Paralegal - Public Benefits (SOAR)

1 month ago

Chicago, United States Legal Aid Chicago Full time

Legal Aid Chicago encourages applicants with relevant volunteer and work experience, who have experiences with our client communities or individuals who identify as a person of color, LGBTQIA+, immigrant, or otherwise having backgrounds and experiences that are underrepresented in the legal profession to apply.

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 by dismantling the legal barriers that perpetuate inequality. Legal Aid Chicago staff live our mission through our core values of equity, excellence, inclusion, kindness, and respect.

Legal Aid Chicago offers a hybrid work environment. Our offices, 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.

Position

Legal Aid Chicago seeks a full-time paralegal within our Public Benefits Practice Group. The paralegal will focus primarily on Social Security/ SSI Outreach, Advocacy and Recovery (SOAR) work, will report to a Supervisory Attorney, and is responsible for the following tasks:

Responsibilities without limitation

  • Conduct intake and comprehensive legal screening for potential new clients
  • Provide litigation support to attorneys including, but not limited to, drafting letters, pleadings, discovery, records requests, and outreach materials on Social Security Administration (SSA) and Department of Human Services cases
  • Provide advice and referral to individuals not accepted as clients and make appropriate referrals to additional or alternative legal services and to necessary social services
  • Use a trauma-informed approach to assist individuals with chronic health conditions, including HIV, who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to apply for disability benefits from SSA including: Interview individuals to learn about their background and functional limitations; Help individuals complete and submit SSA forms; Obtain and review medical, vocational, and other relevant records; Write narrative medical summary reports (MSR); Submit MSR to medical providers for signature; Establish contact with and advocate for clients
  • Use a trauma-informed approach to assist individuals whose initial disability applications have been denied in submitting Requests for Reconsideration and supporting documentation to SSA
  • Maintain contact with SSA and the Disability Determination Service
  • Complete the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) online SOAR training and participate in periodic SOAR follow-up training
  • Engage with community to increase referrals and educate clients and social service and medical professionals about the SSA disability determination process
  • Establish and maintain partnerships with organizations serving people with chronic health conditions who are homeless or at risk of homelessness
  • Assist with grant reporting
  • Maintain up-to-date knowledge on relevant issues
  • Make appropriate referrals inside Legal Aid Chicago and to external partners
  • Track data related to grant and assist on related reporting
  • Assist with outreach and trainings
  • Maintain case files and accurate timekeeping in electronic case management system
  • Support attorneys in all stages of litigation
  • Assist attorneys with administrative tasks and,
  • 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 Paralegal position begins at $44,863 and increases for every relevant year of 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
  • Applicants must have a Bachelors degree or be a Certified Recovery Support Specialist or Certified Peer Recovery Specialist
  • Preferred applicants will have familiarity with public benefits program eligibility criteria, strong oral and written communication skills, highly developed organizational skills, be collegial, work well with teams and independently, and be able to work well under pressure
  • The successful applicant will demonstrate a commitment to and experience with interacting with people living in poverty, trauma survivors, and people with physical, mental and cognitive disabilities
  • Spanish proficiency is a plus

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, or ex-offender status, or any other protected status.

If an accommodation is needed to complete this application, contact Human Resources at humanresources@legalaidchicago.org.

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.

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