Emergency Financial Assistant

Overview

Catholic Charities of Buffalo is seeking a parttime Emergency Financial Assistant serves as a mobile worker supporting individuals and families across Allegany County by responding to emergency basicneeds situations and helping clients navigate the 1115 Waiver Program. The role includes providing services at scheduled times in our Wellsville office and in the community particularly in areas with limited resources or where clients face barriers such as disability age or lack of transportation. The worker also delivers assistance at mobile locations such as community hubs and provider fairs offering immediate support sharing information about Catholic Charities services mapping local resources and collaborating with community partners. Additional duties include conducting screenings and intake assessments for clients seeking Emergency Assistance by phone or email and providing coverage for EA staff at other sites as needed. With training through the FLIPPA region the worker helps clients pursue longerterm financial stability rather than onetime aid.

This part-time position works 17.5 hours per week Monday Thursday and Friday.

Catholic Charities is non-profit human services agency that strives to empower individuals children and families across the eight counties of Western New York. For more than 100 years Catholic Charities of Buffalo has provided HOPE to individuals and families of all faiths backgrounds and circumstances. As the most comprehensive provider of human services in Western New York Catholic Charities delivers wide-ranging programs to address systemic poverty sudden financial crisis hunger behavioral health workforce readiness family stability legal immigration and resettlement and help for older adults. As a trauma-informed agency we strive to support the total wellbeing of clients and employees. Catholic Charities prioritizes wellness and diversity through various committees such as: CARE (Compassion Acceptance Respect for Everyone) Committee to create an inclusive environment where every individual feels seen heard and valued; Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) Committee to lead agency efforts in creating and maintaining a trauma-informed workplace; Wellbeing Committee to empower staff to reach their full potential through personal wellness and community support; and the Safety Committee to maintain a physically and psychologically safe and welcoming environment for all.

Job Responsibilities

• Provide professional and compassionate case management by accurately assessing client needs engaging in problemsolving conversations supporting selfresolution when possible and offering immediate assistance or referrals when needed (by phone email or in person).

• Document all client interactions in FLIPPA or the Case Management system tracking each contact by geographic area and presenting need.

• Provide empathetic culturally respectful screenings for social determinants of health whether by phone virtually or in person.

• Process daily screens and referral intakes including client calls documentation and insurance or eligibility verification.

• Receive prioritize and triage screenings and referrals that require connection to communitybased services.

• Manage incoming referrals to ensure timely and successful linkages between clients and appropriate service providers.

• Document progress actions taken and all referral activity in the WNY Integrated Care IT platform as required.

• Conduct inhome assessments for community members.

• Maintain clear and supportive communication with clients and referral partners to ensure referrals are accepted completed or redirected when necessary.

• Handle client questions and concerns with excellent customer service empathy and patience.

• Participate in the WNY Integrated Care Screening/Navigation Workgroup.

• Provide excellent customer service across all interactions-phone in person and email.

• Use WNY Integrated Care social care technology and transportation platforms to support client needs.

• Seek opportunities to simplify and enhance the client experience.

• Follow all policies and procedures related to HIPAA and federal/state/local regulations including Fraud Waste and Abuse requirements.

• Verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States as required by federal law.

• Maintain and continually update a comprehensive list of community resources and service providers related to basic needs in Cattaraugus and Allegany Counties.

• Participate in local coalitions and contribute to collaborative community efforts.

• Develop strong working knowledge of FEMA TANF SNAP HEAP SSI/SSD and other benefit programs to screen and enroll clients at any location.

• Assist with general office operations including answering and returning calls copying faxing preparing documents supporting staff and building safety billing data entry case management and other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate degree in Social Work Mental Health Counseling Gerontology or a related field required; Bachelors degree preferred.

• Minimum of two years experience connecting clients with communitybased services.

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work respectfully with diverse populations including individuals experiencing poverty homelessness severe mental illness or trauma. Able to manage challenging behaviors with empathy and professionalism.

• Experience in care coordination care management communitybased services or as a Community Health Worker.

• Background in community healthcare public health nonprofit or related settings.

• Highly detailoriented with excellent organizational and multitasking abilities.

• Knowledge of HIPAA regulations and ability to maintain confidentiality in compliance with all privacy requirements.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills including the ability to explain program guidelines and complex information clearly.

• Strong criticalthinking and interviewing skills with the ability to ask insightful questions to understand client needs and identify appropriate supports.

• Knowledge of social work principles traumainformed care solutionfocused problemsolving and cultural humility strongly preferred.

• Familiarity with community resources social service systems and human service providers in Cattaraugus and Allegany Counties preferred.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word Excel Outlook) and comfort using electronic platforms databases and casemanagement systems.

• Strong timemanagement skills with the ability to work independently and collaboratively.

• Must possess a valid drivers license and reliable transportation.

What We Offer

• 17.5 hours per week

• 13 paid holidays

• 25 PTO days per year (Pro-rated based on first year start date)

• Employer-paid Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• 403b Retirement Plan (Eligible after first pay period) with employer contribution after six months

Applicant must reside in New York State to be considered.

Compensation range may vary based on factors including but not limited to skills education location and experience.

Apply today at: an Equal Opportunity Employer Catholic Charities of Buffalo is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of race religion color national origin citizenship sex sexual orientation gender identity age veteran status disability genetic information or any other protected characteristic. Catholic Charities of Buffalo will make reasonable accommodations for known physical or mental limitations of otherwise qualified employees and applicants with disabilities unless such accommodations would impose an undue hardship on the operation of the business. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process please contact .

Required Experience:

Junior IC