Intern, Public Benefits Law Unit (Spring 2027)

LEGAL AID DC • Washington, DC

6d • Hybrid

About The Position

Legal Aid DC is seeking a spring intern to join its Public Benefits Law Unit. The organization provides civil legal assistance and pursues systemic reform, including work involving public benefits. The Public Benefits Unit helps families and individuals overcome legal barriers to essential safety-net benefits, including Unemployment Insurance, Social Security, SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, and DC HealthCare Alliance. The intern will provide substantive, administrative, and project support and will report to a staff attorney in the unit.

The internship is for Spring 2027, lasts 12 weeks, and runs from January 8, 2027, through April 2, 2027. Interns should expect to work at least 16 hours per week. The position is based at Legal Aid’s offices in Northwest Washington, DC, with the option to perform some work remotely if approved by the supervisor. Legal Aid will help spring semester interns receive course credit. Interns may receive a scholarship of up to $2,650 for the 12-week internship, subject to funding restrictions: scholarship funding is not available to interns who receive outside funding or participate in a school program that precludes payment.

Requirements

• Be a current law school student or graduate interested in public interest and public benefits law.

Responsibilities

• Perform legal and factual research for unit attorneys.
• Write briefs, client correspondence, third-party letters or statements, and other legal materials.
• Call local government offices with clients to determine the status of their benefits, including the DC Health Care Ombuds Office, the Department of Human Services, and the Social Security Administration.
• Review medical records.
• Draft flyers or other pro se materials.
• Conduct intakes and follow-up interviews with applicants.
• Observe unit attorneys’ work, including administrative hearings and substantive client calls.
• Attend unit meetings and Legal Aid DC all-staff meetings.
• Observe and take notes at meetings and hearings for the benefit of the unit.

Benefits

• Scholarship of up to $2,650 for the 12-week internship, subject to eligibility restrictions.
• Legal Aid will help spring semester interns receive course credit.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed