Are you looking to make a difference in people’s lives? Do you want to learn and grow professionally while experiencing meaningful work?

Join our community mental health and wellness program and help people achieve success every day. Envision is a premier provider of recovery based mental health services in the Chicago Metropolitan Area. We inspire hope, inspiration and resiliency to hundreds of people each year.

General Functions:

The Benefits Specialist is a member of the interdisciplinary team working with clients who have been recently discharged from short-or-long term care facilities. Some clients may present with co-occurring physical, developmental and/or substance abuse issues. The benefits specialists will assess client’s entitlement needs and eligibility and aid in application process. Benefits Specialist will maintain a case load of no less than 10 clients.

Key Responsibilities:

· Complete Outreach, Access and Recovery (SOAR) training within 40 days of hire and maintain knowledge of best practices.

· Conduct basic evaluation of client’s eligibility for Entitlements.

· Facilitate the transfer of benefits and entitlements within 5 days of transition into the community

· Assist with application process for Medicaid, Medicare, SSI/SSDI, SNAP

· Link cards and other available entitlements through the on-line benefits check-list process when appropriate.

· Take clients to external locations such as Public Aid office to apply for benefits.

· Assist clients with Medicaid Spenddown Requirements and facilitate completion of all necessary paperwork and supporting activities to establish the spenddown deductible prior to the Class Member moving from the NF/SMHRF/IMD.

· Track and monitor progress of applications to ensure clients are approved and receive benefits

· In the event the number of Class Members in on caseload drops below the threshold of 7-10 cases and there are not existing Class Members in need of SSS services, the SSS will be used to perform other functions/duties (non-Medicaid billable) related to transitioning Class Members from SMHRF/NF, including but not limited to providing assistance with Housing Search, purchasing household items, and assisting with actual transition and apartment set up.

· Provide information to internal departments and external provider agencies as requested to coordinate and assure the appropriateness of housing and community services.

· Participate in a funder driven Statewide learning collaborative

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s Degree in social work, counseling, psychology or related field from an accredited institution of higher learning. Three years of experience working within social service field, including internships. Must have knowledge and experience managing client entitlements. Experience with clients with serious

mental illness a plus. Must be able to work with diverse populations with multi-faceted needs. Excellent written and oral communication skills needed, with demonstrated ability to engage clients. Efficient computer literacy skills and ability to utilize Microsoft Office.

Must be 21 years of age or older, be able to pass a background check and have a Valid driver’s license, with insured automobile to travel to multiple locations required.

ABOUT ENVISION UNLIMITED:

Envision Unlimited is a large, non-profit agency with locations across the Chicago Metropolitan Areas. We have decades of experience working with clients who experience developmental disabilities or severe, and persistent mental health challenges. We provide psychiatry, outpatient mental health, residential and day treatment within our mental health division.

Envision Unlimited offers competitive salaries and a generous benefit package to our professionals:

Flexible Schedule

Work at home Options

Blue Cross/Blue Shield Medical Coverage: HMO, PPO

Dental and Vision Insurance Options

Company paid Life Insurance

12 Paid Holidays + Birthday Off

Paid vacation, sick time and personal days

403B plan

In house training and CEU’s

Employee Assistance Network

Support for pursuing clinical licensure (financial and time off)

Opportunity for career growth & development