Public Benefits Coordinator

Pay Range: $27.00 - 31.00 /hr

Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Office Location: 1400 W Greenleaf Ave, Chicago, IL 60626
Hybrid: 3 days in office; 2 days remote

Trilogy is seeking a dedicated and compassionate Public Benefits Coordinator to support Medicaid and SNAP benefits enrollment and retention. This role is essential as work requirements for public benefits program are being rolled out across Illinois.

The Public Benefits Coordinator will work directly with clients who are impacted by work requirements, maintain strong understanding of changes related to public benefits, work closely with teams throughout the agency to provide education and consultation on client needs, and engage with external partners to support benefits retention.

This position plays a key role in monitoring and reporting metrics and outcomes related to benefits retention. The Public Benefits Coordinator will deliver and support services that are client-centered, strengths-based, trauma-informed, and guided by a harm reduction approach—particularly for individuals with severe mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders.

Responsibilities

Benefits Screening & Enrollment

• Conduct benefits eligibility assessments for clients.
• Assist clients with initial applications, renewals, redeterminations, and appeals for public benefits programs, with a focus on Medicaid and SNAP.
• Help clients gather required documentation and complete necessary forms for initial applications, redeterminations, meeting work requirements or establishing exemptions.

Benefits Retention

• Maintain a caseload of clients subject to additional Medicaid requirements such as 6 month redeterminations and work requirements. Monitor upcoming renewal deadlines for caseload and proactively support clients through renewal processes, either directly or in collaboration with the client’s primary team.
• Support the identification of new or existing clients at risk of losing benefits due to new reporting, work, verification, or eligibility requirements.
• Develop individualized action plans to help clients maintain coverage and services, including developing and maintaining relationships with work and volunteer programs, and clinicians within the organization that will support exemption documentation.
• Support clients with transitions between benefit programs when eligibility changes occur.

Client Advocacy & Support

• Serve as a liaison between clients and state, federal, and local benefits agencies in order to address complex situations or issues that arise for clients in obtaining or maintaining benefits.
• Assist clients in resolving eligibility issues, denials, terminations, or administrative barriers.
• Support clients in filing appeals and fair hearing requests when appropriate.

Education

• Develop and deliver educational materials targeted at clients and staff regarding benefits changes and renewal requirements.
• Facilitate group education sessions and benefits workshops.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of federal, state, and local benefits programs.
• Educate clinical staff on supporting clients in obtaining and maintaining Medicaid and SNAP benefits and evolving benefit requirements policies.

Documentation and Reporting

• Maintain accurate records of client interactions and outcomes.
• Track applications, renewals, approvals, denials, and appeals.
• Prepare reports on benefits navigation activities and outcomes.
• Ability to utilize EHR and other systems used for benefits retention such as Availity

Collaboration

• Work closely with clinical staff on clients’ teams to support obtaining and maintaining benefits, including documenting exemption from work requirements. In some cases, clinical staff may be working directly with clients under the direction of the Benefits Navigator.
• Collaborate with relevant Trilogy services and support teams (such as Revenue Cycle Management, Policy, Supportive Employment Program, and others) to support established[SF5.1][JM5.2] workflows on benefits retention
• Collaborate with external partner agencies that maintain volunteer opportunities that will meet Medicaid and SNAP work requirements.
• Participate in multidisciplinary care team meetings.

Other Duties

• Maintain prior authorization, documentation, and ensure charting is in compliance with MCOs, Medicaid, state specific accreditation, and organization standards.
• Perform other job-related duties and/or projects as assigned.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED
• Minimum one year of experience working with people with mental health and/or substance abuse diagnoses
• Skilled in the delivery of services to clients, ability to work within our structure, accept supervision and work constructively with others
• Valid Illinois driver’s license with daily access to a well-maintained vehicle with $100,000/$300,000 liability insurance
• Excellent organization skills and proficient use of Microsoft Excel

Benefits

• FREE Virtual Primary Care, Urgent Care, and Mental Health Counseling for ALL Employees
• PAID Maternity/Paternity leave
• Medical Insurance (BCBS of IL)
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term & Short-Term Disability
• Pet Insurance
• FSA (Health, Dependent Care, Transit)
• Telemedicine
• EAP
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with Employer Match

Licenses & Certifications

Required

• Car Insurance
• DL

Equal Opportunity Employer
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