Public Benefits Unit Staff Attorney

Declasi; Delaware; On-site; USD 80,574 - 108,775; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous retirement contribution

Full health benefits

Liberal leave policies

Job summary

Declasi is seeking a Public Benefits Unit Staff Attorney to assist Delaware's low-income families in accessing vital public benefits. This role is based in CLASI's three Delaware offices, focusing on advocacy around programs like TANF, SNAP, and Medicaid.

The successful candidate will handle legal advocacy, supervise paralegals, and be involved in community education. Attractive benefits and salary package based on experience, starting at $80,574 annually are offered.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of TANF, SNAP, Medicaid, and other public benefit programs.
• Ability to supervise paralegals and conduct community education.
• Excellent communication and advocacy skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct services to clients in public benefits matters.
• Advocate on systemic state and federal benefits issues.
• Supervise paralegals and conduct community education programs.

Skills

Legal advocacy in public benefits matters

Knowledge of state and federal benefits law

Client representation

Litigation and administrative advocacy

Education

Juris Doctor (law degree)

Job description

POSITION

Public Benefits Unit Staff Attorney

REPORTS TO

Managing Attorney and/or Supervising Attorney

LOCATION

Position can be based in any of CLASI’s three Delaware offices (New Castle, Kent, or Sussex County). Attorneywill handle cases in all three counties as needed.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Commensurate with experience and CLASI’s collective bargaining agreement; excellent benefits. (Details on salary scale and benefits package can be found here .)

DATE OF POSTING

July 6, 2026

CONTEXT OF POSITION

Founded in 1946, Community Legal Aid Society, Inc. (CLASI) is Delaware’s oldest and largest civil legal aid organization and is one of the oldest civil legal aid programs in the United States. Our mission is to achieve equal justice through creative and persistent civil legal advocacy that protects Delawareans’ most fundamental rights and secures access to basic needs. We have 80 staff members working in three offices across the state: Wilmington, Dover, and Georgetown.

CLASI’s Public Benefits Unit helps people to achieve economic stability by ensuring that low-income individuals and families can access critical supports, including food and cash assistance, health insurance, and disability benefits. We provide free legal assistance to people facing denials, reductions, or terminations of their benefits.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide direct services to clients in public benefits matters, including TANF, General Assistance, SNAP, LIHEAP, POC, Medicaid, CHIP, SSI, Social Security Benefits under Title II, Medicare and other benefits (based upon need) issued by the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services or Social Security Administration.
• Provide representation and advocacy on systemic state and federal benefits issues identified by CLASI and assist in identifying such issues. Advocacy may include litigation, legislative and administrative advocacy, serving on advisory groups or organizations, etc.
• Co-counsel and/or assist other legal services staff and private attorneys in cases in area(s) of specialization.
• Maintain a thorough knowledge of state and federal benefits law. Keep abreast of developments in the law.
• Maintain contacts with the most likely referral sources for benefits cases in Delaware.
• Supervise paralegals where appropriate.
• Conduct community education programs.
• Participate inappropriate training.
• Produce and distribute educational materials on benefits issues.
• Provide support on benefits cases for advocates in other CLASI units where appropriate.

CLASI is a unionized program with staff attorneys and non-lawyer advocates represented by a chapter of the National Organization of Legal Services Workers (NOLSW). Salary is based upon a negotiated pay scale with starting salary for a new attorney set at $80,574/per year and approximately $108,775 for an attorney with 10 years credited experience.

CLASI offers a generous contribution to retirement (up to 10% employer contribution to 403(b) plan), full health benefits for employee and family members, and liberal leave policies including 12 weeks paid parental leave. We also provide 10 weeks paid bar leave for those who need to sit for the Delaware Bar exam and cover the costs of bar preparation including a bar review course. Learn more about CLASI’s salary scale and benefits package here .

CLASI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all laws governing fair hiring practices. We welcome applications from interested candidates of all backgrounds.

TO APPLY

Email a cover letter, resume, list of three references, and a writing sample (10 pages or less) to John Whitelaw, CLASI Advocacy Director, at [e-mail]. Applicants with fewer than 10 years of experience should also include a law school transcript.