New Narrative
Housing and Benefits Specialist (32918)
New Narrative, Portland, Oregon, United States, 97204
Description
The Housing and Benefits Specialist supports adults diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) as part of a multidisciplinary team delivering comprehensive, person-centered care through outpatient mental health services. This role helps participants access and maintain public benefits — including Social Security, food stamps SNAP, payee services, and health insurance — and assists those who are unhoused or precariously housed in securing safe, appropriate housing. The Specialist also helps participants obtain housing vouchers, serves as the primary contact for ongoing voucher support, and leads a Rent Well group to teach essential skills for finding and maintaining housing. This position collaborates closely with the participant’s care team and provides individualized, hands-on support, including help with applications, appointment coordination, and follow-up care. Accountabilities
Responsibilities of the job Assist participants with the application process for benefits such as Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP, and other entitlement programs Transporting and accompanying individuals to agencies Serve as a liaison between participants and Representative Payee and other agencies that manage benefits to help resolve issues, track applications, and ensure continued eligibility Regularly follow up with participants to ensure benefits are maintained, including assistance with recertification, appeals, and updating personal information. Provide clear and compassionate explanations of benefits options and requirements to participants, helping them understand eligibility criteria and the steps needed to secure benefits Stay up to date with changes in local, state, and federal benefits policies and programs and ensure that participants are informed of any changes that may affect their benefits or housing Assist participants with other needs related to financial stability and access to health care, as determined by the individual’s goals and care plan Housing Support
Aiding individuals in obtaining identification and other critical/necessary documents for housing and benefits related issues Coordinate appointments and provide in-person and remote support to participants during interviews, assessments, and other housing (inspections, move-ins) and benefit-related meetings Assist participants who are unhoused or precariously housed in finding appropriate housing options, including temporary, transitional, and permanent housing Support participants in applying for housing programs, including low-income housing, supportive housing, and Section 8 housing vouchers Serve as the primary contact for participants with housing vouchers, offering ongoing assistance and ensuring they meet the necessary requirements to maintain their housing Collaborate with landlords, housing authorities, and other agencies to advocate for participants and address any housing-related issues Conduct housing assessments to identify participants’ needs and preferences, ensuring individualized housing plans. Advocate on behalf of participants in navigating complex systems including issues related to discrimination, evictions, and habitability and securing the resources they need to thrive Host a Rent Well Group for participants, offering education on tenant rights and responsibilities, budgeting for housing, maintaining positive landlord relationships, and other key skills needed to secure and maintain housing Manage New Narrative’s housing information in multiple databases including HMIS, HSRN, and PowerBI Administrative
Collaborate with the multidisciplinary care team to develop individualized support plans that address the housing and benefits needs of each participant Document participant interactions, benefit statuses, and progress in obtaining or maintaining benefits in an organized and timely manner Assist with the day-to-day functions of the clinic as necessary, including providing front desk support, dispensing medications, providing UDS, staffing coverage and other tasks as needed Sharing expertise and resources in team meetings Other General Expectations
Attend and positively participate in required meetings, including ITBC meetings and care coordination meetings with LMPS to support collaboration and efficiency Adhere to any applicable ethics codes and New Narrative’s mission and values Maintain chart compliance in regulation with State and County policy, including documentation of services within 72 hours of service completion Follow all New Narrative policies, procedures, and protocols Adhere to regular work schedule as set by direct supervisor Follow through on all directives and instructions Maintain current Oregon Driver’s License Maintain CPR and First Aid Certificate Pursue ongoing development of skills and competencies, including the required recertification trainings: Demonstrate effective organizational and time management skills All other duties as assigned Core Competencies
