Disability Claims Examiner Assistant (35 Hour)

Career Progression pathway within the State of Connecticut starting with Disability Claims Examiner Assistant, advancing to Disability Claims Examiner, then Disability Claims Specialist, and ending at Disability Claims Supervisor.

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING: 

Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources?  Visit our Applicant Toolkit for additional support throughout the recruitment process. 

BEFORE YOU APPLY: 

• Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.  
• Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting. 
• Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency. 
• Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift. 
• Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State.  Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov. 
• Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other. 

• Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.

AFTER YOU APPLY: 

• Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates—such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links—please check your Personal Status Board regularly.
• For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select “Update My Contact Information.”
• Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).   

• Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression! 
• Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.  
• The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.  
• Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.

QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP: 

Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Alyssa Hovanec at Alyssa.Hovanec@ct.gov. 

Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!

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;
• Skills
  • interpersonal skills;
  • oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to
  • gather, analyze, evaluate significant information pertinent to the claimant;
  • write reports;
  • relate to different cultural and economic backgrounds;
  • 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.

• 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.
• 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.
• Successful completion of a Connecticut Careers Trainee program approved by the Department of Administrative Services may be substituted for the General Experience.

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

Under Sec. 17a-799 of the Connecticut General Statutes 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 40 U.S.C. S 11331, the Federal Information Security Management Act of 2014 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.

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.