Job Description
Job Description
PRC’s legal team provides Social Security disability and healthcare advocacy to San Francisco residents. Legal services, using a harm reduction model, are provided to the most vulnerable populations in the community, including the unhoused, non-English speaking, active drug-using, and other marginalized individuals. In-house legal services are available in English, Spanish, and Chinese. Interpretation services are available for other languages.
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
The Equal Access to Healthcare Program (EAHP) Supervising Staff Attorney manages the EAHP team, supervises and trains program staff, and oversees related contract obligations. This position also provides direct legal representation to low-income individuals living with HIV and / or mental health issues to secure Social Security disability benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI), and health insurance benefits. Additional populations served include LGBTQIA , homeless and / or at risk of homelessness, non-English speaking, and other at-risk communities. This position also conducts and coordinates community outreach and trainings.
Position Responsibilities Include :
Management
- Assumes responsibility for the program in the absence of the Managing Legal Director.
- Supervises, evaluates, and trains designated staff attorneys in alignment with program guidelines and provides support for the legal work of the Legal Advocacy Program and Equal Access to Healthcare Program (EAHP).
- Leads case conferences with specified staff, individual staff meetings, EAHP team meetings, and file reviews to ensure contract compliance.
- Assigns and monitors EAHP cases to ensure timely and effective case management.
- Supports the preparation and submission of SF HIV FOG and EAHP annual reports to maintain compliance with contractual requirements.
- Engages with the community and community partners by attending, leading, and / or supervising meetings, outreach efforts, and developing training sessions as needed or directed.
- Resolves client conflicts and complaints.
- Assumes responsibilities for emergency drop-ins, intakes, hearings, and case reassignments.
- Collaborates with the Managing Legal Director and Chief of Programs to achieve programmatic goals, including units of service, number of intakes, trainings, marketing and community outreach.
Benefits Advocacy
Assessment : Performs individual assessment of needs related to public disability benefits and healthcare access. Helps identify and assist in breaking barriers to benefits, including Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) / Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI), Medi-Cal, Medicare, private insurance through Covered California, AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), Office of AIDS Health Insurance Premium Payment (OA-HIPP), etc. Works with clients using a Harm Reduction approach.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, Covered California, Office of AIDS, or other government or private entities 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. Conducts hearings. 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 comprehensive client records in case management and billing database.Training and Community Engagement : Plans, develops, and presents trainings for staff, consumers, and providers. Participates in community meetings and forums.Policy Analysis and Outreach : Identifies and analyzes changes in public benefits and healthcare laws and policies that affect people living with HIV / AIDS and other vulnerable populations at the local, state and federal levels. Collects and analyzes data, produces and presents reports. Participates in community efforts such as provider meetings in improving healthcare access for people living with HIV / AIDS; plans and performs regular, comprehensive community outreach.Program Coordination : Provides administrative support to meet overall program goals and expectations. Participates in community meetings as needed. Responsible for ensuring that all program requirements are met, including data collection, analysis, and reporting.Special Projects : Assists with special projects as necessary.Qualifications :
Active member in good standing of the California State Bar required.At least two (2) years of experience in healthcare advocacy and / or public benefits law, or four (4) years of full-time legal work experience.Advanced skills in one-on-one public benefits advocacy and representation.Demonstrated ability in management, supervision, and training.Demonstrated ability to manage database.Demonstrated ability in addressing escalated client situations.Superior skill in database management and file maintenance.Demonstrated ability to work effectively as a team.Advanced knowledge in benefits counseling related to HIV / AIDS, mental health issues, and state and federal disability benefits.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.Advanced knowledge of mental health, HIV / AIDS, homelessness issues, and state and federal programs related to disability benefits and healthcare access (OA-HIPP, ADAP, SSI, SSDI, Covered California, Medi-Cal, and Medicare).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.
