After Legal Assistant Training: Working For The Social Security Administration
When you have completed your legal assistant training, you will most likely start your job hunt. You will be handing out business cards, networking, and, most importantly, filling out tons of applications. There are many places to find employment, but which one do really want to work for?
Legal Assistant Training and The Social Security Administration
If you have finished your legal assistant training, you may want to consider working for the Social Security Administration (SSA). The SSA provides full time career positions for legal assistants who wish to help analyze and solve problems and work with a team to help advise disabled and retired individuals on their governmental rights.
Individuals who have legal assistant training help the SSA by handling appeals for individuals who have been denied benefits from Social Security, Medicare, or SSI. They work with judges, lawyers, and other professionals.
From Legal Assistant Training to SSA
Before you can obtain a job with the SSA as a legal assistant, you must meet the following requirements.
- Be 18 years old or older
- Be a legal United States Citizen
- Be registered for selective service
- Pass a security and background check
- Legal assistant training
Simply stating that you have received the correct education or are a US citizen is not helpful. You will need to provide accurate documents, such as your diploma or certificate and your birth certificate or social security card. You may also need to bring your driver’s license or state identification card with you to verify that you are over the age of 18.
Individuals who qualify for a position and are chosen will be expected to complete a one year probationary period. If you have not already completed your legal assistant training before applying, you will be expected to complete off-site training.
Each applicant will need to fill out an application and take a 15 minute questionnaire. Your eligibility will greatly depend on how you answer the questions on the questionnaire. If you are unable to follow the instructions correctly or leave any answers blank, you will hurt your chances for obtaining a position. The questionnaire and your application will help your future employer determine whether you will be selected for the position or not. If you qualify for veteran’s preference, you will have a leg up on the competition.
With experience, and additional legal assistant training that will lead to a Bachelor’s degree, you will be able to earn promotions within the SSA.
What Are An SSA Legal Assistant’s Job Duties?
At the SSA, a legal assistant will be expected to perform many of the same job duties as any other legal assistant. However, you will also be asked to analyze and interpret laws, rules, policies, and regulations pertaining to each hearing you assist with. You will also be responsible for developing and processing hearing requests.
Working with the Social Security Administration after legal assistant training can be very rewarding and fulfilling. If you want to help individuals in need of government benefits, this might be the perfect job for you.
For more information on legal assistant training and careers, continue to follow our blog.