Position Summary

The Benefits Specialist helps members enrolled in Alium Health’s SMI services access and maintain public benefits that support health, nutrition, income, and stability. This position screens members for potential AHCCCS and other benefit needs, assists with SNAP and related applications or renewals, gathers verification documents, tracks application activity, and coordinates follow-up with members, case managers, and community agencies. The specialist helps members navigate benefit systems but does not determine eligibility, provide legal advice, or guarantee approval.

Essential Responsibilities

• Meet with members to assess current health coverage, food assistance, income supports, and other benefit needs, including barriers that may affect access or continued eligibility.
• Screen members for potential AHCCCS coverage needs and other public-benefit programs using approved questions, tools, and current program guidance.
• Assist members with completing and submitting AHCCCS and SNAP applications, renewals, and required follow-up within the specialist’s training and scope.
• Support applications or referrals for other benefit programs and community resources when indicated, including income, nutrition, utility, transportation, disability, and related assistance.
• Educate members about application steps, verification requirements, interview expectations, renewal dates, reporting responsibilities, and common causes of delay or closure.
• Help members gather identification, proof of residence, household information, income verification, benefit letters, medical documentation, and other required supporting materials.
• Review applications and supporting documents for completeness before submission and assist members with correcting missing or inconsistent information.
• Obtain required releases of information and coordinate with benefit agencies, authorized representatives, guardians, case managers, providers, and community partners.
• Assist members with creating or accessing approved online benefit accounts, uploading documents, checking application status, and responding to requests for information when authorized.
• Prepare members for benefit interviews and help them understand agency notices, deadlines, approvals, closures, and requests for additional information.
• Track applications, renewals, verification requests, interviews, deadlines, approvals, denials, and unresolved items through completion or appropriate handoff.
• Conduct timely outreach regarding appointments, missing documents, application status, renewal deadlines, scheduled interviews, and other required follow-up.
• Refer members to qualified legal resources, Social Security assistance, advocacy organizations, or specialized agencies when an appeal, disability determination, or issue exceeds the position’s role or expertise.
• Clearly communicate that eligibility and benefit decisions are made by the responsible agency and cannot be guaranteed by Alium Health.
• Document screenings, member contacts, outreach attempts, applications, renewals, referrals, coordination activities, outcomes, and unresolved needs in the electronic health record within required timeframes.
• Provide case managers and the interdisciplinary care team with clear updates regarding progress, barriers, deadlines, approvals, denials, and recommended next steps.
• Collaborate with the Clinical Coordinator and case management team to prioritize urgent benefit needs and support coordinated service planning.
• Maintain member confidentiality and follow HIPAA, organizational policies, payer requirements, and applicable federal and state standards.
• Participate in team meetings, training, quality-improvement activities, and chart reviews, and perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; associate or bachelor’s degree in behavioral health, social work, psychology, human services, or a related field preferred.
• Experience in behavioral health, benefits coordination, eligibility assistance, case management, care coordination, social services, or a related setting preferred.
• Ability to engage individuals living with serious mental illness using professional, respectful, and recovery-oriented communication.
• Knowledge of AHCCCS, SNAP, public-benefit programs, renewal requirements, and application processes preferred.
• Strong organization, follow-through, documentation, data-entry, problem-solving, and time-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple applications, appointments, deadlines, referrals, and outstanding documentation items while maintaining accuracy.
• Working knowledge of electronic health records and Microsoft 365 applications, or the ability to learn required systems.
• Ability to work collaboratively across clinical, administrative, and community-based teams.
• Ability to meet any required background, fingerprint clearance, driving, and credentialing standards applicable to the position.

Core Competencies

• Member engagement and rapport building
• Person-centered and trauma-informed service delivery
• Accurate and timely clinical documentation
• Benefits screening and application assistance
• Public-benefit navigation and resource coordination
• Advocacy, barrier resolution, and persistent follow-through
• Professional communication and teamwork
• Confidentiality, sound judgment, and attention to detail
• Adaptability and effective response to changing program priorities

Working Conditions

Work is performed in clinic, office, and community settings and may require travel between Alium Health locations and community agencies. The employee must be able to use a computer and telephone for extended periods, communicate effectively with members and agency representatives, manage confidential records, and perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Alium Health provides equal employment opportunities to qualified applicants and employees and does not discriminate on the basis of any status protected by applicable law. Reasonable accommodations may be available to qualified individuals with disabilities.