The need for pro bono assistance with administrative hearings has never been higher. The increased trend of employers challenging all Unemployment Benefits claims has been combined with the explosion of Unemployment Insurance claims during the recession. Budget cuts and program changes have created a “perfect storm” for public assistance recipients. Several significant changes to key benefits programs have occurred in recent years, imposing new complex rules. At the same time, county staff has shrunk, and experienced workers retired, increasing the occurrence of administrative errors and problems with client’s receipt of the benefits to which they are entitled.
Legal services also suffered staffing cuts, with reduced ability to represent clients in these cases. Unfortunately, many individuals who are owed desperately needed funds, or who have had their benefits improperly lowered or terminated, cannot make it through the appeals system benefit of legal counsel to guide them through the process or to vigorously defend against unlawful actions. As a result, families face the very real possibility of hunger, homelessness, and overall family instability.
This training is designed to help mitigate the crisis by providing attorneys with a basic understanding of common issues and strategies in providing assistance with administrative appeals. The program will focus on California law, but will also cover many topics such as due process and other rights that apply nationwide, therefore advocates from other forums would benefit from the information and attending the program.
What you will learn:
- The types of administrative hearings low income clients most frequently need
- Special focus on SSI, Unemployment, and Social Services (“welfare”) claims
- Common advocacy strategies and procedures for administrative hearings
- Obtaining evidence
- Position statements/hearing briefs
- Presenting your case
- Rehearings and Appeals
- California law and practice specifics
All attorneys interested in or currently assisting pro bono clients with public benefits matters through representation or in clinical settings, law firm pro bono coordinators, managers and partners, law clinic students and faculty, and public interest and non-profit organization attorneys and staff would benefit from attending this program.
Title:
Representing the Pro Bono Client: Advocacy Skills for Administrative Hearings
When/Where:
October 2, 2014
9:00 AM Pacific
Webcast - Register Now!
Also presented in-person in San Francisco.
Speakers:
- Lisa Lunsford ~ Managing Attorney, Homeless Action Center
- Carole Vigne ~ Staff Attorney & Director, Wage Protection Program, Community Legal Services Program, Legal Aid Society - Employment Law Center
- Chair: Jodie Berger ~ Regional Counsel, Legal Services of Northern California
- Program Attorney: Christina Thompson ~ Program Attorney, Practising Law Institute
Credits:
Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Virgin Islands, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
By:
Practising Law Institute
Cost:
Free
More Information And Registration
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