Description:
The Legal Advocacy Program provides two kinds of legal services through the Disability Advocacy Program (DAP) and the Equal Access to Healthcare Program (EAHP). Depending on your needs and circumstances, you may be eligible for one or both of these services.Mission Statement: Our mission is to help people affected by HIV/AIDS, substance use, or mental health issues better realize opportunities by providing integrated legal, social and health services that address the broad range of social risk factors that impact wellness and limit potential.
Values that Guide Us: Accountability, Honesty, Integrity, Diversity & Inclusion, Respect
Position Overview:
A Non-Profit Organization seeks a Staff Attorney to join its Legal Advocacy program, providing direct representation to low-income individuals in accessing Social Security disability benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI), and healthcare programs in San Francisco.
The Equal Access to Healthcare Program (EAHP) Staff Attorney provides legal representation and consultation to low-income clients living with HIV and/or mental health issues to access healthcare (Medi-Cal, Medicare, Covered CA, Office of AIDS programs, etc.) and public disability benefits (SSI/SSDI, CAPI, etc.) Additional populations served include LGBTQIA+, homeless and/or at risk of homelessness, non-English speaking, and other at-risk communities.
Position Responsibilities Include:
- Assessment: Performs individual assessment of needs related to healthcare access and disability benefits. Helps identify and assist in breaking barriers to health care access and benefit entitlements, including accessing medical care, treatments and psychiatric and/or psychological evaluations.
- Benefits Advocacy: Provides direct legal assistance and representation to clients. Helps clients apply for public disability benefits such as SSI, SSDI, and CAPI as well as address other health insurance and related issues including Medicare and Medi-Cal. Advocates for clients throughout the claims process, negotiating with SSA, disability analysts, Medi-Cal, and Covered California as needed. Develops/obtains supporting medical evidence. Files appeals and appropriate paperwork.
- Hearings: Prepares cases for appeal and appears before Administrative Law Judges or other tribunals. Files documents for appeals process. Develops/obtains supporting evidence. Performs legal research. Writes pre- and post-hearing legal briefs. Prepares clients for testimony. Prepares questions for cross-examination of expert witnesses. Appeals unfavorable decisions to Appeals Council or other appellate bodies.
- File Management: Creates and maintains confidential client files detailing documents and laws/policies reviewed, correspondence prepared on behalf of the client, and case progress. Updates and maintains client records in case management and billing database.
- Training: Provides consumer and provider trainings/outreach as requested.
- Special Projects: Assists with special projects as assigned.
Qualifications:
- Active member of the California State Bar in good standing.
- Two (2) years of public benefits and/or healthcare advocacy experience preferred.
- Ability in maintaining computer databases on a regular basis with minimal supervision.
- Familiarity with mental health issues, HIV/AIDS, and state and federal laws regarding disability benefits (SSI, SSDI, OA-HIPP, ADAP, Covered California, Medi-Cal, Medicare, etc.) preferred.
- Ability to be sensitive to, and work well with, low-income individuals, people with mental health impairments, people living with HIV/AIDS, people of color, active drug users, people with a history of homelessness or incarceration, and people in the LGBTQIA+ community is essential.
- Ability to work effectively with service providers.
- Ability to occasionally lift 10-20 pounds.
- Knowledge of Harm Reduction theory and practice as applied to legal services preferred.
- Bilingual and bicultural (Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, Arabic, Vietnamese or Russian) highly desirable.
