Disability Claims Examiner Assistant

The State of Connecticut, Department of Aging and Disability Services (ADS), Disability Determination Services (DDS), is recruiting for several Disability Claims Assistant Examiners. Disability Determination Services determines the medical eligibility of Connecticut residents who have applied for cash benefits under the disability programs administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). 

Disability Claims Assistant Examiners are responsible for adjudicating disability claims filed through the Social Security Administration (SSA). Responsibilities of these positions include analyzing medical evidence, evaluating vocational information, assessing technical criteria of the Social Security Administration disability program and preparing written determinations to evaluate eligibility for benefits. A Master's Degree in rehabilitation counseling, psychology, special education, social work, or related behavioral or social science is preferred.

Are you interested in joining our team as a Disability Claims Examiner Assistant? We encourage you to apply today! These positions are conveniently located in Hartford, CT. The work schedule for these positions are typically Monday - Friday, 35 hours per week.

We offer a competitive benefits package, excellent health care, generous leave policies, retirement plan, and more!  We also encourage a healthy work-life balance to all employees!

The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified. This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.  

Due to the volume of applications anticipated, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be provided through your JobAps portal account. 

Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience most closely meet the preferred requirements of the position. At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include:  a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated to apply for this position.

In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.  

Please Note: You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application for this posting to the JobAps system.

This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam. 

Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process. 

The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class. 

All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception.  Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Chelsea Moore at Chelsea.Moore@ct.gov

In the Department of Aging and Disability Services, Bureau of Disability Determination Services, this class is accountable for the determination of eligibility for Social Security disability benefits.

Performs a limited range of duties in the determination of disability benefits; evaluates and adjudicates initial, reconsiderations and childhood applications for disability filed under the Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income programs; reviews evidence and renders determinations of eligibility in accordance with Social Security Administration law, court orders, rulings, and regulations; develops and analyzes complex medical, non-medical, and vocational evidence for consistency, validity, and sufficiency; contacts claimants, physicians, hospitals, clinics, laboratories, rehabilitation facilities, attorneys and other claimant representatives to gather documentary evidence; confers with medical and other consultants to resolve complex problems; determines need for consultative examinations to obtain additional evidentiary documentation; prepares pertinent findings of fact, evaluates totality of evidence, and determines capacity of claimant to engage in substantial gainful activity; prepares written reports to document decision and issues formal determinations of eligibility; performs related duties as required.

Knowledge of disabling conditions and medical terminology; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; ability to gather, analyze, evaluate significant information pertinent to the claimant; ability in report writing; ability to relate to different cultural and economic backgrounds; ability to organize time, set priorities and manage workload using an electronic system.

Five (5) years of experience in the determination of disability within a public disability determination entity.

1. College training in rehabilitation counseling, psychology, special education, social work, or related behavioral or social science may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
2. A Master's degree in rehabilitation counseling, psychology, special education, social work, or related behavioral or social science may be substituted for the General Experience.

• Understanding of the Social Security Administration Disability Program
• Experience with medical and vocational terminology
• Experience with case management skills
• Experience dealing with caseloads
• Experience in customer service
• Preference will be given to candidates with a Master's Degree in a related field 

1. Incumbents in this class may be required to retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license or Identification Card.
2. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel with or without an accommodation.

Under Sec 17b-651a of the CGS each incumbent offered a position of employment with the Department of Aging and Disability Services, Bureau of Disability Determination Services, shall be required to submit to fingerprinting and state and national criminal history records checks as provided in section 29-17a and 404.s.c. S 11331, the Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002 and Executive Order 13467; and individuals must meet the credentialing standard of 221 of the Social Security Act.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.