
- retirement with cash match
- paid time off; sick time; family/personal time; and community service time
- life insurance
Minimum Qualifications
- Associate’s degree in a social services/human services field
- Professional work experience with adults with serious mental illness and/or other disabilities
- Work experience in determining clients’ eligibility for federal benefits and other government financial assistance and assisting clients with the processes necessary to access these financial services
Additional Considerations
- A bachelor’s degree
- Experience with the use of Electronic Health Record
- Ability to use Microsoft Word, Excel, and other computer programs to determine eligibility
- Veteran and veteran spouse
- Bilingual
Special Instructions
You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.
Western State Hospital is a tobacco free facility in all state buildings and on facility grounds. Submit a completed state application online at https://virginiajobs.peopleadmin.com/. if assistance is needed, contact by email Samantha.Leep@dbhds.virginia.gov. To apply for a job, you must make sure that your online application is complete. MISSING INFORMATION IS AN INCOMPLETE APPLICATION AND WILL NOT BE PROCESSED. Please make sure all telephone numbers/addresses are current and up-to-date. REMEMBER YOUR CONFIRMATION NUMBER. You have not completed applying for this position until you receive a confirmation number. If you are connected to a printer, print the confirmation number so that you can track the progress of your application and click on OK. If you are not connected to a printer, write down the confirmation number and then click on OK. Reasonable accommodations for the application and/or interview processes are available upon request to persons with disabilities per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Minorities, Veterans and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. WSH is an EEO compliance facility.
In accordance with Executive Directive #18, as a condition of employment, the Commonwealth of Virginia requires all Executive Branch employees, including new hires and contract workers, to disclose their vaccination status. If you are the selected candidate, proof of vaccination will be required during new employee orientation on your first day of work. Employees that are not vaccinated must be tested weekly.
Commonwealth’s Alternate Hiring Process: In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their Certificate of Disability (COD) provided by a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor within the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their Certificate of Disability. If you need to get a Certificate of Disability, use this link: https://www.vadars.org/drs/cpid/PWContact.aspx, or call DARS at 800- 552-5019, or DBVI at 800-622-2155.
Contact Information
Name: Samantha Leep
Phone: 540-332-8306
Email: samantha.leep@dbhds.virginia.gov
In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.
Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.