Paralegal Casehandler, Disability Advocacy Project (DAP)

The Legal Aid Society • New York, NY

7d

About The Position

The Legal Aid Society's Government Benefits Practice includes our Disability Advocacy Project (“DAP”). DAP staff provide representation, legal assistance, legal advocacy, and education to clients with disabilities who need income and related supports from city, state, and federal programs, especially federal disability benefits from the Social Security Administration. These benefits allow low-income individuals with disabilities and their families access to food, housing, and basic necessities. Defending our client community’s right to these benefits is crucial to our clients’ ability to live with dignity and to maintain the diversity that defines New York City. Subject to continued funding and staffing priorities, The Legal Aid Society’s Civil Practice is hiring a Paralegal Casehandler for the Disability Advocacy Project (DAP) unit of the Brooklyn Neighborhood Office to provide legal assistance to clients with disabilities seeking to obtain and maintain benefits from the Social Security Administration. While the primary responsibility is handling individual cases, there may also be opportunities to contribute to administrative and legislative advocacy and litigation in the pursuit of disability rights/justice. The candidate will be supervised by the Supervising Attorney of the DAP/Benefits Unit of our Brooklyn Neighborhood Office. The Paralegal Casehandler will also assist with outreach and community training. The Paralegal Casehandler may be required to work in more than one community or borough depending on changing client needs and priorities.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree (strongly preferred)
• A paralegal certificate from an ABA accredited paralegal program
• At minimum a high school diploma / GED and 4+ years of legal work experience
• 4+ years of combined higher education and legal work experience
• Commitment and ability to advocate on behalf of low-income people
• Highly self-motivated and able to work independently
• Demonstrated ability to accurately and quickly gather data, compile information, and keep accurate records
• Strong writing skills, including for persuasive advocacy
• Excellent organizational skills
• Excellent computer skills including Office 365 and all Microsoft Office programs, and demonstrated ability to work with databases
• Excellent judgment, including the ability to handle sensitive or confidential information

Nice To Haves

• Proficiency in language(s) other than English is preferred, but not required

Responsibilities

• Represent low-income clients with disabilities in administrative hearings and administrative appeals of the denial, reduction, and termination of benefits, including case development and written and oral advocacy
• Provide advice and assistance to clients
• Conduct intake interviews
• Advocate with various agencies regarding government benefits
• Conduct factual and legal research
• Organize and manage electronic and paper files
• Work collaboratively with external partners
• Conduct community education, training, and outreach
• Conduct intake interviews with clients in the office and in the community, occasionally outside of business hours as needed
• Participate in continuous professional development
• Continuously learn about forms of bias in the workplace and demonstrate affirmative behaviors that support an inclusive work environment

Benefits

• health insurance
• paid vacation
• disability
• life insurance
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• State and Federal loan forgiveness programs
• assistance from New York state to assist with loan repayments, depending on years of practice

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level