Consumer Benefits Specialist

Brief Description
The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD
("The HARRIS CENTER") is looking for a
Consumer Benefits Specialist
to join our team. The Consumer Benefits Coordinator completes benefits forms with potentially eligible clients for programs including but not limited to SSI/SSDI, CHIP, Medicaid, Medicare supplements, & Harris Health Financial

Assistance Plan. The Consumer Benefits Coordinator facilitates financial and medical screenings, summarizes medical and interview information, and submits completed application for benefits to the Social Security Administration (SSA), Harris Health or HHSC. This position works under general supervision with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Your Role In Action

• Interviews consumer, relative(s) or guardian for determination of benefits eligibility for initial or appeals SSI/SSDI applications and Harris Health Financial Assistance Plan. (Screening)
• Completes application for initial or appeals SSI/SSDI claims with consumer, relative or guardian for Non attorney representation. Reviews and compiles supporting documentation for Harris Health Financial Assistance Plans. (Application)
• Completes and enters data into the agency database and the Consumer Benefits Office database management tracking system.
• Summarizes claimant information requested by SSA, DARS or HHSC which may include requests for medical records and current mental status examinations.
• Reviews and interprets Social Security Administration determinations to identify trends affecting disability decisions.
• Provides timely updates of a client's application to assigned clinician and enters updates into Electronic Health Record.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education
What qualifications you will need:

• Bachelor's degree in human services discipline preferred.

Experience

• Experience working with consumers diagnosed with Mental Illness and/or Intellectually or Developmentally Disabled in a clinical setting preferred.
• Experience with Medicaid, Medicare, and/or Social Security disability claims preferred.

Knowledge Skills And Abilities

• Familiar with the requirements for social security eligibility, including documentation needed for approval. Knowledgeable about state laws/regulations related to social security application and ongoing renewal.
• Ability to apply knowledge to determine actions needed to facilitate the approval process.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate with individuals at all levels.
• Effective time management and organizational skills.
• Ability to summarize medical records and verbal information.
• Ability to provide SSI/SSDI benefits training to other Harris Center employees.
• Computer skills-able to organize basic spreadsheets in Microsoft Excel and interpret, extract, and maintain statistical data; able to create basic Word documents.
• Skilled in the use of general office equipment

What We Have To Offer
The Harris Center not only offers a competitive salary but also a suite of excellent benefits designed to enrich your life both professionally and personally. Imagine a future with a robust retirement plan complemented by our generous company matching – a testament to our investment in your long-term financial well-being. Experience the unique advantage of our prior service credit, accelerating your journey towards a more substantial Paid Time Off accrual, empowering you to enjoy well-deserved breaks.

Enjoy Cell Phone Discounts, exclusive entertainment deals through Tickets at Work, and a free Headspace subscription for mental wellness. Additionally, our Employee Assistance Program supports your overall well-being.

Take advantage of significant financial relief through student loan forgiveness as a valued member of The Harris Center team. As a qualifying entity, our employees are eligible for various student loan forgiveness programs, designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with higher education.

What Else You Should Know
This posting is associated with position #9251.

About Us
The Harris Center is the state-designated Local Mental Health Authority and Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) Authority serving Harris County, Texas. As the largest behavioral and developmental disability care center in Texas, The Harris Center provides care to over 90,000 people and has an annual budget of over $300 million.

As part of its mission to transform the lives of people with behavioral health and IDD needs in the third largest county in the United States, The Harris Center provides a full continuum of services at 80 different sites across Harris County. In addition, services are provided in more than 40 different languages as well as sign language in order to better serve what is one of the largest communities in the nation.

By utilizing the unique expertise of its more than 2,500 employees, The Harris Center is committed to meeting the behavioral health and IDD needs of Harris County residents and giving them hope to live to their fullest potential.

Contributes to suicide care and prevention by embracing our values and applying a trauma-informed approach rooted in safety, trust, choice, collaboration, and empowerment.