Public Benefits Paralegal - Housing and Disability Advocacy Project (HDAP)
Inland Counties Legal Services, Riverside, CA, United States
Job Title:
Public Benefits Paralegal – Housing and Disability Advocacy Project (HDAP)
Classification:
Non-Exempt
Reports To:
Practice Group Director
Supervises:
N/A
Pay Range:
$24.00 - $42.00 Hourly (Depending on Experience)
Overview Inland Counties Legal Services is seeking a Paralegal to join our Public Benefits Team, specifically for the Housing and Disability Advocacy Project. Inland Counties Legal Services, Inc. is a nonprofit organization providing legal services to vulnerable populations in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. Legal services are provided by attorneys or paralegals under the direct supervision of an attorney. Levels of service include advice and counsel, limited action (includes negotiations and preparation of legal documents), as well as direct representation before administrative law and civil courts. ICLS provides legal assistance in eight practice groups: Elder Law, Consumer, Housing, Family Law, Immigration, Systemic/Impact, Health Law, and Public Benefits. Visit our website at www.inlandlegal.org for more information.
Paralegals also have the opportunity to conduct at least one community legal education presentation per year (preferably on‑site within ICLS’ service area) and attend at least one community resource event if they’re interested. You’ll also get the opportunity to expand your legal network by working collaboratively with Pro‑Bono volunteers and learning about the amazing civil legal aid community – local, statewide, and national.
Qualities
Willingness to learn from and work with others.
Patience with clients and self.
Easy to talk to and approachable for both staff, clients, and the community ICLS serves.
An openness to communicate challenges and an intentional practice to express gratitude to colleagues.
Determination to get the best outcome for clients.
Curiosity and desire to learn about clients’ experiences that led to their legal issue, including systemic injustices that have historically disadvantaged people of color and low‑income individuals.
Passion and dedication to access to justice via civil legal aid.
Hard‑working but values a work‑life balance, has boundaries and respects others’ boundaries.
Has a healthy and sustainable practice to manage stress and vicarious trauma or is willing to learn practices that may be helpful.
Community‑centered; inquisitive.
Passion for learning and personal/professional growth.
Interested in mentorship for self and mentoring others as experience is gained.
Skills
Active listening skills
Trauma‑informed interviewing skills
Trauma‑informed advocacy
Legal writing and research skills
Courtroom/trial experience (will be gained at ICLS for those with limited experience)
Analytical skills
Bilingual preferred
Negotiations
Previous experience conducting street outreach to unhoused folks, or working with similar populations required
Experience conducting a homeless point‑in‑time count for San Bernardino or Riverside county a plus
Job Related Expectations
Legal work expectations: Under the supervision of a licensed attorney in good standing, paralegals will:
Accept HDAP referrals from partner organizations and make contact with the referrals within 72 hours of receipt. Initial communication may be challenging and may require a visit to where the person is located in the community (e.g., motel, encampment, or community partner location).
Travel to client locations weekly including locations not intended for human habitation such as unhoused encampments, parks, and other client‑frequented locations. Safety is important; visits should be halted if the staff member does not feel safe.
Assess HDAP referrals holistically, including assisting in applying for CalFresh, General Relief/General Assistance, CAPI, and obtaining vital documents if needed.
Maintain regular contact with HDAP clients (at least once every 30 days) and assist in developing applications for disability benefits. This includes assessing most recent treatment and medical history, coordinating with the health law team for insurance coverage, challenging denials or delays in treatment, and transportation.
Request and obtain client’s medical records; maintain multiple databases updated with client contact information.
Represent clients in various administrative legal proceedings on public benefits including CalWORKs, CalFresh, General Relief/General Assistance, CAPI, and others.
Represent clients by providing direct representation at all stages of the disability application process, including at administrative hearings with the State Hearings Division. Representation includes negotiating with an Appeals Specialist to avoid the need for a hearing.
Meet clients in the community – conducting intake and outreach activities at various locations including community‑based organizations, homeless shelters, encampments, motels, and client homes. Safety is of utmost importance and these outreaches/intakes are done in partnership with an additional staff member, and sometimes with partner community‑based organizations.
Request and review medical records to determine whether the client has sufficient evidence to apply, maintain, or restore disability benefits with the Social Security Administration.
Become SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) certified, in both adult and child criteria, to aid in the ability to properly assist clients with applying for and obtaining disability‑based benefits.
