Caseworker (Employment & Income Support)

The Role

Receives public inquiries and applications from clients and community agencies. Determines and authorizes social assistance (e.g., financial, employment, discretionary benefits, emergency assistance), and supports clients to achieve their goals through developing participation and employment plans (with employment referrals), with a focus on improved quality of life.  

Duties/Responsibilities

• Determines clients’ initial and ongoing financial eligibility/ineligibility based on established legislation/criteria, and notifies clients regarding same. Informs clients regarding documentation requirements, next steps, and answers questions regarding eligibility.
• Schedules clients for appointments or delegates scheduling to support staff.
• Assesses, determines needs, and issues discretionary benefits for disability support (ODSP) clients and non-social assistance recipients with extraordinary needs. Coordinates requests with ODSP office, service providers, and vendors.
• Authorizes benefits and interim assistance based on social benefits tribunal orders.
• Uses the “quality of life framework” to facilitate/support clients to develop individual employment plans and outcome plans to assist in accessing needed resources and meeting Ontario Works (OW) or ODSP participation requirements. Meets with clients ongoing regarding same. Informs/instructs clients in employment planning, and explains career planning, customized training, and job search strategies to clients with varying levels of understanding and barriers to employment. Assesses client needs, skills, and barriers to employment and initiates and supports clients through referrals to internal and local community supports. Contacts third parties to make referrals, advocate, and access services for clients. Shares program information and concerns regarding client needs with community outreach workers. 
• Provides support to ODSP pending clients. Assists to obtain information to support applications to ODSP. Advocates with medical professionals within timelines. 
• Supports clients to follow through on participation and education requirements; verifies information through third parties; and imposes sanctions for non-compliance. 
• Works with other community/government agencies to obtain/verify information and determine eligibility for underage clients.
• Reviews priority files prompted by provincial database to ensure clients are in receipt of correct OW assistance.
• Maintains client information in databases. Reviews system-calculated eligibility to ensure accuracy and reviews computer-generated reports. Performs manual calculations as required. Analyzes third party reports against client activity in databases to calculate eligibility.
• Calculates and documents changes on active and closed files; authorizes pay adjustments and updates database to fix overpayments and arrears. Notifies clients regarding outcomes, responds to inquiries, and advises regarding appeal processes. Maintains electronic and hard copy client files.  
• Provides and receives information to/from other municipalities regarding fraud referrals, file transfers, and OW overpayments incurred while in Waterloo Region, as requested.
• Participates in the internal review process. Attends court when subpoenaed to present evidence. Problem solves/advocates for exceptional needs and circumstances that do not qualify for OW.
• Calculates, approves, and issues OW assistance, and issues mandatory and discretionary benefits, based on established guidelines.
• Responds to community emergencies, per prescribed role in the departmental emergency response protocol.
• Issues funds for emergency assistance and eviction prevention programs.
• Provides backup coverage and support to peers, as assigned.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of interviewing techniques, assessment approaches, and casework management, acquired through a university degree or 2-year college diploma in a related field, plus 2 years of related experience (paid or volunteer) in a social services or community setting.
• Knowledge of and ability to work according to established policies and procedures, legislation, and federal and provincial programs (e.g., Ontario Works, privacy, Service Canada, human rights, immigration, Ontario Disability Support Program, employment standards, Canada Pension Plan, employment insurance benefits, WSIB, Education Act).
• Knowledge of local resources and employment assistance available through delivery agents, and make referrals.
• Ability to investigate, gather, and assess facts and apply OW eligibility rules and participation requirements to make appropriate OW eligibility decisions. Ability to meet or exceed service targets.
• Knowledge of job search skills and strategies to develop employment and outcome plans and make employment referrals with clients. Ability to identify clients' skills and barriers to employment and successfully match clients with programs to support employment. 
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and protect client privacy.
• Communication and human relations skills (using coaching, motivating techniques) to develop trusting relationships with clients; de-escalate situations with clients who may be in crisis; support clients to develop participation agreements and motivate/persuade/coach to pursue employment and stabilization resources and supports; explain the program (directly or through interpreters) to applicants/clients to ensure their understanding; interview applicants/clients to gather information; communicate participation agreement requirements and local support services; advocate for clients; explain consequence of non-compliance; and participate as an effective team member. 
• Ability to provide written and verbal explanations to clients regarding changes to OW assistance and compliance.  Ability to use information from clients and internal and external contacts to develop effective outcome plans. Ability to develop and maintain factual, concise, and objective notes. 
• Computer skills with ability to use software such as provincial and corporate databases, and Microsoft Office. Ability to keep knowledge and skills current (e.g., policy, procedures, legislation, training). 
• Ability to travel within Waterloo Region.
• Must provide an acceptable Police Vulnerable Sector Check (level 3).
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.