Payee Representative

Job Description

The Freestore Foodbank is hiring! We are currently searching for a full-time Payee Representative at our Customer Connection Center location!

Job Description Summary

Provides supportive financial services to stabilize lives for customers, homeless persons, children, and substance abusers.

Create monthly budget; pay current bills timely, if applicable save any benefits for customers. Provides direct support to customers and ensures that benefits are used to meet customers' current basic needs (i.e. food, clothing, housing, medical care, and personal comfort items). Sustains direct contact with outside agencies and services to assist with community resources. Maintains and monitors all relevant client correspondence from Social Security and other relevant agencies. Ensure agency compliance with representative payee laws and guidelines by preparing reports required & preparing for the annual audit, entering all required data into the FSFB Data Systems.

Interface and serve as an advocate for customers (e.g., Social Security Administration, Health Care Systems/Providers, and Housing Authority, landlords, utility companies, and various creditors) on behalf of the customer. Refers customers to other internal services as well as external case management and community resources services, as needed.

Educates customers regarding self-care; assists customers to complete & process eligibility forms and encourage their attendance in scheduled appointments to obtain additional income, medical cards, food stamps, apartments, and other entitlements. Works closely with customers to meet their holistic needs; educate customers on budgeting practices, effective decision-making skills to support physical and emotional safety.

Offer excellent customer services to the people we serve. Attend and actively participate in; department, division, and agency, educational & mandatory trainings/meetings as offered/required. Participate in meetings that will ensure comprehensive services to customers. Other responsibilities appropriate to the position and duties as requested by the Manager of Financial Services.

Additional Responsibilities

Collaborate with other departments within the agency as needed.

Qualifications

Education: Associate's Degree or equivalent experience with 1 to 2-year billing or other related financial experience; previous experience in Social Services preferred.

Experience: Experience working with the customer population that has physical disabilities, mental health diagnoses, and/or substance dependence. Experience providing basic needs assessments provide referrals and resources.

Skills & Abilities: Able to exercise sound judgment, use of de-escalation skills and the ability to problem-solve a variety of situations; Experience in data entry and is proficient in all Microsoft software (Outlook, Word, Excel). Able to learn the Freestore Foodbank’s data systems; able to work cooperatively to achieve department, division, and agency goals and objectives. Good oral and written communication skills; good interpersonal skills requiring judgment and tact to communicate effectively with customers demonstrating a range of emotional behaviors.

Direct Reports

Not applicable

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Standing: Up to 1/3 of the time

Walking: Up to 1/3 of the time

Sitting: 2/3 of the time or more

Talking: 2/3 of the time or more

Hearing: None

Reaching: None

Lifting Frequency: None

Weight: up to 10 lbs

Work Environment

Interaction with the general public. Potential for high-risk clientele including mental illness and substance abuse-related behaviors.

Company Description

Freestore Foodbank is one of Ohio’s largest food banks. We distribute 34 million meals annually through a network of 600 community partners serving 20 counties in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Our mission is to provide food and services, create stability, and further self-reliance for people in crisis.