Become familiar with and follow Legal Services Corporation regulations and other funder requirements as appropriate.
Maintain physical files in compliance with program and funder requirements, including ICLS’ Case Management System Legal Server and San Bernardino County HMIS.
Engage monthly with HDAP partners, provide report‑outs on clients, and coordinate efforts to locate clients if they are not able to be located.
Access to reliable transportation.
Ability to travel to community events in ICLS's service area.
Ability to participate in events outside of regular work hours.
Once trained and experienced in this work, handle a minimum caseload based on tier:
Paralegal I : 0‑2 years of experience; 15‑20 active cases; ~5‑10 inactive cases pending hearings, decisions, or medical records.
Paralegal II : 3‑5 years of experience; 20‑30 active cases; ~10‑15 inactive cases pending hearings, decisions, or medical records.
Paralegal III : 4‑9 years of experience; 30‑40 active cases; ~15‑20 inactive cases pending hearings, decisions, or medical records.
Paralegal IV : 8+ years of experience; 30‑45 active cases; ~15‑20 inactive cases pending hearings, decisions, or medical records.
A special note regarding Paralegal IV: Provides ongoing training in the office and out in the field to new paralegals hired onto the HDAP grant/team by assisting them with client files, Legal Server, Clarity, trackers, HDAP forms, SSA forms, interview memos, outreach/home visits, and other duties as requested.
Comply with MCLE requirements for paralegals in accordance with California Business and Professions Code §6450(d): Every two years, commencing January 1, 2007, a paralegal must certify completion of four hours of mandatory continuing legal education in legal ethics and four hours of mandatory continuing legal education in general law or a specialized area. All courses must meet Section 6070. Certification must be recorded with the supervising attorney; paralegals must keep a record of these certifications.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement Inland Counties Legal Services provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws and regulations. Selections for employment or promotion are made solely on the basis of merit as identified through work experience and education. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. The recognition of our common humanity is the first step in fostering an inclusive environment. Our unique stories and experiences allow us to better solve the challenges that our community faces with the recognition that the sum of our unique differences is greater than our individual parts. Staff approach professional relationships with humility and a desire to have a positive impact on the community we serve.
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Public Benefits Paralegal – Housing and Disability Advocacy Project (HDAP)
Classification:
Non-Exempt
Reports To:
Practice Group Director
Supervises:
N/A
Pay Range:
$24.00 - $42.00 Hourly (Depending on Experience)
Overview Inland Counties Legal Services is seeking a Paralegal to join our Public Benefits Team, specifically for the Housing and Disability Advocacy Project. Inland Counties Legal Services, Inc. is a nonprofit organization providing legal services to vulnerable populations in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. Legal services are provided by attorneys or paralegals under the direct supervision of an attorney. Levels of service include advice and counsel, limited action (includes negotiations and preparation of legal documents), as well as direct representation before administrative law and civil courts. ICLS provides legal assistance in eight practice groups: Elder Law, Consumer, Housing, Family Law, Immigration, Systemic/Impact, Health Law, and Public Benefits. Visit our website at www.inlandlegal.org for more information.
Paralegals also have the opportunity to conduct at least one community legal education presentation per year (preferably on‑site within ICLS’ service area) and attend at least one community resource event if they’re interested. You’ll also get the opportunity to expand your legal network by working collaboratively with Pro‑Bono volunteers and learning about the amazing civil legal aid community – local, statewide, and national.
Qualities
Willingness to learn from and work with others.
Patience with clients and self.
Easy to talk to and approachable for both staff, clients, and the community ICLS serves.
An openness to communicate challenges and an intentional practice to express gratitude to colleagues.
Determination to get the best outcome for clients.
Curiosity and desire to learn about clients’ experiences that led to their legal issue, including systemic injustices that have historically disadvantaged people of color and low‑income individuals.
Passion and dedication to access to justice via civil legal aid.
Hard‑working but values a work‑life balance, has boundaries and respects others’ boundaries.
Has a healthy and sustainable practice to manage stress and vicarious trauma or is willing to learn practices that may be helpful.
Community‑centered; inquisitive.
Passion for learning and personal/professional growth.
Interested in mentorship for self and mentoring others as experience is gained.
