State of Connecticut Executive Branch

Disability Claims Specialist (40 Hour) (7104EQ)

$41.18-$54.26 Hourly / $3,294.14-$4,340.77 BiWeekly /
$85,977.00-$113,294.00 Yearly

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

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

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the limited supervision of a Disability Claims Supervisor or an employee of higher grade.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

May supervise employees of a lower grade.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Performs the most complex duties related to disability determination; 
  • Evaluates and adjudicates all types of 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; 
  • Reviews evidence and renders determinations for ongoing benefits on Continuing Disability Review claims; 
  • 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 findings of fact, evaluates totality of evidence, and determines capacity of claimant to engage in substantial gainful activity; 
  • Identifies physical or mental limitations imposed by an impairment or combination of impairments; 
  • Prepares residual functional capacity (RFC) assessments; 
  • Prepares written reports to document decision and issues formal determinations of eligibility; 
  • Assists in supervision and training of examiners of lower grade; 
  • Participates in special studies or work projects; 
  • Participates in public relations activities as requested; 
  • In the supervisor’s absence, functions as a first line supervisor; 
  • Recommends training needs; 
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Considerable knowledge of
    • federal law pertaining to Social Security Disability; 
    • disability adjudication principles, methods, and procedures; 
    • disabling conditions and medical terminology; 
    • relevant agency policies and procedures; 
  • Considerable
    • interpersonal skills; 
    • oral and written communication skills; 
  • Considerable ability to
    • gather, analyze, evaluate significant information pertinent to the claimant; 
    • properly analyze, interpret and apply rules and regulations of considerable complexity; 
    • write reports; 
    • relate to different cultural and economic backgrounds; 
    • organize time, set priorities and manage workload using an electronic system; 
  • Supervisory ability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Nine (9) years of experience in the determination of disability within a state disability determination agency.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been at the level of a Disability Claims Examiner.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

  • 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 one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • 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.

CHARACTER REQUIREMENTS

Under Sec. 17a-799 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 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.

JOB CLASS DESIGNATION

Unclassified

OCCUPATIONAL GROUP

(06)-Counseling

BARGAINING UNIT

(14)-EDUCATION B (P-3B)

EEO

(2)-Professional

SALARY INFORMATION

EQ 25

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

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.

CANCELLATION CLAUSE

This replaces the existing specification for the class of Disability Claims Specialist (40 Hour) in Salary Group EQ 25 approved effective July 1, 2022. (Revised to modify content, modernize format and add Acknowledgement section) Final No. 24-074

EFFECTIVE DATE

05/10/2024
CLASS: 7104EQ; EST: 7/8/2016; REV: 5/15/2024;