DSHS DDA Public Benefits Specialist 4

About the role

Behind every application is someone waiting for services as part of a person-centered planning process, identifying what is important to help people live the lives they want. As a Public Benefits Specialist 4 with DSHS's Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA), you'll help make those services possible. You'll talk with people with developmental disabilities and their families or representatives, review their income and assets, and use state and federal rules to decide who qualifies for Medicaid and other benefits. Your decisions cover health coverage, long-term care, and food benefits.

Many of the people you serve depend on long-term care to stay safe and healthy. That care may include personal care, home and community-based services, residential and institutional settings, or hospice. A case manager first helps a person determine what types of services they need. Your work confirms whether Medicaid can pay for it and when benefits can start. Each decision affects daily life for our clients. A correct decision means a person can begin care, leave the hospital with support in place, or keep food on the table. Many people rely on a family member, guardian, or attorney to help them through the process, so patience and clear answers matter. This work supports the department's mission to help people access support, care, and resources.

We're excited to offer multiple full-time opportunities on our team: permanent, non-permanent, and project-based jobs. The project positions, although temporary, are benefit-eligible and are expected to be funded through June 30, 2027.

Responsibilities

• Decide who qualifies for long-term care programs, such as in-home personal care, home and community services, hospice, residential habilitation centers, nursing facility care, and Healthcare for Workers with Disabilities.
• Interview clients, family members, guardians, and attorneys by phone.
• Gather and calculate income and assets to decide eligibility for health coverage, long-term care, and food benefits.
• Figure out how much a person must pay each month toward the cost of their care.
• Review legal and financial papers, such as trusts, annuities, deeds, insurance policies, burial funds, and court orders.
• Search a statewide property database to see how a sale or transfer of property affects eligibility.
• Act quickly on urgent cases, such as hospital discharges, facility closures, and urgent food needs.
• Update cases when a person's circumstances change, and send required notices to clients, representatives, case managers, and care facilities.
• Partner with case managers to set the date benefits begin.
• Find and correct payment errors, set up overpayments or underpayments, and respond to case audits.
• Answer questions from social workers, medical providers, and guardians, and refer people to Social Security, Veterans Affairs, or community resources.
• Arrange interpreters, translated forms, and accommodation plans so everyone can access services.
• Report concerns to Adult or Child Protective Services or fraud investigators when required.
• Testify at administrative hearings when someone disagrees with a decision.
• Use several state computer systems to research, record, and update cases while protecting confidential information.

Requirements

Must have successfully completed the agency's Public Benefits Specialist Training Program, or have similar out-of-state training.

And either:

• A bachelor's degree or master's degree AND twelve months of experience as a Public Benefits Specialist 3.
• OR a bachelor's degree or higher AND twelve months of experience as a Public Benefits Specialist 2 determining eligibility for long-term care services.

Equivalent education/experience totaling at least five years: Experience examining/processing loan applications, medical insurance or rehabilitation claims, unemployment insurance claims, or a job providing staff support in financial eligibility determination, or in a job analyzing, verifying, and evaluating financial data and information, will substitute year for year for education and experience. Out-of-state experience conducting financial eligibility determination for public assistance (including financial, medical, and food stamp benefit programs) will be considered toward experience.

Skills

• Analysis: Reviews complex legal and financial documents and applies eligibility rules to each person's situation.
• Accuracy: Checks numbers, records, and verifications so each decision and benefit amount is correct.
• Communication: Explains rules and next steps in plain words, both in writing and by phone.
• Interviewing: Asks clear questions to gather the facts needed, including when working with an interpreter or with people who have disabilities.
• Customer service: Shows patience and care with every caller and calms tense situations.
• Organization: Manages work assigned, sets priorities, and meets program deadlines.
• Judgment: Makes sound decisions independently and knows when to ask for guidance.
• Collaboration: Builds working relationships with case managers, care facilities, providers, guardians, authorized representatives, attorneys, and other agencies.
• Equity and cultural competence: Respects the cultures, languages, and life experiences of the people we serve and works to remove barriers to services.

Benefits

• Project positions are benefit-eligible (expected funding through June 30, 2027).
• Hybrid telework schedule with in-person workdays determined by business needs.
• Flexibility in choosing an office location within the region.

Schedule

Full-time, hybrid telework. In-office training and travel may be required as business needs arise.

Job reference number: 08659