BETTYE CHRISTINE JORDAN

Average Hours Per Week: 40

Name And Telephone Of Immediate Supervisor:

Shir Kochi: 205-801-3719

Benefit authorizers are responsible for maintaining the integrity of the master beneficiary records of millions of Social security recipients. When the computer is unable to process post-entitlement actions, the case is sent to the benefit authorizer. Daily, I receive cases that the computer is unable to process. When I receive a case, I review evidence, supporting documentation, and any forms such as student forms. I analyze the payment record to determine the nature of the problem. Once I determine the problem, I research policy and procedure. I make the necessary correction via macade, post entitlement systems or other direct input programs. I send the appropriate notice to the claimant describing the changes that have occurred on the record. For example, I receive a student statement regarding full time attendance. The student dates of attendance are listed on the record, but the beneficiary is still in terminated status. I compare the dates on the form with the dates on the record. I go to macaco and I realize that the dates are not entered in the correct format for a student who is graduating at the age of nineteen. I enter the dates correctly, reinstate the benefits and I send a notice to the beneficiary.

• I establish payment records when I receive benefit awards from claims authorizers, claims representatives from local offices, and claims specialists from workload support units. I review the awards for any bic errors or omissions. I verify the accuracy of the payment amounts provided on the awards. I recalculate and correct any monthly benefit rates. I make final determinations to suspend, reinstate, withhold, adjust or terminate benefits based on the rules identified in procedure operations manual. For example, I often receive work notices that the computer system is unable to process. I obtain the beneficiary’s record. I review all of the factors I must consider when applying the annual earning test. I look for the date of birth, the full retirement age, any children or spouses on the record to determine not only how the earnings will affect the worker, but any others on the record. The earnings estimate exceeds the earnings limit. I apply the annual earnings test. I enter the information into the system via macade and I send letters to all beneficiaries affected by the worker’s earnings.
• I determine if overpayments exist. For example, I received a message via the modernized development worksheet system from a service representative in a field office. The representative had input earnings for a beneficiary attempting to remove an overpayment he thought was incorrect from the record. The overpayment was caused by the number holder’s work and earnings. He provided the earnings and the non-service months in his message. I applied the annual earnings test. I reviewed the payment history update system to verify the months she was paid and the amount of the payments. After the review, I determined the service representative entered the earnings information incorrectly. I also computed paid versus payable. I confirmed that the overpayment on the system was correct. I responded to the service representative via mad. In my response, I provided instructions regarding the input of earnings and any non-service months. I explained how to apply the earnings test. I confirmed the overpayment was correct and I explained the reason. Since the beneficiary had already received a notice, a duplicate wasn’t necessary. If I determine a beneficiary has been overpaid, I send a notice advising the beneficiary of the overpayment and I include alternative methods of recovery, appeal and waiver rights. I make determinations on reconsiderations of overpayments.
• I contact beneficiaries, district offices, employers and other SSA components when additional information is needed to process cases. I also respond to inquiries from those entities listed above when explanations of post-entitlement actions, procedures and assistance is needed.
• For example, I received an alert to follow up on an overpayment on a record with Railroad board jurisdiction. I received verification of the overpayment amount for the number holder, but I didn’t receive any information for the auxiliaries’ overpaid on the record. I amended the overpayment amount on the record for the worker. I sent him a notice which explained the reason for the overpayment. In the letter, I included a detailed paid versus payable, his appeal rights, his waiver rights and his right to establish a monthly partial recovery agreement. Since I did not receive the information I needed for the children, I faxed the Railroad board the request for their overpayment information.
• Another example, I received a call from a claims representative. She sent an mdw questioning the monthly benefit amount of a beneficiary dually entitled to disability and spouse’s benefits. She thought the beneficiary was being paid too much. I computed the rates. I determined the beneficiary was paid correctly. I sent an mdw to the office to confirm the beneficiary’s monthly benefit amount. She called me after she received the mdw because she could not determine how I reached my conclusion. I offered to compute the rates with her while she was on the phone. She agreed. I instructed her as to which computation she should use. I reviewed the reduction factors, the primary insurance amounts and the family maximums used in the computation. She realized she used the primary insurance amount for December 2010 when she should have used the December 2011 primary insurance amount. She thanked me for my help. I thanked her for taking the time to call and clarify her concerns.
• Mentored junior staff on best practices for case management and customer service protocols.

GS-05/06/07/08

Average Hours Per Week: 40

• Name And Telephone Of Immediate Supervisor: TRACEY D. JACKSON (205) 801-2122
• My job consists of developing claims and post-entitlement actions for the Title II, Title XVI, and Title XVIII programs. Daily, I Interview claimants, recipients, beneficiaries and/or other members of the public. I treat courteously and respectfully. I screen potential claimants, schedule appointments and requested all supporting evidence. I process PE inputs using the appropriate systems. (Ex. 2.10, RSDI, MDI) I assess the case in order to determine the correct evidence needed to complete the case. I interpret queries so that I am able to answer claimant questions and resolve case discrepancies. Give relevant advice and assistance to claimants. Provide them with the information on actions taken and the follow-up timeframes. Take necessary follow-up. Resolve discrepancies between allegations and evidence. I assess cases to determine if there is an overpayment. Inform beneficiaries of overpayment amounts and recovery actions necessary. Make final decision on what appropriate action is needed when a waiver request is made. I process waiver request. Prepare correspondence and other written work in an organized manner. Initiate computer notices, form letters, or self- composed letters, as needed, tailoring explanation to the recipient's level of understanding. Review finish product to ensure that it is accurate in format, spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Send clear and concise messages to the field office via administrative message. Take action to resolve earning discrepancies.
• I Promptly refer callers to the appropriate personnel and components if action cannot be taken in the TSC to resolve the situation. Recognizes priorities and ensure prompt action. I process critical payments, making determinations on T2 claims and PE situations in which the case has been identified as one where the beneficiary is in dire need and the beneficiary has not received a payment that is due.
• I Complete SSI abbreviated applications, making determination of ineligibility to SSI benefits when reason for denial is clear. I document reason for denial input systems record creating denial notices and protecting claimant's appeal rights.
• Adhere to the provisions of the Privacy Act by correctly identifying claimant/beneficiaries before releasing information. I listen attentively to conversation, so that I can determine the nature of the problem and take corrective actions.
• My job requires that I use POMS, MSOM, and other available references effectively to help resolve problems.