CareerZone Pennsylvania

Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs

Description

Determine eligibility of persons applying to receive assistance from government programs and agency resources, such as welfare, unemployment benefits, social security, and public housing.

Job Zone

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some may require a bachelor's degree.

Education Requirements

Moderate-term on-the-job training - Necessary skills are acquired through on-the-job training lasting 1 to 12 months.

Interests

Knowledge

Computers and Electronics	Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Administration and Management	Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Mathematics	Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Law and Government	Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Clerical	Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
Customer and Personal Service	Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Skills

Judgment and Decision Making	Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Instructing	Teaching others how to do something.
Complex Problem Solving	Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Mathematics	Using mathematics to solve problems.
Learning Strategies	Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Service Orientation	Actively looking for ways to help people.
Social Perceptiveness	Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Active Learning	Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Critical Thinking	Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Writing	Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Tasks

• Compute and authorize amounts of assistance for programs such as grants, monetary payments, and food stamps.
• Monitor the payments of benefits throughout the duration of a claim.
• Provide applicants with assistance in completing application forms such as those for job referrals or unemployment compensation claims.
• Investigate claimants for the possibility of fraud or abuse.
• Conduct annual, interim, and special housing reviews and home visits to ensure conformance to regulations.
• Keep records of assigned cases, and prepare required reports.
• Schedule benefits claimants for adjudication interviews to address questions of eligibility.
• Prepare applications and forms for applicants for such purposes as school enrollment, employment, and medical services.
• Refer applicants to job openings or to interviews with other staff, in accordance with administrative guidelines or office procedures.
• Provide social workers with pertinent information gathered during applicant interviews.
• Answer applicants' questions about benefits and claim procedures.
• Interview benefits recipients at specified intervals to certify their eligibility for continuing benefits.
• Interpret and explain information such as eligibility requirements, application details, payment methods, and applicants' legal rights.
• Initiate procedures to grant, modify, deny, or terminate assistance, or refer applicants to other agencies for assistance.
• Compile, record, and evaluate personal and financial data in order to verify completeness and accuracy, and to determine eligibility status.

Wages

Data not available

Outlook

During 2004, there were approximately 5,820 people employed in this field in Pennsylvania. It is projected that there will be 4,940 employed in 2014. This occupation will have about -88 openings due to growth and about 155 replacement openings for approximately 67 total annual openings. This occupation experienced significant decline.

Colleges and Training

Below are college programs that are generally associated with this occupation. To view colleges that offer these programs, click on the titles below.

• Community Organization and AdvocacyA program that focuses on the theories, principles, and practice of providing services to communities, organizing communities and neighborhoods for social action, serving as community liaisons to public agencies, and using community resources to furnish information, instruction, and assistance to all members of a community. May prepare individuals to apply such knowledge and skills in community service positions.

For additional college information and related training about this career path, please visit:

AES EducationPlanner, PA Dept of Labor, PA Career Link, college.gov, and College Navigator

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