Integrated Benefits Community Support Volunteer: Help Process Senior Enrollment

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A recent report suggests that over 5.2 million eligible older adults nationwide could be eating more nutritiously were they connected to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly "food stamps"). Many seniors served by DFTA-funded senior centers need help with accessing SNAP, Medicare Savings Program (MSP), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage Program (EPIC) and Medicare Part D, Medicare Buy-in Programs, Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption Program (SCRIE), Medicare "Extra Help", and the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP).

The Integrated Benefits program, launching in the spring of 2015, aims to significantly increase the enrollment of seniors into benefit programs with the help of volunteers stationed at DFTA-funded sites. Volunteers will be assigned to one or more senior centers in Manhattan, Queens, Bronx or Brooklyn to assist with client support and administrative duties related to the program.

If you are patient and interested in helping seniors determine their benefits eligibility, consider becoming a Community Support Volunteer. You can have an immediate and vital impact on seniors by helping them navigate potential assistance opportunities and maximize their benefits, while also providing valuable support to the participating senior center sites.

Tasks:

• Pre-screen seniors for eligibility in specific assistance/benefits programs
• Schedule and confirm enrollment appointments for seniors
• Inform seniors about required documentation needed for enrollment, and review materials on appointment day
• Manage appointment flow on enrollment days
• Help Enrollment Volunteers track program outcomes
• Coordinate with site staff to arrange space, scheduling and other logistics

Requirements:

• Possess patience and empathy for older adults
• Be detailed-oriented
• Possess basic computer skills
• Have excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to build personal connections
• Ability to comprehend and clearly explain complex information to older adults
• Ability to maintain confidentiality when dealing with clients’ personal information
• Successful completion of program support training session
• Attend a DFTA Volunteer Information Session

Skills Preferred:

• Ability to speak languages other than English is highly desired, but not required
• Prior customer service experience desired, but not required
• Positive attitude and solid conflict resolution skills

Training:

• Free, comprehensive training for qualified applicants will be provided in May and June 2015
• Be mentored by a DFTA staff person or assigned AmeriCorps manager

Time Commitment:

• Volunteers serve flexible days Monday-Friday, and flexible hours between 9:00am-4:00pm
• A minimum 2-days, 10-hours per week required
• Minimum one year commitment strongly requested
• Position starts in early June 2015