Benefits Enrollment Social Work Internship

Reports to: Assigned Field Instructor

FLSA Status: Internship

Dedicate yourself to an Organization and Mission you can be proud of by joining the Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging!

Our Mission:

We provide choices for people to live independently in the place they want to call home.

About Us:

Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging (WRAAA) is a private non-profit corporation, organized and designated by the State of Ohio to be the planning, coordinating and administrative agency for federal and state aging programs in Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain and Medina Counties. It is one of twelve Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) in the state organized together with local service provider organizations and the Ohio Department of Aging (ODA) to form the state's public aging services network. The network works together to create opportunities for older Ohioan's to receive needed home and community services and supports; and to age successfully in their own homes and communities.

Candidates we love…

• Self-motivated and compassionate professionals looking to be part of a Best-in Class organization
• Team players who are committed to providing superior service to all they serve
• Enthusiastic professionals excited to grow with an organization that values dedication, innovation and collaboration.

Position Summary: The Benefits Enrollment Social Work Intern gains supervised experience helping older adults and people with disabilities understand and pursue public benefits and community resources. The placement emphasizes client engagement, benefit screening, application support, documentation, follow-up, advocacy, outreach and service coordination.

Job Duties:

Client Engagement and Benefit Screening

• Observe and assist with in-person, telephone or virtual client conversations.
• Help gather information about household composition, income and resources, current benefits, documentation needs and barriers.
• Assist with comprehensive benefit screenings and identification of programs for which a client may qualify.
• Explain general program information and next steps using accessible, respectful language, with supervisor guidance.

Application and Documentation Support

• Help clients organize identification, residency, income, resource, medical and other required documents.
• Assist with applications, renewals and follow-up items for SNAP, Medicaid, Medicare Savings Programs, energy assistance and community resources.
• Track submission dates, outstanding documentation, case status and next steps.
• Support supervisor-directed follow-up involving delays, denials, missing information, resubmissions or referrals.

Referral Coordination and Client Advocacy

• Identify additional needs and locate appropriate internal or community resources.
• Support referrals and closed-loop follow-up to determine whether services were accessed.
• Help clients prepare questions and information for interactions with public agencies or community organizations.
• Promote client choice, dignity, informed decision-making and access to available supports.

Outreach and Community Education

• Assist with outreach events, educational activities and distribution of approved program information.
• Help prepare benefit-enrollment resources, checklists and referral materials.
• Collaborate professionally with internal teams and community partners.
• Participate in occasional approved evening or weekend outreach activities when included in the learning plan.

Documentation, Quality and Program Support

• Draft contact records, screening information, follow-up notes and other documentation for supervisor review.
• Enter and validate information in approved systems based on assigned access.
• Maintain organized records and protect confidential information.
• Assist with data tracking, resource-library updates, workflow review, quality assurance and process-improvement projects.

Supervision and Educational Support

• Regular supervision with a designated supervisor, including assignment review, documentation review, ethical consultation and professional development.
• Orientation to agency policies, confidentiality, safety, documentation standards, technology and program expectations.
• Opportunities for observation, guided practice, case discussion, interdisciplinary learning and progressive responsibility.
• Coordination with the educational institution regarding the learning agreement, evaluations, required hours and field education expectations.
• Immediate consultation with a supervisor for client safety concerns, suspected abuse or neglect, privacy concerns, urgent needs or ethical issues.