Office & Administrative Support
Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs
Also called: Benefits Program Tech (Benefits Program Technician), Business and Employment Specialist, Case Manager, Eligibility Examiner
US median pay
$54,210
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+1.6%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
12,700
162,800 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 3/5 · Medium preparation
What this job is
Determine eligibility of persons applying to receive assistance from government programs and agency resources, such as welfare, unemployment benefits, social security, and public housing.
What they do day to day
- Compute and authorize amounts of assistance for programs, such as grants, monetary payments, and food stamps.
- Keep records of assigned cases, and prepare required reports.
- Compile, record, and evaluate personal and financial data to verify completeness and accuracy, and to determine eligibility status.
- Interview and investigate applicants for public assistance to gather information pertinent to their applications.
- Interview benefits recipients at specified intervals to certify their eligibility for continuing benefits.
- Interpret and explain information such as eligibility requirements, application details, payment methods, and applicants' legal rights.
- Initiate procedures to grant, modify, deny, or terminate assistance, or refer applicants to other agencies for assistance.
- Check with employers or other references to verify answers and obtain further information.
- Answer applicants' questions about benefits and claim procedures.
- Provide social workers with pertinent information gathered during applicant interviews.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Social Perceptiveness3.8/5
- Service Orientation3.6/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.2/5
- Coordination3.1/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.1/5
- Time Management3.0/5
- Negotiation3.0/5
- Persuasion2.9/5
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service4.9/5
- English Language4.4/5
- Administration and Management3.8/5
- Administrative3.8/5
- Personnel and Human Resources3.5/5
- Education and Training3.4/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 3 of 5 — Medium preparation. Usually vocational training, an associate's degree or an apprenticeship.
Typical entry education (BLS): High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma26%
- Bachelor's degree24%
- Associate's degree24%
Who this job suits
Mostly Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Social
Helping, teaching and caring for people
Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.