Benefits Coordinator
Commonpoint
- Pay
- $55K to $70K
- a year
- Location
- Elmhurst, NY
- Work style
- On-site
- Job type
- Full time
- Posted
- Oct 22
- 2 days ago
Career path
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About the company
Commonpoint
E-learning · 2 to 10 employees
ABOUT COMMONPOINT: At Commonpoint, community is at the heart of everything we do. With more than 90 program sites and flagship locations in Little Neck, Bayside, Forest Hills, the Bronx, East Elmhurst, and Jamaica, we proudly serve over 125,000 individuals each year. From early childhood to older adulthood, we support people from all walks of life on their journeys from crisis to stability and empowerment. Our wide range of programs, spanning social services, education, and recreation, reflects our mission to build a more connected, inclusive, and thriving community for all.
What you'll do
- Provide benefits coordination and participant support to adults ages 18 and older enrolled in Commonpoint’s ABAWD program at the Bronx and Elmhurst locations.
- Conduct initial screenings, intakes, and needs assessments to identify benefits concerns, immediate needs, and barriers to program participation.
- Assist participants with benefits applications, renewals, submission of supporting documents, and follow-up with appropriate agencies.
- Help participants understand benefits notices, deadlines, and applicable program requirements using current, agency-approved guidance.
- Identify potential benefits interruptions and coordinate timely follow-up with participants, program staff, and relevant agencies.
- Assist participants in connecting with appropriate resources for questions about exemptions, accommodations, or other circumstances affecting program participation.
- Coordinate referrals for food access, housing assistance, legal services, healthcare, transportation, and other supports.
- Maintain ongoing communication with participants to monitor referral outcomes and address unresolved needs.
- Provide culturally responsive, strengths-based services that support participant stability, engagement, and progress toward employment goals.
- Collaborate with Employment Coordinators to align benefits support with participants’ employment plans, training activities, and program participation.
- Help identify and address barriers that may prevent participants from attending appointments, completing required activities, or maintaining engagement.
- Conduct outreach and follow-up with participants who miss appointments or become unresponsive, following established program outreach and escalation procedures.
- Communicate unresolved benefits, concerns and participation barriers to program leadership for coordinated support.
- Assist participants with organizing and submitting documentation related to program participation, as required by applicable contracts and agency guidance.
- Support participant information sessions and workshops on benefits navigation, available resources, and program expectations.
- Coordinate services across the Bronx and Elmhurst locations to promote consistent access and continuity of support.
- Develop and maintain relationships with the Human Resources Administration (HRA), Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), legal service providers, and other relevant benefits and community organizations.
- Maintain referral relationships with service providers serving adults in the Bronx and Queens.
- Coordinate with internal Commonpoint programs and external partners to connect participants with appropriate wraparound services.
- Support outreach activities that connect eligible adults with the ABAWD program and related benefits services.
- Maintain an up-to-date resource directory for staff and participants at both locations.
- Attend provider, funder, and community meetings relevant to program operations and participant needs.
- Maintain accurate and timely participant records in Salesforce and other required reporting systems.
- Document screenings, benefits assistance, outreach attempts, referrals, participant contacts, and follow-up outcomes.
- Ensure participant files and supporting documents are complete, securely maintained, and consistent with agency policies and contractual requirements.
- Monitor assigned service targets and contribute to weekly and monthly dashboards tracking participant engagement, benefits assistance, referrals, and outcomes.
- Track outstanding participant needs and required follow-up to support timely service delivery.
- Support program reports, monitoring visits, audits, and funder requests by preparing accurate documentation.
- Stay informed about relevant benefits procedures and program updates through approved agency resources and training.
- Escalate questions about eligibility, compliance, or complex benefits matters to designated leadership or qualified agency partners.
- Use Salesforce, Microsoft Office, and Google Workspace to support service coordination, communication, and reporting.
- Associate’s degree in Social Work, Human Services, Education, Business, Communications, Psychology, Public Administration, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience may be considered. Bachelors degree preferred.
- Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish preferred
- Excellent customer service, organizational, and follow-up skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, participant needs, and documentation deadlines in a high-volume environment.
- Demonstrated cultural competency and ability to work effectively with adults from diverse backgrounds.
- Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
- Strong computer skills, including experience with Salesforce, Microsoft Office, and Google Workspace.
- Ability to handle confidential participant information with discretion.
- Ability to work at both the Bronx and Elmhurst locations and meet the required schedule, including evenings.
- Previous experience in a Commonpoint role is a plus.
- Familiarity with public benefits application processes, documentation requirements, and community referral resources.
- Experience supporting ABAWD participants or working within HRA-funded workforce or public benefits programs.
- Experience maintaining participant records and reporting data for government-funded programs.
- Participant-centered and committed to helping adults access benefits and supportive services.
- Organized and detail-oriented, with strong follow-through.
- Proactive in identifying benefits, concerns and barriers to participation.
- Comfortable tracking service targets, reviewing documentation, and maintaining accurate records.
- Collaborative and able to coordinate effectively across two locations.
- Clear and patient when explaining procedures and next steps.
- Resourceful in connecting participants with appropriate assistance.
- Committed to confidentiality, cultural responsiveness, and equitable service delivery.
- Ability to work collaboratively in team settings.
- Comfortable facilitating meetings, trainings, and team discussions.
- Committed to participant success, staff development, and high-quality service delivery.
- Tiered health, dental, and vision insurance options.
- Pension plan and 403(b) retirement savings opportunities.
- Generous paid time off and family-supportive policies.
- Professional development and education support to foster career growth.
- Recognition and appreciation programs for exemplary performance.
- Employee discounts on programs and services.
- Access to free amenities, including private seasonal pool clubs and fitness facilities at select locations.
- Long-service severance upon retirement.
What you need
- Associate’s degree in Social Work, Human Services, Education, Business, Communications, Psychology, Public Administration, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience may be considered. Bachelors degree preferred.
- Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish preferred
- Excellent customer service, organizational, and follow-up skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, participant needs, and documentation deadlines in a high-volume environment.
- Demonstrated cultural competency and ability to work effectively with adults from diverse backgrounds.
- Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
- Strong computer skills, including experience with Salesforce, Microsoft Office, and Google Workspace.
- Ability to handle confidential participant information with discretion.
- Ability to work at both the Bronx and Elmhurst locations and meet the required schedule, including evenings.
- Education: an associate degree or a bachelor's degree
Key skills
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Perks
- health, dental, and vision insurance
- Pension plan
- 403(b) retirement savings
- paid time off
- Professional development
- education support
- Employee discounts
- free amenities
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