The Bridge - Benefits Coordinator - Residential Services at The Bridge

The Bridge offers supportive housing and behavioral health services to vulnerable New Yorkers facing behavioral health and substance use challenges. We provide individuals with the tools they need to pursue their dreams and live meaningful lives. The Bridge envisions a world where adults experiencing serious mental illness can live and thrive within their communities. As a recognized leader in developing and operating supportive housing and community-based programs, The Bridge has 70 years of experience helping New Yorkers with mental illness, including those affected by homelessness, incarceration, and institutionalization.   

Scope of Position: The Benefits Coordinator role is essential in training and supporting supportive housing staff and clients in accessing various benefits, including Public Assistance (SNAP), Social Security, and Medicaid certifications. This Benefits Coordinator position involves guiding staff on navigating benefit systems such as Access HRA and Social Security portals, while also assisting clients on-site during new admissions and program openings. The Benefits Coordinator will ensure continuity of benefits by facilitating outreach to clients’ previous providers and will work across multiple program locations, traveling to benefit agency offices in the Bronx, Manhattan, and Brooklyn. Responsibilities also include attending staff meetings, presenting trainings, obtaining SOAR certification, utilizing the Online Application Tracking (OAT) system, and training staff on Social Security benefit applications, along with any additional duties as assigned. 

Essential Position Functions:  

• Train, assist, and support supportive housing staff and clients with benefits, including but not limited to Public Assistance, SNAP (Food Stamps), Social Security, and Medicaid/insurance certifications, as well as appeals of benefits.
• Train staff on navigating benefit systems, including Access HRA, AWARDS (electronic health record system), and Social Security portals.
• Assist staff and clients on-site with new admissions, program openings, and outreach to clients’ previous providers to ensure continuity of benefits during transitions.
• Work from various program locations and travel to local benefit agency offices in the Bronx, Manhattan, and Brooklyn.
• Attend and present at staff meetings, supervision sessions, and trainings as required.
• Be certified in SOAR, utilize the Online Application Tracking (OAT) system, and train staff on Social Security benefit applications.
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned.

• Bachelor’s Degree required.
• At least 2 years of experience working with individuals with histories of homelessness and behavioral health diagnoses
• Preferred knowledge of AWARDS, CAIRS, Social Security, and NY State and City benefits and systems.
• Willingness to travel regularly throughout Brooklyn, Bronx, and Manhattan via public transportation.
• Bilingual Spanish is highly desired.

The Bridge Inc. is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer