Staff Attorney - Public Benefits

Management Information Exchange; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 70,822 - 77,872; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bilingual stipend

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Vacation and sick leave

Paid holidays

Paid parental leave

403(b) retirement plan

Life insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Internet stipend

Public Service loan forgiveness

Job summary

Legal Aid Chicago is seeking a full-time Staff Attorney in Public Benefits to help clients obtain benefits from SSA and IDHS, with emphasis on nursing home residents needing income to transition. The role reports to a Supervisory Attorney and requires Illinois bar admission or eligibility to waive into Illinois.

The job is based in downtown Chicago with a hybrid work arrangement and travel to outreach events as needed. The salary aligns with the CBA and includes comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Strong oral and written communication skills, highly developed organizational skills, and excellent client counseling abilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain knowledge of SSA/IDHS benefits such as SSI, Social Security Retirement/Disability, Medicaid, and AABD Cash.
• Collaborate with paralegals to assist nursing home residents with income needs.
• Conduct intake and gather facts for comprehensive eligibility assessment for potential clients.
• Apply eligibility standards for SSA/IDHS eligibility and initiate required applications.
• Prepare and submit SSA/IDHS applications and gather supporting medical records.

Skills

Oral & written communication

Organizational skills

Client counseling

Education

Licensed to practice law in Illinois

Job description

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.

Legal Aid Chicago offers a hybrid work environment. Our office, located in downtown Chicago at 200 N. LaSalle Street, is ADA accessible and has convenient access to public transportation and local expressways. This position requires residency in the Chicago metropolitan area of Illinois or Northwest Indiana. This position may require travel to court or other outreach events.

Position: Legal Aid Chicago seeks a full-time Staff Attorney in Public Benefits Practice Group. This position will focus on assisting individuals obtain benefits from the Social Security Administration and Illinois Department of Human Services and will report to a Supervisory Attorney.

Responsibilities:

• Develop, maintain, and grow knowledge of law and procedures related to the benefits administered by the Social Security Administration such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Retirement and Disability Insurance and Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) such as Medicaid, and Aid for the Aged, Blind, Disabled (AABD) Cash.
• Work with paralegals assisting clients who will primarily be nursing home residents who need income to transition out of nursing homes
• Conduct intake and gather facts needed for comprehensive legal assessment for potential clients who will primarily be nursing home residents who need income to transition out of nursing homes
• Apply proper eligibility standards, both financial and subject matters, in accepting clients for service
• Assist clients to apply for benefits from SSA and IDHS including completing and submitting application forms and obtaining, preparing, and submitting other documents such as medical records necessary to establish eligibility
• Undertake activities needed to help clients obtain, maintain, and maximize benefits to which they are entitled, including but not limited to: conducting factual and legal research; devising, updating, and implementing case strategies; preparing and presenting cases for case acceptance decisions; preparing cases for hearings; drafting legal documents; negotiating; presenting evidence; conducting oral advocacy in administrative proceedings; and properly maintaining an ongoing client relationship
• Represent clients who have been denied SSA and IDHS benefits in administrative appeals and in state and federal court appeals.
• Maintain knowledge of the case acceptance criteria of the Public Benefits Practice Group and other Legal Aid Chicago Practice Groups to facilitate appropriate internal referrals
• Participate in training agencies, advocates, clients, or community groups about legal services and rights impacting low-income persons
• Participate in other activities related to poverty law including outreach, publication, permissible legislative and administrative advocacy, media relations, and fundraising
• Work collaboratively with Legal Aid Chicago staff, students, and volunteers to provide comprehensive legal services
• Maintain case files and accurate case notes and timekeeping in electronic case management system
• Track data related to grants and assist with grant reporting
• Maintain proficiency with all equipment, computer hardware and software necessary to perform the duties of the position 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 budgeted salary range for this position is $70,822-$77,872, which reflects 0-10 years of paid, credited experience.

Legal Aid Chicago offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Bilingual Staff Attorneys 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 stipend
• Legal Aid Chicago is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and is an eligible employer for the federal public service loan forgiveness program

Requirements

Legal Aid Chicago encourages applications from individuals with relevant experience, particularly those who have direct experience with communities we serve or perspectives that help us understand and serve our clients better.

• Applicants must either be licensed to practice law in Illinois or be licensed in another state (and able to waive into the Illinois bar or are awaiting results from the July 2026 Illinois bar)
• Strong preference for applicants who have demonstrated interest or experience working with people with disabilities
• Strong oral and written communication skills, highly developed organizational skills, and great client counseling skills and be someone who genuinely enjoys interacting with clients
• The successful applicant will be collegial and demonstrate a commitment to and experience with our client communities and/or people living in poverty, and applicants are encouraged to share that experience in their cover letter
• The applicant’s personal background, experience, or professional background should reflect an ability to work effectively in cross-cultural situations with clients, co-workers and the community we serve
• Applicants must have the ability to work well under pressure
• Applicant must have the ability to work well independently and as part of a team

To Apply:

Submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, 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. Apply here.

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, sexual orientation, age, religion, marital or parental status, alienage, disability, political affiliation or belief, military or military discharge status, ex-offender status, family responsibilities, reproductive health decisions or any other protected status.

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.