Paralegal - Public Benefits

Legal Aid Chicago • Chicago, IL

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

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 will require travel to regularly scheduled outreach activities, including at City of Chicago Department of Family and Support Services Centers at least three days per week.

The Public Benefits Practice Group (PBPG) assists with applications and challenges wrongful denials, terminations, calculations, overpayments, and sanctions of benefits from the Department of Human Services including SNAP, TANF, MBD 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 full-time paralegal within our Public Benefits Practice Group. The paralegal will focus on assisting individuals in applying for benefits from the Illinois Department of Human Services and Social Security Administration, will report to a Supervisory Attorney, and is responsible for the following tasks:

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, great client counseling skills and genuine desire to interact with clients
• 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
• Applicants must have the ability to work well under pressure, independently and as part of a team

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of and experience with public benefits issues is valued and should be highlighted in the cover letter and resume
• Fluency in Spanish is a plus

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and grow knowledge of law and procedures related to Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits and benefits administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) such as Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF)
• Conduct intake and comprehensive legal screening for potential new clients
• Represent clients by undertaking such activities as: interview clients and conduct initial fact gathering; conduct factual and legal research; devise, update, and implement case strategies; prepare a case for hearing; draft legal documents; negotiate; present evidence; interrogate witnesses; conduct oral advocacy in administrative proceedings; and properly maintain an ongoing client relationship
• Assist clients to apply for benefits from the IDHS and SSA including completing and submitting application forms and obtaining, preparing, and submitting other documents necessary to establish eligibility
• Provide administrative and litigation support to attorneys including, but not limited to drafting letters, pleadings, discovery, records requests; creating outreach materials; and maintaining paper files and intake materials
• Provide advice and referrals to individuals
• Participate in maintaining good community relations by acting as a liaison between community groups and the Legal Aid Chicago staff. Tasks may include regular application assistance activities at off-site locations; outreach and community education to client groups and social service agency personnel; advocacy training in legal rights
• Maintain knowledge of the case acceptance criteria of the Public Benefits Practice group and other Legal Aid Chicago practice groups to facilitate appropriate internal referrals
• Maintain case files and accurate case notes and timekeeping in electronic case management system
• Track data related to grants and assist with grant reporting
• Partner and collaborate with other Legal Aid Chicago staff, as well as staff from partner agencies
• Maintain proficiency with equipment and technology necessary to perform the duties of the position
• Other duties as determined by the Supervising Attorney and Director.

Benefits

• 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 51-100 employees