Communication: Direct and concise. Keeps people informed. Listens effectively to others Teamwork: Effective at working in team situations Initiative/Results Orientation: Originates action. Finds ways to get things done Quality: Promotes continuous improvement. Effectively utilizes data Individual Responsiveness: Responds well to internal or external individual needs Analytical Thinking: Attention to detail over sustained periods of time and ability to analyze data and recognize trends Dependability: Counted on to follow through on commitments; at work each day and on time; work completed in a timely fashion Independence: Receives no instruction on routine work; with general instruction on new assignments Feedback orientated: Demonstrates, engages, and promotes regular forms of feedback from program participants, New Narrative staff, and colleagues Aptitude: Ability to comprehend and apply new ideas, processes, procedures, or training Organizational Awareness: Understands the culture of the organization; interests and concerns of various groups Sensitive Information: Exposure to highly confidential information. Must maintain the highest level of discretion at all times Motivate: On-going ability to motivate others and remain consistently enthusiastic, New Narrative mission conscious and values driven with participant focused and trauma informed lens Demeanor: Remaining calm in a crisis, empathetic, unbiased and excellent interpretation skills Positions Reporting: None Education/Certificates/Licenses/Registration
QMHA qualification or ability to obtain through a bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, or 3 years relevant field experience, or a combination of the two Experience/Qualifications
Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple participants and track a variety of benefit-related tasks Strong communication and advocacy skills, with the ability to explain complex benefit programs in a clear and supportive manner Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team, coordinating with clinicians, case managers, and other service providers Ability to be flexible and adaptive in meeting the unique and changing needs of participants Excellent customer service skills and ability to be in the community for long stretches of time with participants. Valid driver’s license and ability to assist participants in accessing appointments and resources, as needed Preferred Qualifications
Prior experience in social services or benefits coordination, especially with vulnerable populations Understanding of federal, state, and local public benefits programs, including Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, and SNAP Experience working with individuals with severe and persistent mental illness, particularly in benefits coordination Knowledge of the application process for Social Security benefits, Medicaid, Medicare, and other government assistance programs Previous experience in housing services, case management, or advocacy for individuals experiencing homelessness or housing instability Impact
New Narrative outpatient operations are an essential part of New Narrative’s overall continuum of service and support. As a member of the ITBC team, the Housing and Benefits Specialist will help to ensure best practices, positive outcomes, and quality of services.
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The Housing and Benefits Specialist supports adults diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) as part of a multidisciplinary team delivering comprehensive, person-centered care through outpatient mental health services. This role helps participants access and maintain public benefits — including Social Security, food stamps SNAP, payee services, and health insurance — and assists those who are unhoused or precariously housed in securing safe, appropriate housing. The Specialist also helps participants obtain housing vouchers, serves as the primary contact for ongoing voucher support, and leads a Rent Well group to teach essential skills for finding and maintaining housing. This position collaborates closely with the participant’s care team and provides individualized, hands-on support, including help with applications, appointment coordination, and follow-up care. Accountabilities
Responsibilities of the job Assist participants with the application process for benefits such as Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP, and other entitlement programs Transporting and accompanying individuals to agencies Serve as a liaison between participants and Representative Payee and other agencies that manage benefits to help resolve issues, track applications, and ensure continued eligibility Regularly follow up with participants to ensure benefits are maintained, including assistance with recertification, appeals, and updating personal information. Provide clear and compassionate explanations of benefits options and requirements to participants, helping them understand eligibility criteria and the steps needed to secure benefits Stay up to date with changes in local, state, and federal benefits policies and programs and ensure that participants are informed of any changes that may affect their benefits or housing Assist participants with other needs related to financial stability and access to health care, as determined by the individual’s goals and care plan Housing Support
