• Job Description

  Req#: 5320485
  Salary: $4,653.00 - $6,259.00 Monthly
  Location : Multiple Locations Statewide, WA
  Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
  Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
  Job Number: 2026-03477
  Department: Dept. of Social and Health Services
  Division: HCLA
  Opening Date: 05/01/2026
  Closing Date: 5/7/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
  Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step
  
  Description
  
  DSHS HCLA Public Benefits Specialist 4
  
  The Developmental Disabilities Community Services (DDCS) within the Home and Community Living Administration (HCLA) is actively recruiting multiple experienced Public Benefits Specialist 4 professionals to join our dynamic team.
  
  HCLA is a newly formed administration within the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), bringing together the Developmental Disabilities Administration and the Aging and Long-Term Support Administration. This unified team is responsible for overseeing Washington State's system of long-term care, serving individuals with disabilities and older adults through home and community-based services, protective oversight, regulatory compliance, and case management.
  
  In this role you will provide intensive and expert level eligibility services to high-risk clients. You will review applications and conduct interviews to determine/re-determine eligibility for Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS). If you are looking to help people while doing meaningful work, apply today!
  
  Note: This role offers a hybrid telework schedule, with in-person workdays determined by business needs. The role allows flexibility in choosing an office location within the region.
  
  Some of what you'll do:
  
  • Determine eligibility for long-term services and support programs such as HCB Waiver, hospice, alternate care service programs, nursing facility, intuitional care, Medical Personal Care, Community First Choice, or Healthcare for Workers with Disabilities.
  • Expedite eligibility in emergent situations such as expedited food assistance and hospital discharges.
  • Conduct intensive interviews with the client, client representatives, attorneys, guardians to determine eligibility and post-eligibility for long-term services and supports.
  • Analyze and verify various complex legal documents to determine impact on Long Term Care eligibility.
  • Provide professional case management and evaluate services for a broad range of clients seeking long-term services and supports.
  • Act as a source of information for social workers, case managers, medical providers, guardians, authorized representatives, and attorneys to help ensure clients receive all benefits they are entitled to.
  What we're looking for:
  • Willingness to learn extensive knowledge of long-term care programs.
  • Professionals with advanced knowledge of federal and state financial, medical and food assistance, and Aged, Blind, Disabled Assistance programs.
  • Make independent conclusions, decisions, and recommend changes in eligibility assistance plans.
  • Excellent communication skills.
  • Experience using automated systems such as ACES, ProviderOne, CARE, and/or Barcode is highly desirable.
  • Ability to prioritize, multi-task and organize the workload.
  Who should apply:
  • Professionals who have a Bachelor's or Master's degree.
  And
  • Twelve months of experience as a Public Benefits Specialist 3.
  Or
  • A bachelor's degree or higher AND twelve months of experience as a Public Benefits Specialist 2 determining eligibility for long-term care services.
  And
  • Satisfactory completion of the agency's Public Benefits Specialist Training Program.
  Experience examining/processing loan applications, medical insurance or rehabilitation claims, unemployment insurance claims or a job providing staff support in financial eligibility determination, or 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 benefit programs will be considered toward experience.
  
  To apply please include:
  • Resume.
  • Letter of interest.
  • References.
  The Department of Social and Health Services' (DSHS) 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.
  
  Questions about this opportunity? Please email and reference job number #03477.
  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.
  
  E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
  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.
  
  We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
  
  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.
  
  Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.
  
  Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.
  
  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 (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 (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 , 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
  Leave Sharing
  
  Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
  Leave Without Pay
  
  Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.
  
  Updated 01-07-2026
  01
  
  Do you have at least one year of experience as a Public Benefits Specialist 3?
  • Yes
  • No
  
  02
  
  Do you have satisfactory completion of the agency's Public Benefits Specialist Training Program?
  • Yes
  • No
  
  03
  
  Do you have 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?
  • Yes
  • No
  
  04
  
  Do you have out of state experience conducting financial eligibility determination for public assistance to include financial, medical and food benefit programs?
  • Yes
  • No
  
  05
  
  If you answered Yes to having out of state experience conducting financial eligibility determination for public assistance to include financial, medical and food benefit programs, which state did you gain this experience and how long did you perform those duties. If you answered No please write N/A.
  Required Question

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