Skills
Active listening skills
Trauma‑informed interviewing skills
Trauma‑informed advocacy
Legal writing and research skills
Courtroom/trial experience (will be gained at ICLS for those with limited experience)
Analytical skills
Bilingual preferred
Negotiations
Previous experience conducting street outreach to unhoused folks, or working with similar populations required
Experience conducting a homeless point‑in‑time count for San Bernardino or Riverside county a plus
Job Related Expectations
Legal work expectations: Under the supervision of a licensed attorney in good standing, paralegals will:
Accept HDAP referrals from partner organizations and make contact with the referrals within 72 hours of receipt. Initial communication may be challenging and may require a visit to where the person is located in the community (e.g., motel, encampment, or community partner location).
Travel to client locations weekly including locations not intended for human habitation such as unhoused encampments, parks, and other client‑frequented locations. Safety is important; visits should be halted if the staff member does not feel safe.
Assess HDAP referrals holistically, including assisting in applying for CalFresh, General Relief/General Assistance, CAPI, and obtaining vital documents if needed.
Maintain regular contact with HDAP clients (at least once every 30 days) and assist in developing applications for disability benefits. This includes assessing most recent treatment and medical history, coordinating with the health law team for insurance coverage, challenging denials or delays in treatment, and transportation.
Request and obtain client’s medical records; maintain multiple databases updated with client contact information.
Represent clients in various administrative legal proceedings on public benefits including CalWORKs, CalFresh, General Relief/General Assistance, CAPI, and others.
Represent clients by providing direct representation at all stages of the disability application process, including at administrative hearings with the State Hearings Division. Representation includes negotiating with an Appeals Specialist to avoid the need for a hearing.
Meet clients in the community – conducting intake and outreach activities at various locations including community‑based organizations, homeless shelters, encampments, motels, and client homes. Safety is of utmost importance and these outreaches/intakes are done in partnership with an additional staff member, and sometimes with partner community‑based organizations.
Request and review medical records to determine whether the client has sufficient evidence to apply, maintain, or restore disability benefits with the Social Security Administration.
Become SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) certified, in both adult and child criteria, to aid in the ability to properly assist clients with applying for and obtaining disability‑based benefits.
Become familiar with and follow Legal Services Corporation regulations and other funder requirements as appropriate.
Maintain physical files in compliance with program and funder requirements, including ICLS’ Case Management System Legal Server and San Bernardino County HMIS.
Engage monthly with HDAP partners, provide report‑outs on clients, and coordinate efforts to locate clients if they are not able to be located.
Access to reliable transportation.
Ability to travel to community events in ICLS's service area.
Ability to participate in events outside of regular work hours.
Once trained and experienced in this work, handle a minimum caseload based on tier:
Paralegal I : 0‑2 years of experience; 15‑20 active cases; ~5‑10 inactive cases pending hearings, decisions, or medical records.
Paralegal II : 3‑5 years of experience; 20‑30 active cases; ~10‑15 inactive cases pending hearings, decisions, or medical records.
Paralegal III : 4‑9 years of experience; 30‑40 active cases; ~15‑20 inactive cases pending hearings, decisions, or medical records.
Paralegal IV : 8+ years of experience; 30‑45 active cases; ~15‑20 inactive cases pending hearings, decisions, or medical records.
A special note regarding Paralegal IV: Provides ongoing training in the office and out in the field to new paralegals hired onto the HDAP grant/team by assisting them with client files, Legal Server, Clarity, trackers, HDAP forms, SSA forms, interview memos, outreach/home visits, and other duties as requested.
Comply with MCLE requirements for paralegals in accordance with California Business and Professions Code §6450(d): Every two years, commencing January 1, 2007, a paralegal must certify completion of four hours of mandatory continuing legal education in legal ethics and four hours of mandatory continuing legal education in general law or a specialized area. All courses must meet Section 6070. Certification must be recorded with the supervising attorney; paralegals must keep a record of these certifications.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement Inland Counties Legal Services provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws and regulations. Selections for employment or promotion are made solely on the basis of merit as identified through work experience and education. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. The recognition of our common humanity is the first step in fostering an inclusive environment. Our unique stories and experiences allow us to better solve the challenges that our community faces with the recognition that the sum of our unique differences is greater than our individual parts. Staff approach professional relationships with humility and a desire to have a positive impact on the community we serve.
#J-18808-Ljbffr