Aiding individuals in obtaining identification and other critical/necessary documents for housing and benefits related issues Coordinate appointments and provide in-person and remote support to participants during interviews, assessments, and other housing (inspections, move-ins) and benefit-related meetings Assist participants who are unhoused or precariously housed in finding appropriate housing options, including temporary, transitional, and permanent housing Support participants in applying for housing programs, including low-income housing, supportive housing, and Section 8 housing vouchers Serve as the primary contact for participants with housing vouchers, offering ongoing assistance and ensuring they meet the necessary requirements to maintain their housing Collaborate with landlords, housing authorities, and other agencies to advocate for participants and address any housing-related issues Conduct housing assessments to identify participants’ needs and preferences, ensuring individualized housing plans. Advocate on behalf of participants in navigating complex systems including issues related to discrimination, evictions, and habitability and securing the resources they need to thrive Host a Rent Well Group for participants, offering education on tenant rights and responsibilities, budgeting for housing, maintaining positive landlord relationships, and other key skills needed to secure and maintain housing Manage New Narrative’s housing information in multiple databases including HMIS, HSRN, and PowerBI Administrative
Collaborate with the multidisciplinary care team to develop individualized support plans that address the housing and benefits needs of each participant Document participant interactions, benefit statuses, and progress in obtaining or maintaining benefits in an organized and timely manner Assist with the day-to-day functions of the clinic as necessary, including providing front desk support, dispensing medications, providing UDS, staffing coverage and other tasks as needed Sharing expertise and resources in team meetings Other General Expectations
Attend and positively participate in required meetings, including ITBC meetings and care coordination meetings with LMPS to support collaboration and efficiency Adhere to any applicable ethics codes and New Narrative’s mission and values Maintain chart compliance in regulation with State and County policy, including documentation of services within 72 hours of service completion Follow all New Narrative policies, procedures, and protocols Adhere to regular work schedule as set by direct supervisor Follow through on all directives and instructions Maintain current Oregon Driver’s License Maintain CPR and First Aid Certificate Pursue ongoing development of skills and competencies, including the required recertification trainings: Demonstrate effective organizational and time management skills All other duties as assigned Core Competencies
Communication: Direct and concise. Keeps people informed. Listens effectively to others Teamwork: Effective at working in team situations Initiative/Results Orientation: Originates action. Finds ways to get things done Quality: Promotes continuous improvement. Effectively utilizes data Individual Responsiveness: Responds well to internal or external individual needs Analytical Thinking: Attention to detail over sustained periods of time and ability to analyze data and recognize trends Dependability: Counted on to follow through on commitments; at work each day and on time; work completed in a timely fashion Independence: Receives no instruction on routine work; with general instruction on new assignments Feedback orientated: Demonstrates, engages, and promotes regular forms of feedback from program participants, New Narrative staff, and colleagues Aptitude: Ability to comprehend and apply new ideas, processes, procedures, or training Organizational Awareness: Understands the culture of the organization; interests and concerns of various groups Sensitive Information: Exposure to highly confidential information. Must maintain the highest level of discretion at all times Motivate: On-going ability to motivate others and remain consistently enthusiastic, New Narrative mission conscious and values driven with participant focused and trauma informed lens Demeanor: Remaining calm in a crisis, empathetic, unbiased and excellent interpretation skills Positions Reporting: None Education/Certificates/Licenses/Registration
QMHA qualification or ability to obtain through a bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, or 3 years relevant field experience, or a combination of the two Experience/Qualifications
Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple participants and track a variety of benefit-related tasks Strong communication and advocacy skills, with the ability to explain complex benefit programs in a clear and supportive manner Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team, coordinating with clinicians, case managers, and other service providers Ability to be flexible and adaptive in meeting the unique and changing needs of participants Excellent customer service skills and ability to be in the community for long stretches of time with participants. Valid driver’s license and ability to assist participants in accessing appointments and resources, as needed Preferred Qualifications
Prior experience in social services or benefits coordination, especially with vulnerable populations Understanding of federal, state, and local public benefits programs, including Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, and SNAP Experience working with individuals with severe and persistent mental illness, particularly in benefits coordination Knowledge of the application process for Social Security benefits, Medicaid, Medicare, and other government assistance programs Previous experience in housing services, case management, or advocacy for individuals experiencing homelessness or housing instability Impact
New Narrative outpatient operations are an essential part of New Narrative’s overall continuum of service and support. As a member of the ITBC team, the Housing and Benefits Specialist will help to ensure best practices, positive outcomes, and quality of services.
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