BURIAL SERVICE CASE WORKER

APPLICANTS MUST PERMANENT IN CASEWORKER CIVIL SERVICE TITLE OR BE PERMANENT IN A COMPARABLE TITLE ELIGIBLE FOR 6.1.9 TITLE CHANGE

The Supportive Programs and Initiatives (SPI) office oversees the Office of Burial Services (OBS): Office of Burial Services provides support and where eligible financial assistance to survivors next of kin legally responsible relatives friends or other designated entities of deceased indigent or unclaimed persons.

OBS connects those who require information about the disposal of decedent remains through public burial or access to public burial to appropriate assistance through the Department of Social Services General Support Services. It handles determinations of financial responsibility regarding burial of NYC decedents who passed away in health facilities outside of the five boroughs. This office processes more than 2000 applications per year.

Under the supervision with latitude for independent action the Burial Services Case Worker performs responsible work in the preparation of information and documents to process burial claims public burial facilitation and veteran burial reimbursement claims. The caseworker will determine eligibility for burial allowance claims in a timely manner and prepare and submit payment transmittals for funeral contractors claims to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and maintain records of burial records and payments in the agencys computer database.

Office of Burial Services is recruiting for one (1) Caseworker to function as a Burial Services Case Worker who will:

-Interview applicants to obtain information and documents necessary to determine eligibility for a burial allowance public burial or Veteran burial allowance reimbursement. Conducts interviews in-person at the Office of Burial Services and offsite to homebound seniors physically disabled or those applicants unable to visit the office in need of assistance to complete the burial services application. Reviews applicant forms and supporting documents f r completeness and accuracy obtaining additional necessary information by asking applicant questions.

-Evaluate applicants responses on application form and during application interview to determine the decedents/legally responsible relatives past maintenance income expenses assts resources and ascertains what additional information /documentation is required to establish applicants eligibility for burial allowance public burial or Veteran burial allowance reimbursement.

-Perform WMS/RFI clearances to verify decedents /legally responsible relatives receipt of PA MA SSI Social Security (OASDI) and to determine decedents/legally responsible relatives employment record receipt of veteran benefits unemployment insurance benefits and ownership of bank accounts or other assets. Verifies decedent Veterans military status with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for burial reimbursement claims. Verifies next of kin or legally responsible relative information obtained from the Office of Chief Medical Examiner and other city agencies.

-Interpret legal and financial documents submitted by applicants such as death certificates paystubs income tax returns W2 forms real property deeds leases life insurance policies court orders bank statements institution patient account transcripts utility and rent receipts and other financial statements to determine decedents legally responsible relatives and maintenance income expenses assets and resources.

-Interpret application and interview responses documentation WMS and other clearance results information on death certificates and information obtained through collateral contracts to obtain a social profile of decedent. Computes financial status of decedents /legally responsible relatives by obtaining appropriate documented figures and performing calculations as part of the eligibility determination process.

-Generate eligibility determination letters authorization for payment forms as appropriate. Issues initial and follow up letters requesting submission of necessary documents/information. Responds to written and phone inquiries from applicants and interested third parties.

-Data enter information obtained in Burial Assistance Information Tracking System (BAITS) database. Closes cases on BAITS by updating all relevant screens and data entering the appropriate edibility code. Maintains public burial records in other agency databases. Makes closing entry on history sheet. Assembles case record folder in accordance with guidelines. Makes appropriate entry on history sheet and completes standardized forms used for record keeping and statistical purposes.

-Initiate collateral contacts and generated clearances for purpose of obtaining and verifying information necessary to determine eligibility for a burial allowance. Collateral contacts include contacts with hospitals nursing homes homeless shelters child welfare agencies adult protective services drug rehab programs unions past employers banks and other agency representative to ascertain the decedents social history past maintenance income assets and any mitigating factors which would clarify whether decedent/legally responsible relative was indigent at time of death and this impact on case decision regarding applicants eligibility for burial allowance public burial or Veteran burial allowance reimbursement.

-Recommend and determine eligibility for burial allowance by identifying decedents and legally responsible relatives levels of income assets and/or resources past maintenance biographical and social informant and data and determining whether all documentation is complete and funeral home documents follow the applicable regulations.

-Identify and make referrals to other sources of burial benefits (Dept of Veteran Affairs Social Security Administration Victim Services etc.) when appropriate. Ensure appropriate documentation is received and recorded and that information is effectively and timely communicated between applicants and vendors for public burials at Hart Island and other NYC locations. Assists funeral directors in applying for lump sum death benefits from Dept of Veterans Affairs and monitors case determination decisions from Dept of Veterans Affairs regarding lump sum death benefits.


Hours/Schedule: 8:30AM 5:30PM

CASEWORKER - 52304

Qualifications :

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university accredited by regional national professional or specialized agencies recognized as accrediting bodies by the U.S. Secretary of Education and by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

Additional Information: Section 424-a of the New York State Social Services Law requires an authorized agency to inquire whether a candidate for employment with child-care responsibilities is or has been the subject of an indicated child abuse and maltreatment report on file with the State Central Register for child abuse and maltreatment. State Central Register screening will be conducted prior to considering a candidate for employment as a Caseworker. Candidates who have been the subject of an indicated child abuse and maltreatment report will not be assigned to any position which requires child-care responsibilities. Employees who have been the subject of such a report may be reassigned or terminated from employment from their positions as Caseworker.

Additional Information :

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic including but not limited to an individuals sex race color ethnicity national origin age religion disability sexual orientation veteran status gender identity or pregnancy.

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time