Representative Payee

Title: Representative Payee

Reports To: Department Manager

Schedule: Mon-Fri, 8 am - 4 pm

Compensation: $21.42 - $23.50 per hour

Job Classification: Non-exempt

This position is represented by the AFSCME Local 999

Agate Housing and Services is an innovative and collaborative nonprofit organization whose mission is to end homelessness and relieve hunger through action and advocacy. We progress toward this goal by providing emergency services, shelter, and housing programs for individuals and families. We meet people experiencing homelessness where they are and accompany them on their journey to safe, stable housing and a healthier life. We believe that housing is a basic human right.

Agate Housing and Services values are:

Integrity: Consistently doing the right thing even if it isn't the popular thing.

Equity: Fighting the status quo by actively examining and changing the way things are done to better represent the people who are most impacted by homelessness and hunger.

Humanity: Understanding how these issues impact us- the community, our staff, and the people we work with- as a collective and developing relationships by establishing trust when we put in work to understand the needs of people experiencing homelessness and hunger.

Creativity: Responding to the needs of the community with innovative and unique solutions.

Benefits of working with us:

• Competitive pay
• Medical insurance
• Employer-paid Dental and Life Insurance
• Generous PTO
• Flex Spending Account
• Health Savings Account
• Free Employee Assistance Program
• Floating holidays
• Retirement plan with employer match, up to 3%, deferred
• Referral Bonus Program

Position Overview:

A Representative Payee helps in client management by managing their funds received from Social Security. A payee helps participants in applying for services and managing client accounts once benefits have been received. This position plays a critical role on the team performing accounting, budgeting and reporting functions for representative payee clients.

Position Responsibilities:

• Client intake- Assist applicants in completing application paperwork for rep payee services and submitting application to SSA.
• Answer phone calls from clients and return phone calls in a timely manner.
• Act as a representative payee for participants who are not able to manage their own money, including developing a budget with the participant and reviewing participant budgets monthly.
• Track all participant income received (SSI, SSDI, Veteran's benefits, MFIP, etc).
• Pay participants rent, utility, phone and other major bills in a timely manner.
• Provide for regular distribution of personal needs money after rent and bills are paid including ACH payments.
• Ensure that all checks are properly documented and approved in accordance with established internal control procedures.
• Provide benefit information to social service agencies/medical facilities that serve the participant.
• Interact with Social Security to resolve any social security payments and reporting requirements.
• Complete written reports to SSA accounting for the use of funds, updating SSA as needed.
• Return any payments to which the beneficiary is not entitled to SSA.
• Assist in acquiring a MN state ID or Medicare card if necessary.
• Keep abreast of nonprofit best practices and state and federal law regarding nonprofit operations.
• Complete Disability reports and Representative Payee reports.
• Scan or email reports to clients as requested.
• Go through mail every day - including mail for off-site rep payee.
• File all important paperwork for clients.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Bookkeeping and budget experience required; A.A. in Accounting or Finance a plus.
• Excellent customer service skills required.
• Experience in client management preferred.
• Ability to handle frustrated and demanding clients in a calm, appropriate and professional manner.
• Ability to prioritize tasks, work independently and meet deadlines.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Proficient using QuickBooks, Excel, MSOffice.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive materials and information.
• Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Demonstrates skill in understanding cultural differences.
• Passionate about working in an organization that values and promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism.
• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills.
• Must possess basic computer skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

In addition, successful applicants will embrace the following perspective, skills and abilities:

• Commitment to Agate Housing and Services' values and mission of ending homelessness and relieving hunger through action and advocacy.
• Commitment to working towards an anti-racist culture both within Agate Housing and Services and the broader community.
• Hold the belief that every household can achieve housing stability.
• Commitment to harm reduction and housing first philosophies.
• Ability to work respectfully with clients, coworkers, and key members of the community and staff who are diverse with respect to race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, and religion.
• Ability to establish rapport quickly with people experiencing a crisis through use of trauma informed care, client centered care, and strengths-based approaches.
• Ability to meet expectations regarding paperwork and documentation through organizational skills, a strong attention to detail, and the ability to work efficiently and accurately, competency and comfort using technology and computers.

Experience that gives applicants the required skills, abilities, and perspectives listed above are commonly gained through one or more of the following:

• Personal experience with homelessness.
• Experience working, interning, or volunteering with people experiencing homelessness.
• An Associates, Bachelor's, or Master's degree in a relevant field such as Social Work (with accompanying licensure), Human Services, or Family Studies.

We encourage applicants with lived experience to apply, however, those that have received services from Agate Housing and Services within the last two years are ineligible for employment.

Agate Housing and Services is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and strives to promote an environment that is diverse and inclusive where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect. Agate Housing and Services is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from people of color, indigenous people, persons with disabilities, and LBGTQ+ individuals.