Public Contact
The majority of positions at Social Security involve working directly with the public, with multiple positions located throughout the country. Our Public Contact Representatives receive extensive training and mentoring in Social Security programs and state laws. They also speak with beneficiaries about their rights under Social Security laws, gather facts and evidence to establish eligibility for benefits, determine benefit amounts to individuals, and use technology to access and update claims information.
Examples of Positions Include:
Claims Specialists speak with beneficiaries about Social Security benefits. (Field Office or Program Service Center) Watch what Claims Specialists in the Program Service Centers do!
- Interview applicants for benefits.
- Determine a claimant’s initial eligibility for Social Security benefits.
- Analyze evidence that will help make a determination.
- Obtain, clarify, and verify data used to analyze claims and make benefit decisions.
Customer Service Representatives gather facts and evidence to establish eligibility for benefits. (Field Office or Teleservice Center) Watch what Customer Service Representatives do! Watch what Customer Service Teleservice Representatives do!
- Assist the public by answering a wide variety of questions both in person and via telephone.
- Conduct interviews, investigate situations, and resolve issues.
- Assess relevant information to determine ongoing eligibility for Social Security benefits.
- Analyze a claimant’s benefit payment history.
Benefit Authorizers make critical decisions to determine benefit amounts to individuals, and use state-of-the art technology to access and update claims. Watch what Benefits Authorizers do!
- Prepare, verify, and maintain Master Beneficiary Record.
- Work with the public by telephone or mail regarding benefit and payment amounts for various Social Security programs.
- Substantive analysis to make benefit determinations.
- Solve problems through use of Social Security policies and regulations.