Disability Determination Adjudicator I

Disability Determination Adjudicator I

Join the DOL team!

Disability Determination Service (DDS) is the state agency that processes Social Security Disability claims under Titles II and XVI of the Social Security Act. We are the only DDS in Delaware and receive all disability claims in our state. We provide quality customer service to Delawareans through timely and accurate disability decisions.

In the Adjudicator I position, you will be responsible for evaluating disability claims and making determinations in accordance with rules and regulations governing the Social Security Disability program. This process involves the evaluation of medical evidence to make judgements about the presence, onset, and clinical severity of physical or mental impairments. Large amounts of evidence will need reviewed in order to make decisions regarding the vocational potential of claimants, leading to allow or deny social insurance disability benefits.

Career Ladder - Upon satisfactory completion of department promotional standards and job requirements, employees may be eligible to be promoted to the next level.

Essential Functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class. Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents can complete job duties of similar kind not specifically listed here.

• Reviews claims and plans case development to adjudicate claims.
• Gathers necessary medical, vocational and other evidence by telephone and letter contact to clarify initially submitted information and obtain additional information needed to adjudicate a case.
• Reviews and analyzes medical, psychological, psychiatric, social, educational and vocational evidence to determine the severity of medically determinable impairments, justifiable onset date, and credible work-related limitations in accordance with Federal regulations and programmatic mandates.
• Requests consultative medical examinations to adjudicate claims and manages scheduling arrangements with medical providers and claimants to ensure that claimants attend examinations.
• Researches the affects of disease processes and resulting impact on the ability to perform work-related activities.
• Prepares documentation for favorable decisions; prepares written decision rationales and letters to inform claimants of unfavorable decisions made on their disability applications; and explains due-process and appeal rights.
• Authorizes payment of medical invoices.
• Maintains up-to-date reference materials and manuals necessary to the adjudication process.

Job Requirements - Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

1. Possession of a Bachelors degree or higher in Behavioral, Social or Health Science or related field.

         OR

1. Six months experience in analyzing medical conditions in terms of vocational success.
2. Six months experience in conducting medical and vocational case assessments to include collecting, analyzing and summarizing data in written narrative reports.
3. Six months experience in applying laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures.