SSI Disability Paralegals – (3) POSITIONS
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Type: Full Time
Min. Experience: Entry Level
Community Legal Services, Inc. of Philadelphia (CLS) is a non-profit public interest agency providing free civil legal services to low-income Philadelphia residents. As the largest provider of free civil legal services in the Philadelphia area, CLS is both locally and nationally renowned as a premier legal services provider dedicated to ensuring access to justice for all low-income people and communities. CLS has eight legal units and several projects covering a wide range of civil legal services.
CLS is seeking three (3) full-time paralegals for its SSI Unit. The SSI Unit helps children and adults prove eligibility for SSI, a Social Security income program for people with disabilities. SSI is a vitally important piece of the American safety net. It helps families stay together, promotes housing stability, and reduces incarceration. SSI is hard to access and its rules are very complex. The Social Security Administration is on the front lines of recent federal government budget cuts, staff reductions, and technology changes, so these challenges are only increasing.
CLS’s SSI Unit plays a leading role, in Philadelphia and nationally, in protecting the SSI program and making it more accessible. SSI attorneys and paralegals work in partnership to provide full legal representation at all stages of the SSI application process, including during informal disability reviews, at formal administrative hearings, and in federal court. Advocates also represent current SSI recipients whose disabilities are under review by SSA. CLS prioritizes cases for people with serious behavioral health conditions, including trauma; immigrants and people who are limited English proficient; and children. Advocates practice holistically, ensuring that clients are connected to medical care, school supports, and other resources. The SSI Unit also provides trainings and outreach to community groups on SSI eligibility rules, and advocates for policy reforms that make the SSI program work better for everyone.
JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
While the duties of the paralegal position will vary based on the needs of the SSI Unit, the position will involve:
To Apply: CLS will accept applications on a rolling basis until the position is filled. But applicants should apply by Monday June 30, 2025 to receive first round consideration. You can submit your application on CLS’s website online at https://clsphila.org/careers/ OR "Apply Now". You can also reach out to Crystal Stackhouse (Hiring Coordinator) [email protected].
What to Include in your application: Please include a cover letter, resume, three professional references (at least two being past or current supervisors) identifying your relationship, and one brief writing sample (10 pages or less).
CLS values a diverse work environment and strongly encourages women, people of color, people who identify as LGBTQ, people with disabilities, people who have experienced poverty or homelessness and people who have had prior contact with the juvenile, criminal, or child welfare systems to apply. CLS invites all applicants to include in their cover letter a statement about how your unique background and/or experiences might contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our staff and legal services practice.
Compensation: This is a full-time position covered by the collective bargaining agreement between CLS and the National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees, AFL-CIO and its affiliate District 1199C. The current minimum starting salary is $45,970 for entry-level applicants, which increases with relevant years of experience and according to the provisions of the current collective bargaining agreement. CLS asks for a minimum two-year commitment from individuals who accept an offer of employment for a paralegal position.
Benefits: CLS offers a very generous and competitive benefits package including 100% employer paid medical (including gender affirming care), life, and short/long-term disability benefits, a 403(b)-retirement plan with employer contribution, and a generous leave package, including 13 paid holidays and five personal holidays each year.
Community Legal Services, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants of all diverse backgrounds to apply. CLS does not discriminate in the selection of employees on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, sexual identity, genetics, age, national origin, disability, or veteran status. In addition to federal law requirements, CLS complies with all applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall and transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
CLS is seeking three (3) full-time paralegals for its SSI Unit. The SSI Unit helps children and adults prove eligibility for SSI, a Social Security income program for people with disabilities. SSI is a vitally important piece of the American safety net. It helps families stay together, promotes housing stability, and reduces incarceration. SSI is hard to access and its rules are very complex. The Social Security Administration is on the front lines of recent federal government budget cuts, staff reductions, and technology changes, so these challenges are only increasing.
CLS’s SSI Unit plays a leading role, in Philadelphia and nationally, in protecting the SSI program and making it more accessible. SSI attorneys and paralegals work in partnership to provide full legal representation at all stages of the SSI application process, including during informal disability reviews, at formal administrative hearings, and in federal court. Advocates also represent current SSI recipients whose disabilities are under review by SSA. CLS prioritizes cases for people with serious behavioral health conditions, including trauma; immigrants and people who are limited English proficient; and children. Advocates practice holistically, ensuring that clients are connected to medical care, school supports, and other resources. The SSI Unit also provides trainings and outreach to community groups on SSI eligibility rules, and advocates for policy reforms that make the SSI program work better for everyone.
JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
While the duties of the paralegal position will vary based on the needs of the SSI Unit, the position will involve:
- Client interviews and other frequent communications with clients and government agencies, both verbally and in writing, about issues that arise during the clients’ cases; and
- Identifying, requesting, pursuing, tracking, and organizing medical and other evidence to support clients’ SSI claims.
- High school diploma or GED;
- Demonstrated history of exceptional organizational skills;
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and take initiative;
- Demonstrated reliability;
- Ability to learn and retain a large volume of complex material;
- Strong writing and other communication skills;
- Strong interpersonal skills;
- Ability to interact well in multicultural environments;
- Commitment to racial and disability justice; and
- Computer literacy, including proficiency in using Microsoft Office.
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field or Associate’s degree in Paralegal Studies;
- Experience working at a social services agency, at a nonprofit advocacy organization, or in a health care setting;
- Proficiency in a world language, with a strong preference for Spanish proficiency; and
- Client interviewing skills.
To Apply: CLS will accept applications on a rolling basis until the position is filled. But applicants should apply by Monday June 30, 2025 to receive first round consideration. You can submit your application on CLS’s website online at https://clsphila.org/careers/ OR "Apply Now". You can also reach out to Crystal Stackhouse (Hiring Coordinator) [email protected].
What to Include in your application: Please include a cover letter, resume, three professional references (at least two being past or current supervisors) identifying your relationship, and one brief writing sample (10 pages or less).
CLS values a diverse work environment and strongly encourages women, people of color, people who identify as LGBTQ, people with disabilities, people who have experienced poverty or homelessness and people who have had prior contact with the juvenile, criminal, or child welfare systems to apply. CLS invites all applicants to include in their cover letter a statement about how your unique background and/or experiences might contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our staff and legal services practice.
Compensation: This is a full-time position covered by the collective bargaining agreement between CLS and the National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees, AFL-CIO and its affiliate District 1199C. The current minimum starting salary is $45,970 for entry-level applicants, which increases with relevant years of experience and according to the provisions of the current collective bargaining agreement. CLS asks for a minimum two-year commitment from individuals who accept an offer of employment for a paralegal position.
Benefits: CLS offers a very generous and competitive benefits package including 100% employer paid medical (including gender affirming care), life, and short/long-term disability benefits, a 403(b)-retirement plan with employer contribution, and a generous leave package, including 13 paid holidays and five personal holidays each year.
Community Legal Services, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants of all diverse backgrounds to apply. CLS does not discriminate in the selection of employees on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, sexual identity, genetics, age, national origin, disability, or veteran status. In addition to federal law requirements, CLS complies with all applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall and transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
