Benefits Information Network Liaison

Division: Client Support Services
Department: CSS-Rehabilitation (CSS-R) Employment Solutions
Supervised By: Program Manager
FLSA Status: Hourly/Non-exempt - relief
Effective Date: July 2010

The Indiana Benefit Information Network liaison [BIN] is a professional trained to support individuals with disabilities by helping them understand benefit programs, work incentives and employment.

By providing benefits and work incentives information the benefits liaison helps vocational rehabilitation consumers who are interested in pursuing employment or who are already working, learn how to plan for greater financial independence.

In collaboration with the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community, the Social Security Administration, the Indiana Medicaid Infrastructure Grant, the Indiana Works - Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Projects, the BIN liaison supports the employment and work incentive outcomes of beneficiaries.

Work activity is highly technical, detailed and analytical in nature. Work must be accurate. Good math skills are a necessity.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The BIN liaison will:
  • Work in conjunction with employment service providers and the Indiana Works Community Work Incentive coordinators who provide WIPA service to beneficiaries
  • Support individuals with disabilities by compiling a comprehensive profile of their employment goals, their work experience and potential work incentives available to them
  • Compile and verify all benefit information gathered on the customer and develop a strategic plan for benefits management and support
    • This strategic plan gives individuals information and guidance on how to navigate their benefit programs as they progress on their journey toward employment and greater financial independence.
  • Provide accurate and up to date information about work incentives and state and federal benefits to Vocational Rehabilitation services customers and their families
  • Maintain a working knowledge and understanding of the Social Security Administration’s Disability and Return To Work programs and Work Incentive provision as prescribed in the Social Security Act and Ticket To Work and Work Incentive Improvement Act of 1999, as well as, other federal benefit programs
  • Remain familiar with Supported Employment Services, network within the various systems, gather information and implement and track benefits information
  • Maintain a working knowledge of the following state and federal work incentives:
    • Section 1619b: SSI and Medicaid coverage
    • Blind Work Expense – BWE
    • Extended Period of Eligibility – EPE
    • Expedited Reinstatement of benefits – EXR
    • Extended Medicare coverage
    • HUD: Earned Income Disregard
    • Impairment Related Work Expenses [IRE] for SSDI
    • Impairment Related Work Expenses [IRE] for SSI
    • Plan for Achieving Self Support – PASS
    • Property essential to self support
    • Self Employment and Supplemental Security Income [SSI] Work Incentive
    • Self Employment and Social Security Insurance [SSDI] Work Incentive
    • Student Earned Income Exclusion
    • Subsidies or special conditions
    • Trial Work Period – TWP
    • How your SSI payment changes with your earnings
    • Med Works factsheet from Indiana Medicaid
    • Social Security Red Book: A Guide To Work Incentives
    • Changes in the law could make people eligible for extra help in 2010 – A Social Security fact sheet on Medicare Prescription Drug Plan costs
  • Collaborate with Vocational Rehabilitation, Indiana Works Community Work Incentives coordinators, and the Social Security Administration to identify work incentives for beneficiaries and ensure follow through on the recommendation made for work incentives supports
  • Increase the investment of providers regarding the impact of work incentives and employment support as they support beneficiaries throughout the employment process
  • Ensure work incentives are supported over time with beneficiaries to ensure customers are maximizing work incentive supports and reaching their employment potential
  • With the consumer, project their level of earnings anticipated and assess their ability to work to their fullest potential.
  • If possible, check correspondence that the beneficiary has from Social Security Administration, Medicaid, or other benefit programs

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or Social Work preferred.
• At least one (1) year experience in a social service setting.
• Knowledge of subsidized housing, food stamps, and/or TAN programs.
• Written and oral communication skills, English usage and interpersonal skills.
• Will be required to use personal transportation in work capacity and transport clients.
• Utilizes flexible scheduling to meet client needs including evenings, weekends and holidays.
• Ability to meet deadlines and work independently.

• Maintains current American Red Cross CPR and First Aid certification
• Complete Benefits Analysis training provided by the State of Indiana and subsequent update and refresher training and maintains certification.
  

While performing the duties of the job, the employee is regularly required to communicate in person or by telephone. The employee must be able to travel to client locations. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, bend; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects and reach with hands and arms. The employee occasionally must sit. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.

Work is performed in community and home sites and in the office. Some work will be completed at the employee’s home. Stress can result from conflicting priorities, limited back-up coverage and having to work flexible schedule.

• Completion of tuberculin screening no later than three days prior to the first day of employment and annually thereafter.
• Completion of pre-employment drug screening and completion of post-employment drug or alcohol tests upon reasonable suspicion of use.
• Completion of center-wide orientation and ALL required paperwork prior to reporting for work.
• Attendance at all mandatory staff development and training.
• Successful completion of a six month on the job orientation period.
• Participation in payroll electronic deposit.
• Adherence to Compliance Program Plan
• Satisfactory reference and background investigation checks.
• Demonstrate computer literacy through successful completion of pre-employment testing.

Job descriptions are not intended, and should not be construed, to be exhaustive lists of all responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions associated with a job. They are meant to be accurate reflections of the principle job elements essential for making fair pay decisions about jobs.

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