DISABILITY CLAIMS ADJUDICATOR 1 (UMP)

State of IllinoisSpringfield, IL
$66,864 - $94,776Onsite

About The Position

The Bureau of Disability Determination Services is seeking to hire a Disability Claims Adjudicator to perform responsible, complex administrative, medical and legal work pursuant to the adjudication of initial claims for disability benefits under Title II and Title XVI of the Social Security Act. This position reviews paper or electronic initial claim application, initiates request for necessary medical or non-medical evidence such as job descriptions or activities of daily living through contact by letter or telephone including but not limited to medical treatment sources, employers, Social Security field offices, legal representatives, etc. and prepares and authenticates decision of allowance (establishing onset), denial or a closed period of disability for Illinois residents who have disabling impairments which preclude substantial gainful activity as defined in the Federal regulations.

Requirements

  • Requires a bachelor’s degree, with major courses in medical, premedical, legal, prelegal, nursing, psychology, pharmacy, health, biological sciences, physical sciences, business administration, management, or disability claims adjudication.
  • OR Requires current valid licensure as a Registered Nurse in the State of Illinois, plus three (3) years of professional registered nursing experience.
  • In addition to either of the above, requires successful completion of bureau’s training program OR one (1) year of professional social security disability adjudication experience.
  • Qualifying state employees, in the employee Upward Mobility Program, may complete combinations of specific proficiency tests and training programs leading to a certificate of proficiency in lieu of the stated requirements for this class.
  • Requires ability to pass a federal employment background check.
  • Individuals selected for positions with the Illinois Disability Determination Service (DDS) must go through a complete federal background investigation suitability determination by the Social Security Administration.
  • Those individuals meeting the state requirements for employment must first complete the federal background investigation prior to their start date.
  • This is necessary to determine whether an employee can be issued credentials in order to have access to the Social Security Disability data, records and systems.

Nice To Haves

  • While not required, a Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV) is recommended.
  • To utilize upward mobility contractual rights for this position, employees must apply internally and must upload a copy of the UMP grade notice to their application documents prior to submission.
  • UMP grades can be uploaded to the Additional Documents OR Grade Documentation section of the application.

Responsibilities

  • Examines and analyzes data recorded by Social Security field office obtained through an interview or internet application of clients who file for disability.
  • Reviews and assesses medical and lay evidence received through the paper or the electronic case process.
  • Obtains full job description of all relevant past employment.
  • Communicates with claimants regardless of their language, educational level or type of impairment and effectively handle crisis.
  • Reviews regulatory changes, policy guidelines, procedures and transmittals received electronically from state and federal operations, keeps informed of professional and medical technological advances which affect adjudication.
  • Screens all final decisions.
  • Performs other duties as assigned or required which are reasonably within the scope of duties enumerated above.

Benefits

  • A Pension Program
  • Competitive Group Insurance Benefits including Health, Life, Dental and Vision Insurance
  • 3 Paid Personal Business Days annually
  • 12 Paid Sick days annually (Sick days carry over from year to year)
  • 10-25 days of Paid Vacation time annually - (10 days in year one of employment)
  • 13 Paid Holidays annually, 14 on even numbered years
  • Flexible Work Schedules (when available dependent upon position)
  • 12 Weeks Paid Parental Leave
  • Deferred Compensation Program - A supplemental retirement plan
  • Optional Pre-Tax Programs such as Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP), Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP)
  • Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility
  • GI Bill® Training/Apprenticeship Benefits eligibility for qualifying Veterans
  • 5% Salary Differential for Bilingual Positions
  • Commuter Savings Program (Chicago only)
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