INCOME MAINTENANCE SPECIALIST II                                                                                                                        39070

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              (Competitive)

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

The work involves responsibility for determining initial financial and categorical eligibility for income maintenance applicants, based upon established criteria for complex programs, such as Nursing Home Medicaid and Public Assistance, as administered by the Onondaga County Department of Social Services.  The employee is responsible for initial intake of clients, determination of appropriate program and initial budget determination.  The employee is required to deal effectively with potential clients, who may be entering the system for the first time, exhibiting anxiety, fear and frustration.  Client contacts are assigned in a random fashion, determined by the unit supervisor or division policy/rule.  The work differs from that of Income Maintenance Worker and Income Maintenance Specialist in its need to understand the agency program, eligibility criteria and the awareness of outside sources of potential benefit to the client upon initial agency contact.  Completed files are reviewed by an Income Maintenance Supervisor I, and conferences are held as needed to apprise staff of new program standards and agency rules.  While not a supervisory position, the incumbent may lead, coordinate and/or train a group of lower-level employees.  Certain assignments made to employees in this class will require reasonable access to transportation to meet fieldwork requirements made in the ordinary course of business in a timely and efficient manner.  Does related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES

Depending on Unit Assignment, May Perform Any or a Combination of the Following:

        Interviews applicants for Public Assistance or Nursing Home Medicaid and makes initial determination of categorical eligibility and correct case type.

        Reviews complex financial data, including resource investigation, in the determination of program eligibility for Public Assistance, Housing emergencies and/or Nursing Home Medicaid.

        Determines initial eligibility for non-citizens and determines correct coding, based upon Federal and State regulations; includes initial budgeting and time limits for Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA).

        Assists Public Assistance applicants in meeting emergency needs by providing payment of back rent, bus/airplane tickets, gas money, moving expenses, furniture allowances and expedited SNAP when applicable.

        Works closely with landlords as needed to help Public Assistance applicants negotiate payment of rental arrears and future rent payments, including eviction prevention.

        Prepares and computes initial budget and calculates transfer penalties, if appropriate; advises applicants as to amount of assistance and when first case grant may be expected; assists them with initial questions on program.

        Completes drug and alcohol abuse screening with applicants and schedules follow-up appointments with the appropriate services.

        Completes domestic violence screening with applicants and makes appropriate referrals.

        Determines and encourages applicants to seek services for situations seen or identified within the interview process, including appropriate referrals to multiple interdepartmental programs, such as RSP, SAEF and 2Gen, among others.

        Works closely with nursing home facilities, law offices and legal representatives of clients to assist applicants.

        Reviews complex financial data in the determination of program eligibility, including a five-year look back of assets held by the applicant and a spouse.

        Commonly reviews complicated tax returns, including trusts and businesses.

        Represents the agency in a fair hearing setting involving the presentation of data and the cross-examination of same.

        Often works closely with Welfare Attorneys for case eligibility guidance.

        May orient potential applicants to Income Maintenance processes and programs.

        May set up audit/validation examples and determine trends and employee errors.

        May assist in training on initial entry and reinforcement of areas where errors are determined through and audit process.

        May lead or coordinate the work of a unit or group of Income Maintenance Workers.

        May assist with activities associated with program administration.

     FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

        Good knowledge of Federal, State and local Social Services laws and regulations as they affect eligibility for Public Assistance, Housing emergencies and/or Nursing Home Medicaid.

        Good knowledge of Public Assistance and SNAP work rules and requirements.

        Ability to identify the need to establish District of Fiscal Responsibility (DFR).

        Ability to become familiar and implement special Public Assistance budgeting such as Grantee, 3 generation households, stepparent deeming and congregate care, among others.

        Ability to establish effective working relationships with staff members and the general public.

        Ability to become familiar with and apply a variety of rules, regulations and mandates as they relate to the area of assignment.

        Ability to deal with people under adverse conditions.

        Good knowledge of other Federal and State laws, such as Worker’s Compensation, Unemployment Insurance and Social Security and how they affect all Income Maintenance programs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Promotion:     

Eighteen (18) months of permanent status as an Income Maintenance Worker or Income Maintenance Worker (Spanish Speaking) or twelve (12) months of permanent status as an Income Maintenance Specialist.

Open Competitive:

Three (3) years of experience, or its part-time equivalent, in examining, investigating or evaluating claims for veterans or unemployment benefits, insurance or a similar program operating under established criteria for eligibility, which must have included determining eligibility for such benefits and authorizing such benefits where appropriate, one (1) year of which must have involved the application of financial and categorical criteria in a Federal, State or local governmental agency.

Note: Study in a regionally accredited college or university may be substituted for up to two (2) years of non-governmental work experience, on a year-for-year basis.

01/2026 Date of Original Composition