Paralegal - Public Benefits

Description

For over 50 years, Legal Aid Chicago has provided free civil legal assistance to people living in poverty in metropolitan Chicago. Each year our attorneys, volunteers, and staff help resolve civil legal problems, including domestic violence, consumer fraud, and unfair evictions. Legal Aid Chicago was founded on the philosophy that all individuals are entitled to quality civil legal representation, regardless of their income. We work to ensure that poverty is not an impediment to justice.

Legal Aid Chicago offers a hybrid work environment. Our office, located in downtown Chicago at 120 S. LaSalle Street, is ADA accessible and has convenient access to public transportation and local expressways. This position may require travel to court or other outreach events.

The Public Benefits Practice Group assists with applications and challenges wrongful denials,  terminations, calculations, overpayments, and sanctions of benefits from the Department of Human  Services including SNAP, TANF, AABD Cash, and Medicaid and from the Social Security  Administration including SSI and Social Security Disability benefits. PBPG also serves military  veterans and their families with special emphasis on obtaining and preserving benefits from the  Department of Veterans Affairs

Position: Legal Aid Chicago seeks a Public Benefits Outreach Paralegal in the Public Benefits Practice Group to work with individuals applying for public benefits including those administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services and the Social Security Administration.

Responsibilities: The paralegal will work under the direct supervision of an attorney and the authority conferred upon the paralegal in the handling of cases or client service functions is determined by the supervisory attorney. The paralegal will handle all functions related to casework, from initial intake through representation of clients at administrative hearings. The duties of the paralegal include the following:

• Interview clients and gather facts, consult with supervising attorney to determine appropriate actions, uphold client confidentiality, avoid conflicts of interest, and adhere to the same ethical standards required of attorneys
• Advise and refer individuals not accepted as clients to appropriate resources or services
• Provide client representation, including factual and legal research, strategy development, hearing preparation, legal drafting, negotiation, presenting evidence, examining witnesses, conducting oral advocacy, and maintaining ongoing communication and support
• Liaise with community partners that host outreach activities
• Provide outreach and community education to individuals and social service agency personnel
• Attend trainings and maintain knowledge of law and procedures related to benefits administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services and Social Security Administration, and
• Track and report grant-related data and prepare reports and statistics related to cases and other projects
• Maintain case files and accurate timekeeping in electronic case management system
• Support attorneys in all stages of litigation, including administrative tasks
• Maintain proficiency with required equipment, computer hardware, and software
• Other duties as determined by the Supervising Attorneys and Director

Salary and Benefits:  

This position is part of the National Organization of Legal Services Workers, UAW Local 2320. The Collective Bargaining Agreement sets employment terms and compensation is determined by the CBA salary scale, based on paid experience.

The budgeted salary range for this position is $45,760-$50,738, which reflects 0-10 years of paid, credited experience.

Legal Aid Chicago offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Bilingual Paralegals are eligible for an additional stipend
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance, effective the first day of employment
• Time Off: 15 vacation days and 18 sick days accrued within the first year of employment
• 19 paid holidays, including four (4) floating holidays
• Twelve weeks of Paid Parental Leave at 100% of the salary after six months of employment
• 403(b) retirement plan with an employer contribution after one year of employment
• $50,000 Basic Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance, at no cost
• Access to Employee Assistance Program resources, at no cost
• Monthly internet reimbursement
• Legal Aid Chicago is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and is an eligible employer for the federal public service loan forgiveness program

Requirements

Legal Aid Chicago encourages applications from individuals with relevant experience, particularly those who have direct experience with communities we serve or perspectives that help us understand and serve our clients better.

• Strong oral and written communication skills, highly developed organizational skills, and great client counseling skills and genuine desire to interact with clients
• Knowledge of and experience with public benefits issues is valued and should be highlighted in the cover letter and resume
• The successful applicant will be collegial and demonstrate a commitment to and experience with our client communities and/or people living in poverty, and applicants are encouraged to share that experience in their cover letter
• The applicant’s personal background, experience, or professional background should reflect an ability to work effectively in cross-cultural situations with clients, co-workers and the community we serve
• Fluency in Spanish is a plus
• Applicants must have the ability to work well under pressure
• Applicants must have the ability to work well independently and as part of a team 

To Apply: Submit a cover letter, resume, and the contact information of two primary professional references and one alternative professional reference. For applicants with previous work experience, at least one reference must be a former supervisor. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the position will remain open until filled.

Legal Aid Chicago is firmly committed to creating a diverse workplace and is proud to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and therefore does not discriminate on the basis of creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, marital or parental status, alienage, disability, political affiliation or belief, military or military discharge status, ex-offender status, family responsibilities, reproductive health decisions or any other protected status.

If an accommodation is needed to complete this application, contact Human Resources at [email protected].

Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to respond to individual inquiries regarding an application status. We will contact candidates who are selected for the next stage of the hiring process.