Paralegal (Public Benefits Practice Group)

For more than 40 years LAF has provided people living in poverty in metropolitan Chicago with comprehensive free legal services to resolve non-criminal issues. Each year LAF’s more than 80 full-time attorneys and staff help resolve civil legal problems, including domestic violence, consumer fraud, and unfair evictions. Their work impacts about 40,000 people each year. Position: LAF seeks one paralegal to enroll individuals and families who live in Chicago into public benefit “safety net” programs, including TANF, All Kids and Family Care Health Insurance, Medicaid, and SNAP.

Responsibilities: The paralegal will work out of a City of Chicago Community Service Center, specifically the King Center (4314 S. Cottage Grove, Chicago, IL 60653) and the Trina Davila Center (4300 W. North Avenue, Chicago, IL 60639). Under the supervision of a Supervisory Attorney and as part of a paralegal team, the paralegal will screen individuals and families for assistance in applying for appropriate public benefit programs, provide advice on existing applications and redeterminations, engage in informal advocacy with the local FCRC on behalf of clients, and provide follow-up services and referrals as needed. Responsibilities include developing knowledge of the public benefit programs available, interviewing clients to obtain necessary information, and assisting with the preparation and submission of applications and other forms including appeals and redeterminations. Paralegal will also work closely with LAF attorneys to identify clients with appealable issues and present those cases at a weekly meeting. In addition, the paralegal will conduct outreach and community education in the communities where the City of Chicago offices are located.