Claims Specialists (CS) in Field Offices play a vital role delivering Social Security benefits and services to the public, both in-person and over the phone. As a CS, you conduct interviews to obtain, clarify and verify information for initial eligibility for various benefits. In addition, you resolve discrepancies, clarify issues, and make final decisions for initial and post-entitlement benefits and payments; adjudicate entitlement or disallowance actions; and use SSA’s computer systems to access and update claims information.
To qualify, you must be a U.S. citizen and have excellent communication and people skills. We consider additional qualifications such as experience, education, or a combination of
experience and education.
Claims Specialists are hired at either the GS-5 or GS-7 salary level, with promotion potential to the GS-9 and GS-11 salary levels.
Claims Specialist, GS-0105
GS-5 – Three years of general experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in the federal service that demonstrates the ability to 1) review problems to identify significant factors, gather pertinent data, and recognize solutions; 2) plan and organize work; and 3) communicate effectively orally and in writing. An example of qualifying experience includes reviewing, explaining, applying or interpreting rules, regulation or policies; or 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor’s degree.
GS-7 – 1 year of specialized experience at the GS-5 level (or equivalent) that demonstrates the ability to 1) assist individuals in establishing their entitlement to receive benefits (e.g., retirement, disability, public aid, insurance, taxes, etc.) ; 2) adjudicate, authorize or reconsider claims; 3) explain benefit (e.g., retirement, disability, public aid, insurance, taxes, etc.) entitlements or requirements to the general public; 4) evaluate benefit (e.g., retirement, disability, public aid, insurance, taxes, etc.) program operations to assess the integrity and quality; or 5) interpret benefit (e.g., retirement, disability, public aid, insurance, taxes, etc.) program requirements to formulate policies, procedures or guidelines; or 4-year degree with superior academic achievement or 1 year graduate study