Starting Rate: $25 per hour
POSITION SUMMARY
The Rep Payee/Housing Coordinator is responsible for overseeing benefits, entitlements, and personal funds on behalf of individuals served, including Social Security benefits. This role provides person-centered support that promotes each individual’s goals, needs, and interests while ensuring services are delivered with quality, continuity, and consistency. The Rep Payee/Housing Coordinator also facilitates access to and ongoing management of programs such as Social Security, housing subsidy/assistance, Medicaid, SNAP, HEAP, Representative Payee services, and other benefit or entitlement resources, with a focus on fostering independence and informed decision-making.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Representative Payee & Financial Management
- Serve as Representative Payee for assigned individuals in accordance with Social Security Administration regulations.
- Manage Social Security, SSI, SSDI, SSP, and other benefit funds on behalf of individuals receiving Representative Payee services.
- Maintain accurate accounting of all income, expenditures, balances, and financial transactions.
- Process bill payments including rent, utilities, medical expenses, personal needs allowances, and other approved expenditures.
- Complete and monitor ABLE account deposits and transfers.
- Manage True Link debit card funding and transactions.
- Ensure individuals have timely access to personal spending funds while maintaining appropriate financial safeguards.
- Prepare and maintain records required for SSA reporting and Agency audits.
- Educate individuals regarding Representative Payee services, monthly fees, budgeting, and financial responsibilities.
- Provide individualized budgeting assistance and financial education to promote independence.
Benefits & Entitlement Coordination
- Assist individuals in applying for, maintaining, and renewing public benefits and entitlements.
- Complete and submit Medicaid applications and annual Medicaid recertification’s.
- Complete SNAP/Food Stamp applications and recertification’s.
- Complete HEAP applications and annual renewals, as needed.
- Monitor eligibility for SSI, SSDI, SSP, Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP, and other public benefits.
- Report required changes in income, resources, living arrangements, or household composition to SSA, Medicaid, and other benefit agencies.
- Track benefit renewal deadlines and ensure all applications and recertification’s are submitted timely to prevent interruptions in services.
- Maintain accurate benefit documentation and communicate eligibility changes to appropriate staff.
Housing Coordination
- Coordinate all aspects of housing subsidy programs, including OPWDD Individual Supports and Services (ISS) Housing Subsidy funding.
- Complete housing subsidy applications, annual recertification’s, participation agreements, budgets, quality assurance documentation, and all required supporting documentation.
- Monitor subsidy eligibility and ensure uninterrupted funding.
- Participate in monthly required meetings with OPWDD housing subsidy representatives.
- Coordinate transition stipends and other housing-related financial supports.
- Assist individuals in securing and maintaining safe, affordable housing.
- Serve as liaison between individuals, landlords, property managers, Care Coordinators, OPWDD, and other community partners.
- Advocate on behalf of individuals regarding housing issues, lease requirements, and housing stability.
- Prepare, renew, distribute, and obtain signatures for annual leases for Agency-managed apartments.
- Conduct apartment inspections, as needed to make sure the apartment meets safety standards for the housing subsidy
- Coordinate rental payments and ensure timely payment of housing-related expenses.
Care Coordination & Collaboration
- Collaborate with Care Coordinators, Finance Department staff, Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), Community Habilitation staff, and other interdisciplinary team members.
- Communicate benefit, housing, and financial updates to appropriate staff.
- Assess individual needs and recommend additional financial, housing, or community resources.
- Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with community agencies and benefit providers.
- Participate in person-centered planning meetings as requested.
Intake & Enrollment
- Participate in intake meetings for individuals requesting Representative Payee, benefits coordination, or housing services.
- Conduct financial assessments for prospective Representative Payee participants.
- Complete required documentation to establish Agency Representative Payee services with SSA.
- Coordinate establishment of Representative Payee bank accounts, True Link accounts, and financial records.
- Complete required OPWDD CHOICES enrollment and termination documentation.
- Establish and maintain complete financial and benefit records for each individual served.
Compliance & Documentation
- Maintain confidential financial, housing, and benefit records in accordance with Agency policies and applicable regulations.
- Ensure compliance with SSA Representative Payee regulations, OPWDD requirements, Medicaid guidelines, and Agency policies.
- Monitor deadlines for benefit renewals, housing recertification, and required reporting.
- Prepare reports, documentation, and records for audits and regulatory reviews.
- Maintain accurate electronic and paper documentation.
SUCCESS FACTORS:
The Rep Payee/Housing Coordinator is expected to consistently demonstrate the following core competencies in the delivery and oversight of services:
Accountability & Dependability - Maintains accurate financial records, benefit documentation, and service coordination activities while ensuring individuals receive timely access to funds and supports.
Communication - Communicates effectively with individuals served, families, staff, Care Coordinators, OPWDD representatives, landlords, and community partners to ensure continuity of services.
Planning & Organizing -Coordinates housing subsidies, benefits programs, admissions, documentation, and case management activities while meeting required deadlines.
Leadership - Provides guidance and direction to staff while supporting quality service delivery, operational consistency, and person-centered practices.
Fiscal Accountability- Safeguards individual funds, manages representative payee responsibilities, monitors payments, and ensures accurate financial recordkeeping.
Problem Solving- Identifies barriers to housing, benefits access, and service coordination and develops practical solutions that support individual outcomes.
Enforcing Laws, Rules & Regulations- Ensures compliance with Social Security, Medicaid Waiver requirements, OPWDD regulations, housing subsidy requirements, and agency policies.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Human Services, Social Work, Finance, Accounting, or a related field.
- Two (2) years of full-time, paid direct service experience working with individuals with disabilities.
- One (1) year of experience providing representative payee services, benefits counseling/management, and/or housing supports.
Minimum Qualifications
- Associate's degree in Human Services, Social Work, Finance, Accounting, or a related field.
- Three (3) years of full-time, paid direct service experience working with individuals with disabilities.
Additional Requirements
- Willingness to obtain Work Incentive Practitioner (WIP-C) credentials within one (1) year of employment.
- Valid New York State driver's license in good standing.
- Reliable transportation to fulfill job responsibilities.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
