Paralegal - Public Benefits

Legal Aid Chicago•Chicago, IL

1d•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 200 N. 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 obtain benefits from the Illinois Department of Human Services, 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 strongly preferred

Responsibilities

Develop, maintain, and grow knowledge of law and procedures related to the benefits administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) such as Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF)
Staff in-person intake and outreach for 2-3 days each week (14.5-21.75 hours/week) at City of Chicago Department of Family and Support Services Center
Conduct intake and gather facts needed for comprehensive legal assessment for potential clients
Apply proper eligibility standards, both financial and subject matters, in accepting clients for service
Assist clients to apply for benefits from the IDHS including completing and submitting application forms and obtaining, preparing, and submitting other documents necessary to establish eligibility
Undertake activities needed to help clients obtain, maintain, and maximize benefits to which they are entitled, including but not limited to: conducting factual and legal research; devising, updating, and implementing case strategies; preparing and presenting cases for case acceptance decisions; preparing cases for hearings; drafting legal documents; negotiating; presenting evidence; conducting oral advocacy in administrative proceedings; and properly maintaining an ongoing client relationship
Provide administrative and litigation support to attorneys including, but not limited to drafting letters, pleadings, discovery, records requests; and maintaining paper files and intake materials.
Participate in maintaining good community relations by acting as a liaison between community groups, City of Chicago Department of Family and Support Services staff, and Legal Aid Chicago staff. Tasks may include, without limitation: outreach and community education to social service agency personnel; advocacy training in legal rights; creating and distributing outreach materials.
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
Maintain case files and accurate timekeeping in electronic case management system
Maintain proficiency with all equipment, computer hardware and software necessary to perform the duties of the position and
Other duties as determined by the Supervising Attorneys and Director

Benefits

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