DSHS DDA Public Benefits Specialist 4

State of Washington; Lacey (WA); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid telework schedule

In-office training

Travel may be required

Job summary

State of Washington's Developmental Disabilities Administration seeks a DDA Public Benefits Specialist 4 to review income/assets and apply state/federal rules to determine Medicaid and long-term care eligibility. You’ll interview clients and guardians, verify financial information, and coordinate with case managers to start benefits, with hybrid in-office and remote work options.

Responsibilities include reviewing documents, assessing asset transfers, and guiding clients through complex

Qualifications

• Must have completed the agency’s Public Benefits Specialist Training Program, or similar out-of-state training.
• Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree required with 12 months of public benefits experience (Specialist 3).
• Bachelor’s degree or higher with 12 months of Specialist 2 experience determining long-term care eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Decide who qualifies for long-term care programs (in-home care, home and community services, hospice, etc.).
• Interview clients, family members, guardians, and attorneys by phone.
• Gather and calculate income and assets to determine 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 (trusts, deeds, policies, etc.).
• Search statewide property database to assess transfers affecting eligibility.
• Act quickly on urgent cases (hospital discharges, facility closures).
• Update cases when circumstances change and send required notices.
• Partner with case managers to set benefits start date.
• Identify and correct payment errors; respond to audits.
• Answer questions from social workers, medical providers, guardians; refer to SSA/VA.
• Arrange interpreters and translations to improve access to services.

Skills

Analysis

Accuracy

Communication

Interviewing

Customer service

Organization

Judgment

Collaboration

Equity and cultural competence

Education

Bachelor's or Master’s degree

Experience as Public Benefits Specialist 2/3

Equivalent education/experience 5+ years

Job description

DDA Public Benefits Specialist 4 - Long-Term Care Financial Eligibility

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.

Please note: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. This role offers a hybrid telework schedule, with in-person workdays determined by business needs. This role allows flexibility in choosing an office location within the region. In-office training as well as travel may be required as business needs arise.

Some of what you'll do:

• 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 over-payments 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.

Who should apply? Those that meet the following requirements:

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

• A bachelor’s degree* or master’s degree* AND twelve months of experience as a Public Benefits Specialist 3*.
• 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 to include financial, medical and food stamp benefit programs will be considered toward experience.

Additional knowledge, skills, and abilities we’re looking for:

• 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 and attorneys and other agencies.
• Equity and cultural competence: Respects the cultures, languages, and life experiences of the people we serve and work to remove barriers to services.

The Department of Social and Health Services’ vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver’s license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725‑5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

Relationship and Reporting Structure ( Nepotism ) Disclosure: If you are selected for hire, you must disclose whether you have a relative, household member, close friend, or romantic partner within your potential supervisory chain of command. DSHS has a Relationships and the Reporting Structure policy that prohibits nepotism and can be reviewed here. Applicants whose appointment would result in a prohibited reporting relationship are not eligible for appointment to that position.