LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas will get 150 new jobs, courtesy of $9 million in federal funds, to process other states' disability claims, legislators learned Friday.
Arthur Boutiette, director of the state Disability Determination for Social Security Administration, asked the Legislative Council for its OK to receive the federal dollars to expand his agency's operation.
Sen. Steve Bryles, D-Blytheville, urged approval.
"It's manna from heaven," he said. "In the interest of time, he needs to go ahead and start employing the people."
The request was granted without dissent.
Boutiette said he didn't receive off icial word from the federal government until 7:30 a.m. Friday. He said Arkansas is one of five states to be designated as "Mega Disability Agencies" to handle otherstates' claims. He said of those five states, Arkansas received the most new jobs.
"In the negotiations the last month or so, we told the federal government that we had some requirements of them," Boutiette said. "We were not going to do this unless they met our requirements. This morning they did meet those requirements. These are new jobs for Arkansas, permanent jobs. We're excited to do it."
Sen. Jimmy Jeffress, D-Crossett, asked if the expansion will lead to quicker claims processing for Arkansans seeking disability payments.
Boutiette said no, because his office already processes claims in an average of 66 days, which he said is faster than just about every other state.
He said the Social Security Administration asked Arkansas for help because nationwide, it is behind in processing about 750,000 claims.
"I believe they asked Arkansas to be involved because of our business process," Boutiette said. "We've been No. 1 in the country the last four years in arow in quality. We have one of the cheapest costs per case."
He said his existing staff will continue to handle the Arkansas cases. He said it takes about a year to train new employees.
"We want our seasoned people to do our own cases," Boutiette said.
He said the federal government agreed to that request and to pay for rent, computers and furnishings at a building in Little Rock to house the new employees. The building is across from the agency's Little Rock office, which is at Seventh and Pulaski streets, he said.
The federal government also agreed to provide medical support staff to review claims.
He said he didn't know which states will transfer claims to Arkansas.
Wes Davis, a Social Security spokesman for the Dallas region, which includes Arkansas, later confirmed Arkansas' good standing with the federal agency.
"Arkansas has been a top performer for quite some time in terms of quality and timeliness," Davis said. "I believe they are No. 1. I know they are for this region. I can't tell you wherethey stand nationally, but Arthur generally knows what he's talking about."
Davis said he didn't know the other four states that will join Arkansas in handling otherstates' claims.
The new jobs carry minimum salaries, depending on position, of $26,531; $35,554; $37,332; $39,199; $41,159; $57,914; and $117,061. The new hires will be considered state employees.
Boutiette said typical starting salaries will be $29,251, which will increase to $32,000 with satisfactory performance.
The agency now has 281 employees.
In fiscal 2008, the agency processed 64,658 cases. Of those 43,285 were initial claims, of which 36 percent were approved.
Before Boutiette addressed the committee, legislators had some fun with his name, mispronouncing it several ways.
"It's Boot-Ee-Ay," Bryles said. "My constituents call him Boot-Ee-Etty. It's sort of Italian-Cajun-French."
Council Co-Chairman Sen. Hank Wilkins, D-Pine Bluff, then asked for "Mr. Boo-Tee" to address the committee.
"It's better than what I was called yesterday, which was Boo-Titt-Ee," Boutiette said. "It's Boo-Tee-Ett."
Arkansas, Pages 11, 17 on 08/22/2009