Housing Forward
Soar Benefit Coordinator
Housing Forward, Maywood, Illinois, United States, 60153
JOB SUMMARY:
SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) is a model that helps individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness who have a serious mental illness, medical impairment, and/or a co-occurring substance use disorder apply for Social Security disability benefits.
Responsibilities of the SOAR Benefits Specialist include but are not limited to the following:
The SOAR Benefits Specialist will report to the WRAP Team Manager. This position requires at least 2 years of experience working directly with individuals experiencing homelessness who have a serious mental illness and/or co-occurring substance use disorder; evidence of ongoing training and education in related areas such as mental illness, substance use, and/or homelessness; an ability to work in non-traditional settings and unstructured environments; and a valid state driver's license with a clean driving record. SOAR training is a plus. The position requires someone who is organized and has an ability to prioritize tasks quickly. The SOAR Benefits Specialist will also attend any trainings/certifications as required by the state. This position will also assist Housing Forward clients with applications for other benefits including SNAP, Medicaid, and Medicare.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES: Work with internal referral sources in Supportive Housing and community partners to identify applicants through team meetings, outreach, referrals, and other community events. 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 appointments at the Social Security Administration Coordinate visits to medical doctors, psychiatrists, 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. Track submitted applications and keep clients and referral source informed of progress. Assist the team with administrative tasks as needed. QUALIFICATIONS:
A Bachelor's degree in a related field, or training as a Peer Specialist. At least 2 years of experience working directly with individuals experiencing homelessness who have a serious mental illness and/or co-occurring substance use disorder. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and meet frequent deadlines. Superior organizational skills and attention to detail Computer experience, including troubleshooting and problem solving and proficiency in MS Office applications (Word, Excel) and database management. Good writing skills and the ability to analyze extensive data and create written reports with accuracy and brevity. Ability to maintain professional boundaries and engagement skills with a challenging population and in non-traditional work conditions. KEY COMPETENCIES:
Evidence of ongoing training and education in related areas such as mental illness, substance abuse, and/or homelessness Lived experience of homelessness or mental illness Familiarity with Social Security Administration's Listings of Impairments Cursory knowledge of medical and psychiatric terminology and ability to write using same Experience with providing outreach and successful engagement to a diverse population, includes working with clients, developing trust, and conducting interviews in non-traditional settings and unstructured environments. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Position Work Conditions, include but are not limited to:
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Frequent travel by foot, car, or other means appropriate to making contact with population. May have to work weekends and before or after standard office hours. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk; sit; reach with hands and arms balance, stoop, kneel or crouch, walk up and down stairs. Sitting for extended periods of time Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and other devices and objects. Physically able to participate in training sessions, presentations, and meetings. Travel for the purpose of meeting with clients, training, collaborating with stakeholders, or off-site personnel/management.
American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement: External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled, must be able to perform the essential job specific functions (listed within each job responsibility) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by the organization on a case-by-case basis.
Housing Forward does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, citizenship, ethnic or national origin, age, disability, medical status, military status, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, ancestry, or any legally protected status. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits and training. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, national origin, or disability.
Job descriptions are not intended and should not be construed to be all-inclusive lists of all responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions associated with a job. While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the job requirements, management reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties from particular jobs and to assign other duties, as necessary. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.
SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) is a model that helps individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness who have a serious mental illness, medical impairment, and/or a co-occurring substance use disorder apply for Social Security disability benefits.
Responsibilities of the SOAR Benefits Specialist include but are not limited to the following:
The SOAR Benefits Specialist will report to the WRAP Team Manager. This position requires at least 2 years of experience working directly with individuals experiencing homelessness who have a serious mental illness and/or co-occurring substance use disorder; evidence of ongoing training and education in related areas such as mental illness, substance use, and/or homelessness; an ability to work in non-traditional settings and unstructured environments; and a valid state driver's license with a clean driving record. SOAR training is a plus. The position requires someone who is organized and has an ability to prioritize tasks quickly. The SOAR Benefits Specialist will also attend any trainings/certifications as required by the state. This position will also assist Housing Forward clients with applications for other benefits including SNAP, Medicaid, and Medicare.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES: Work with internal referral sources in Supportive Housing and community partners to identify applicants through team meetings, outreach, referrals, and other community events. 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 appointments at the Social Security Administration Coordinate visits to medical doctors, psychiatrists, 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. Track submitted applications and keep clients and referral source informed of progress. Assist the team with administrative tasks as needed. QUALIFICATIONS:
A Bachelor's degree in a related field, or training as a Peer Specialist. At least 2 years of experience working directly with individuals experiencing homelessness who have a serious mental illness and/or co-occurring substance use disorder. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and meet frequent deadlines. Superior organizational skills and attention to detail Computer experience, including troubleshooting and problem solving and proficiency in MS Office applications (Word, Excel) and database management. Good writing skills and the ability to analyze extensive data and create written reports with accuracy and brevity. Ability to maintain professional boundaries and engagement skills with a challenging population and in non-traditional work conditions. KEY COMPETENCIES:
Evidence of ongoing training and education in related areas such as mental illness, substance abuse, and/or homelessness Lived experience of homelessness or mental illness Familiarity with Social Security Administration's Listings of Impairments Cursory knowledge of medical and psychiatric terminology and ability to write using same Experience with providing outreach and successful engagement to a diverse population, includes working with clients, developing trust, and conducting interviews in non-traditional settings and unstructured environments. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Position Work Conditions, include but are not limited to:
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Frequent travel by foot, car, or other means appropriate to making contact with population. May have to work weekends and before or after standard office hours. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk; sit; reach with hands and arms balance, stoop, kneel or crouch, walk up and down stairs. Sitting for extended periods of time Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and other devices and objects. Physically able to participate in training sessions, presentations, and meetings. Travel for the purpose of meeting with clients, training, collaborating with stakeholders, or off-site personnel/management.
American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement: External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled, must be able to perform the essential job specific functions (listed within each job responsibility) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by the organization on a case-by-case basis.
Housing Forward does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, citizenship, ethnic or national origin, age, disability, medical status, military status, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, ancestry, or any legally protected status. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits and training. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, national origin, or disability.
Job descriptions are not intended and should not be construed to be all-inclusive lists of all responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions associated with a job. While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the job requirements, management reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties from particular jobs and to assign other duties, as necessary. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.