Since 1979, the Portland community has trusted Central City Concern (CCC) to help people create meaningful, long-term change. Every year, we serve more than 13,000 people experiencing or at risk of homelessness with affordable and supportive housing, person-centered health care, addiction recovery and employment assistance. By providing health care, housing and jobs, CCC is ending homelessness in Portland and helping people achieve their highest potential.

CCC’s BEST is seeking a Benefits and Entitlement Specialist to join our team!

Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 4:30pm.

Benefits & Entitlement Specialist assists clients with the acquisition of Social Security benefits (SSI/SSDI). This includes meeting with clients, obtaining and reviewing medical records and lay evidence, and filing Social Security claims using the Social Security Administration’s on-line application system.

The Successful Candidate:

You are a skilled relationship-builder with the ability to engage with a wide variety of different people, including the general public and dually diagnosed clients. You are eager to connect with and promote program and services to the community, and feel passionately about supporting people to limit barriers.

Duties to Include:

• Screen clients for potential eligibility for disability SSI/SSDI benefits.
• File clients Social Security Disability (SSD) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) applications and appeals accurately and timely.
• Establish a list of case needs for disability claimants.
• Obtain all pertinent medical records and lay evidence for review and submission to the legal record.
• Research applicable rules and regulations
• Research medical and psychiatric conditions, symptoms and medications, as well as their impact on functioning.
• Interview claimants for medical and functional summary reports.
• Provide outreach and transportation assistance to disabled clients experiencing homelessness and mental illness.
• Attend disability related appointments with doctors and the Social Security Administration offices.
• Communicate with medical providers and case managers.
• Maintain statistical spreadsheets and progress notes.
• Remain up-to-date with changes in Social Security Disability benefits.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in medical field, mental health, or social sciences or a Associates Degree and 2 years of work experience in a relevant field.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.
• Must have experience in case management or advocating for clients.
• Computer literacy.
• If a recovering chemically dependent person must be in a program of recovery and able to provide documentation of sobriety a minimum of one year.

• Ability to adhere to Central City Concern’s drug-free workplace which encourages a safe, healthy and productive work environment and strictly complies with the Drug-Free Work Place Ace of 1988. An employee shall not, in the workplace, unlawfully manufacture, distribute, dispense, possess or use a controlled substance or alcohol.

• Must pass pre-employment drug screen, TB test, and background check.
• Must be able to occasionally lift items of approximately 25 pounds.
• Must possess a current driver’s license, qualify as an Acceptable Driver as designated in Central City Concern’s Fleet Safety policy. Must pass an initial drivers’ training within 60 days of being an approved driver and continued recertification training. If driving personal vehicle, must maintain vehicle insurance coverage of a minimum of $100,000/$300,000 personal auto liability coverage.

Central City Concern offers an incredible benefits package to our employees!

• Generous paid time off plan beginning at 4 weeks per year at the time of hire. Accrual increases with longevity.
• Amazing 403(b) Retirement Savings plan with an employer match of 4.25% in your 1styear, 6% in the 2nd year, and 8% in your 3rd year!
• 10 paid Holidays PLUS 2 Personal Holidays to be used at the employee’s discretion.
• Comprehensive Medical, Vision, and Dental insurance coverage.
• Employer Paid Life, Short Term Disability, AND Long Term Disability Insurance!
• Sabbatical Program offering extended time off at years 7, 14 and 21.

Central City Concern is a second chance employer and complies with applicable laws regarding consideration of criminal background for employment purposes. Government regulations, contractual requirements, or the duties of this particular job may require CCC to conduct a background check and take appropriate action to address prior criminal convictions.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)