Also called: Eligibility Worker, Benefits Specialist
Determines whether people qualify for programs like SNAP, Medicaid, and cash assistance.
Interviews applicants by phone or in person, checks pay stubs and documents, and enters decisions into a state computer system. Handles a steady flow of cases with strict deadlines.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
High school diploma, about 0 years after high school. High school diploma or some college plus agency training.
Ways in: On-the-job training, 2-year college. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Public Administration, Human Services.
Growing slowly (about 0% over 10 years). Approximate; automation of eligibility rules limits growth.
Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. Online applications and AI document checks decide more cases automatically, so states need fewer interviewers.
Age 18+. One way to start: Apply to your county or state human services department for eligibility worker openings First: Civil-service application and background check, often a few weeks
Classes: Computer applications, Government, Spanish.
Official data: O*NET occupation 43-4061.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.