DSHS DDA Public Benefits Specialist 4

State of Washington

Pasco (WA)

Hybrid

USD 64,000 - 90,000

Full time

14 hours ago

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Job summary

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is seeking a DDA Public Benefits Specialist 4 (Long-Term Care Financial Eligibility) to determine Medicaid and related benefits eligibility for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. You will gather financial information, review documents, interview clients by phone, and coordinate with case managers to start benefits.

The role supports individuals across various long-term care programs and requires careful

Qualifications

Must have completed the agency's Public Benefits Specialist Training Program or similar out-of-state training.
Bachelor’s degree (or higher) with 12 months PBS 3 experience, or equivalent education/experience.
Experience examining/processing financial eligibility for public assistance may substitute education/experience.

Responsibilities

Decide who qualifies for long-term care programs.
Interview clients, family members, guardians, and attorneys by phone.
Gather and calculate income and assets to determine eligibility.
Determine monthly payments toward care costs.
Review legal/financial papers (trusts, deeds, etc.).
Update cases when circumstances change and issue notices.
Partner with case managers to set benefits start date.
Answer questions from social workers and providers; refer to Social Security or VA.

Skills

Analysis

Accuracy

Communication

Interviewing

Customer service

Organization

Judgment

Collaboration

Equity & culture

Education

Bachelor's or Master's + 12 months PBS 3

Bachelor's or higher + 12 months PBS 2

5+ years related experience substitution

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.

Position and Work Arrangement

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 overpayments 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.

Requirements

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.

Questions?

Please contact DSHS Recruiter, Georgina Pringle, at Georgina.Pringle@dshs.wa.gov and reference job number 08659.

Supplemental Information

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.

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More than Just a Paycheck!

Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

Read About Our Benefits

The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note:

If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits

Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state. Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts. To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs. Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre‑tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses. Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction. The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement And Deferred Compensation

State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site. Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre‑tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security

All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays

Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note:

Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Sick Leave

Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave. Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)

Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave. Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave, and paid holiday. As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump‑sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note:

Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave

Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave

Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave