Cash Assistance Benefit Specialist

LOCATION: HFNYC’s Bronx Offices and at community partner agencies across NYC  

DESCRIPTION: 

Hunger Free New York City (HFNYC), a division of Hunger Free America, strives to build a nonpartisan, grassroots movement to enact the policies and programs needed to end hunger in New York City and ensure that all New Yorkers have sufficient access to nutritious food. 

A significant aspect of HFNYC’s work is to connect eligible residents to Federal Benefits Programs. HFNYC is looking to expand its services to include Cash Assistance Benefits with the goal of assisting potentially eligible clients throughout the application process. The receipt of Cash Benefits for eligible individuals and families helps reduce financial strain on households, freeing up income for other pressing needs.   

• The Cash Assistance Specialist (“the Specialist”) will provide in-person Cash benefit eligibility screenings and application assistance.
• The Specialist will be primarily working from our satellite offices in the Bronx and at community partner organizations across NYC. 

• The ideal candidate will also assist in connecting clients to other programs such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), Medicaid, Tax Credits, Fair Fares, Home Energy Assistance (HEAP), home meal delivery programs, and referrals to food pantries and soup kitchens.
• The Specialist will also attend community events to perform outreach and screenings, as well as conduct presentations on SNAP and other nutrition benefits.   

• The Cash Assistance Benefit Specialist must also conduct follow-up to ensure that applicants receive the correct amount of monthly benefits in a timely manner and help to resolve cases in which this has not occurred.
• All work must be entered into a database to track client progress. 

• Experience in anti-hunger/nutrition benefits screening (esp. for Cash Assistance and SNAP); working in low-income communities.   

• High-energy self-starter with strong communications, problem solving, organizing, and inter-personal skills, and a demonstrated commitment to fighting poverty and hunger.   

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is preferred, although people with significant, relevant, work experience will be considered.   

• Proficiency using Microsoft Office programs like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint  

• Knowledge of Salesforce is preferred, but not required.  

• Proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking Spanish is preferred. 

HOW TO APPLY: 

Submit a resume and cover letter. Applications not containing both a resume and a cover letter will not be reviewed.  

HFNYC is an equal opportunity employer. People of diverse races, sexual orientations, ages, faiths, economic and social backgrounds, genders, physical abilities, and national origins are strongly encouraged to apply.