Field Office - Claims Specialist

About the role

This position contributes to the Agency's mission through direct and personal service to the public. The Claims Specialist will speak with beneficiaries about their rights under the Social Security laws, gather facts and evidence to establish eligibility for benefits, make critical decisions to determine the amount of benefits paid to individuals, and use state-of-the-art computer technology to access and update information about claims.

Responsibilities

• Conduct interviews with the public to obtain, clarify, and verify information about initial and continuing eligibility for retirement, survivors, disability, health insurance benefits, and eligibility for supplemental security income including State supplements.
• Resolve discrepancies, clarify issues, and make final decisions for initial and post-entitlement for benefits and payments.
• Adjudicate and authorize entitlement or disallowance actions at all levels of difficulty and complexity under programs administered by SSA.

Qualifications

• GS-5: Three years of general experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in the federal service that demonstrates the ability to 1) review problems to identify significant factors, gather pertinent data, and recognize solutions; 2) plan and organize work; and 3) communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• GS-7: One (1) year of specialized experience at the GS-5 level (or equivalent) that demonstrates the ability to (1) assist individuals in establishing their entitlement to receive benefits (e.g., retirement, disability, public aid, insurance, taxes, etc.); (2) adjudicate, authorize or reconsider claims; (3) explain benefit (e.g., retirement, disability, public aid, insurance, taxes, etc.) entitlements or requirements to the general public; (4) evaluate benefit (e.g., retirement, disability, public aid, insurance, taxes, etc.) program operations to assess the integrity and quality; or (5) interpret benefit (e.g., retirement, disability, public aid, insurance, taxes, etc.) program requirements to formulate policies, procedures or guidelines.
• GS-9: Fifty-two weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level. Examples of specialized experience include assisting individuals in establishing their entitlement to receive benefits; adjudicating or investigating claims; or evaluating benefit programs to assess the integrity and quality of operations.

Benefits

The position offers the opportunity for annual promotion based on performance leading up to the GS-11 grade level. This is a career-ladder position within the agency.