DSHS HCLA Public Benefits Specialist 4

DSHS HCLA – Public Benefits Specialist

Home & Community Living Administration (HCLA) is seeking a Public Benefits Specialist 4 (PBS4) statewide. In this role, you will provide comprehensive consultation about complex eligibility qualifications and skilled financial guidance to high-risk clients who are financially and medically dependent upon a full range of services and supports.

King County employees receive 5% premium pay in addition to the advertised salary.

HCLA promotes, plans, and provides long-term services and supports that help people with disabilities, older adults, and care givers maintain independence, dignity, and quality of life. You’ll be a team member of Statewide Eligibility and Service Delivery (SESD) that advances a unified statewide approach that strengthens financial-eligibility work and delivers a consistent experience for clients and staff.

Some of what you will do:

• Review information, documents, and client circumstances to determine eligibility for long-term services and supports.
• Conduct confidential interviews with clients, families, representatives, attorneys, and medical providers — in person and by phone.
• Explain program requirements in plain language and help clients understand their options, rights, and next steps.
• Apply state rules, policies, and procedures to make fair, timely, and accurate decisions.
• Review financial and legal documents (such as hospice plans, court orders, trusts, or property records) to understand how they affect eligibility.
• Use multiple computer systems to review information, document decisions, and keep case records accurate and up to date.
• Identify when clients need accommodations or language access and arrange interpreters, accessible formats, or other supports.
• Recognize and correct errors, respond to audits, and ensure decisions meet program standards.
• Coordinate with social workers, case managers, medical providers, and community partners to support client needs.
• Manage a caseload by prioritizing tasks, meeting required timelines, and following through on commitments.

Applicants qualify through one of the following:

• Five years of combined higher education and/or equivalent experience, including at least one year in areas such as eligibility work, customer service supporting historically marginalized communities, loan processing, medical or rehabilitation claims, unemployment insurance claims, or reviewing and verifying financial or program information.
• Experience in hospital, skilled nursing, or long-term care settings where you helped residents, families, or care teams understand services, coverage, or eligibility processes.
• Out-of-state experience conducting financial eligibility determination for public assistance programs (financial, medical, or food benefits), which may count toward the experience requirement.
• Twelve months of experience as a Public Benefits Specialist 3.
• A bachelor’s degree or higher, and at least twelve months as a Public Benefits Specialist 2 determining eligibility for public assistance or long-term care services.

We’re looking for people who bring skills like:

• Using critical thinking & mathematic calculations to review information and make fair, accurate decisions.
• Communicating clearly and compassionately, especially when explaining complex information.
• Asking clear follow-up questions to get the information needed for fair and accurate eligibility decisions.
• Listening actively, showing empathy, and staying calm during stressful situations.
• Managing a workload by organizing tasks, meeting deadlines, and following through.
• Learning new computer systems and keeping information accurate and organized.
• Adapting to changing client needs, policies, and systems while maintaining service quality.
• Working well with clients, families, social workers, and community partners.

Preferred knowledge, skills, & abilities:

• Experience working with long-term services and supports programs or state & federal medical assistance programs.
• Comfortable working with detailed rules and procedures, interpreting complex situations, and adjusting as policies change.
• Comfort using multiple computer systems and Microsoft Office.
• Skill in working with people in difficult or emotional situations.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks in a busy environment.
• Ability to explain complex information in a clear, respectful, and supportive way.

Employees in Pierce, King, and Snohomish Counties are eligible for an ORCA Card for transportation needs.

Interested? Apply today!

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 reviewedhere. Applicants whose appointment would result in a prohibited reporting relationship are not eligible for appointment to that position.



E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.