What Do Government Programs Eligibility Interviewers Do?

Job Description: Determine eligibility of persons applying to receive assistance from government programs and agency resources, such as welfare, unemployment benefits, social security, and public housing.

Daily Life Of a Government Programs Eligibility Interviewer

• Interview and investigate applicants for public assistance to gather information pertinent to their applications.
• Provide applicants with assistance in completing application forms, such as those for job referrals or unemployment compensation claims.
• Interpret and explain information such as eligibility requirements, application details, payment methods, and applicants’ legal rights.
• Interview benefits recipients at specified intervals to certify their eligibility for continuing benefits.
• Monitor the payments of benefits throughout the duration of a claim.
• Refer applicants to job openings or to interviews with other staff, in accordance with administrative guidelines or office procedures.

Government Programs Eligibility Interviewer Required Skills

Below is a list of the skills most Government Programs Eligibility Interviewers say are important on the job.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Related Job Titles

• Program Eligibility Specialist
• Tenant Selector
• Business Employment Specialist
• Case Coordinator
• Grant Officer

Is There Job Demand for Government Programs Eligibility Interviewers?

There were about 143,100 jobs for Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs in 2016 (in the United States).

New jobs are being produced at a rate of 6% which is lower than average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 8,500 new jobs for Government Programs Eligibility Interviewers by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 13,600 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs are Texas, California, and New York.

Watch out if you plan on working in Kansas, Alaska, or Vermont. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Do Government Programs Eligibility Interviewers Make A Lot Of Money?

The salary for Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs ranges between about $31,550 and $62,180 a year. The median salary is $46,020.

How much do Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs make in each U.S. state?

Annual Mean Salary by State

State	Annual Mean Salary
District of Columbia	$62,300
Connecticut	$59,290
Iowa	$56,150
Alaska	$55,430
Rhode Island	$54,910
Massachusetts	$53,470
California	$53,200
Vermont	$53,080
Maryland	$52,530
Michigan	$52,170
Illinois	$52,090
Minnesota	$51,890
Pennsylvania	$50,570
New York	$49,440
New Jersey	$48,880
Washington	$48,790
Hawaii	$48,250
Kentucky	$47,370
North Dakota	$46,730
Colorado	$46,310
Nevada	$45,880
Utah	$45,380
Virginia	$45,300
Wisconsin	$45,020
Wyoming	$44,650
New Mexico	$44,220
Ohio	$43,860
Oklahoma	$43,240
New Hampshire	$42,630
Oregon	$42,520
Arizona	$42,240
South Carolina	$42,060
Alabama	$41,620
Texas	$41,240
Montana	$40,950
Florida	$40,910
Missouri	$40,550
Tennessee	$40,440
Idaho	$40,220
Maine	$39,520
Kansas	$38,480
North Carolina	$38,310
Georgia	$38,240
Louisiana	$38,080
Arkansas	$37,710
South Dakota	$37,170
Nebraska	$37,100
Indiana	$36,860
Delaware	$35,780
Mississippi	$32,320
West Virginia	$28,640

Tools & Technologies Used by Government Programs Eligibility Interviewers

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Government Programs Eligibility Interviewers may use on a daily basis:

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Access
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Word
• Data entry software
• Microsoft Office
• Microsoft Outlook

How to Become a Government Programs Eligibility Interviewer

Individuals working as Government Programs Eligibility Interviewers have obtained the following education levels:

How Long Does it Take to Become Government Programs Eligibility Interviewer?

Where Government Programs Eligibility Interviewers Are Employed

You May Also Be Interested In…

Those interested in being a Government Programs Eligibility Interviewer may also be interested in:

• Social and Human Service Assistants

Career changers with experience as a Government Programs Eligibility Interviewer sometimes find work in one of the following fields:

• Loan Officers
• Insurance Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics

College Factual

O*NET Online

Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons