Public Welfare Financial Worker


Program Overview

 

The Public Welfare Financial Worker (PWFW) program can be summarzied in the following ways:

  -- trains people who have an interest in helping families in times of financial crisis
  -- often the first in line of defense against poverty
  -- involves extensive client contact and calls on strong interpersonal skills
  -- prepares students through course work on Public Assistance policy, the Maxis computer system, communication skills, and how
      to determine eligibility for many federal and state services. 
  -- approved by the Minnesota Department of Human Services and by the National Eligibility Workers Association.

 

This program is also available at Anoka and St. Cloud Technical Colleges. 

 

 

 --  For more information, also view the PWFW instructor website.  

  

Video Overview and Tour

 

       
  

  

Program Plan

 

Diploma - 41 credits

ENGL 1276 College Composition  (4)
SPCH 1270 Introduction to Speech  (3) OR PHIL 1270 Critical Thinking Skills  (3)
SOCI 1225 Human Diversity  (3)
HUMS 1230 Managing Family Cases  (4)
HUMS 1231 HC Policy for Families  (4)
HUMS 1233 Work Support Programs  (3)
HUMS 1241 HC Policy for Adults  (4)
HUMS 1242 Managing Cash Cases  (4)
HUMS 1290 Financial Worker Internship  (6)
ASCP 1231 Business Math  (3)
COCP 1201 Microsoft OS Basics  (2)
PTCG 1225 Job Seeking  (1)

 

A.A.S. Degree - 21 additional credits

SPCH 1270 Introduction to Speech  (3) OR PHIL 1270 Critical Thinking Skills  (3)
General Education Electives  (18)
 

 

Click here for a printable version of the program plan. 

  

Career and Employment Information

 

Job Outlook

While the number of families receiving cash assistance has dropped dramatically since welfare reform began in the mid 1990's, there has not been a decrease in the number of workers. Welfare reform requires frequent interaction with the clients and increased documentation, thus the number of cases a worker manages is reduced. Government benefits interviewers deal with many other programs that were not affected by welfare reform. There is a continued need for these workers, with most openings being a result of promotion or retirement.


Earnings

According to the Occupational Employment Statistics program, Governement Benefits Interviewers make an average of $19.86 per hour in Minnesota. For more detailed information on this career field, click here.

  

Cost of Program


The cost of the program is $144.71 per credit.


Diploma: 41 credits  =  $5,933.11*  

A.A.S. Degree: 62 credits  =  $8,972.02* 


*A laptop computer is required for the PWFW program.