Benefits Advocate

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive advocacy for housing stability, income supports, benefits access, and healthcare navigation
• Support eviction prevention and housing stabilization, including rental assistance and supportive housing applications
• Assist clients in accessing and maintaining public benefits such as SNAP, cash assistance, SSI/SSDI, and Medicaid
• Help clients apply for federal disability benefits using the SOAR (SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery) model
• Review and analyze medical records to prepare comprehensive disability applications and write SOAR Medical Summary Reports
• Maintain accurate and organized client records in physical and electronic databases
• Perform outreach and collaborate with community partners to identify and support clients
• Accompany clients to Social Security Administration and medical appointments
• Conduct home and community visits to provide direct client engagement

Requirements

• Bachelor of Social Work or an equivalent degree
• 3-4 years of relevant experience
• Experience navigating government public benefits systems (e.g., HRA, SSA, Medicaid, SNAP)
• Experience working within a client-centered, trauma-informed, and harm reduction framework
• Strong writing, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to manage numerous long-term cases with varying needs and deadlines
• Commitment to anti-oppressive, anti-racist, and social justice work

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with the SOAR model
• Proficiency in Spanish

Benefits

• Annual salary ranging from $61,083.34 – $62,610.43
• Excellent benefits package

About the Company

The Urban Justice Center (UJC) Mental Health Project (MHP) is a team of attorneys, social workers, advocates, and peer specialists dedicated to disrupting the cycle of hospitalization, homelessness, and incarceration for New Yorkers living with serious mental health concerns.