AARP Schedule H Legal Associate Salary in the United States

Founded in 1975, Legal Counsel for the Elderly champions the dignity and rights of vulnerable Washington, D.C. seniors, 60 and older, providing free legal and social work services to those in need — empowering, defending and protecting.

LCE staff help 6,000+ clients each year in many areas of civil law. Attorneys represent seniors facing foreclosures, evictions, and consumer fraud. LCE handles Medicaid and Social Security cases, provides benefits checkups to assure that seniors and Veterans are receiving the benefits they are due, prepares Wills and Powers of Attorney, and educates elders in ways to avoid Medicare and Medicaid fraud. Clients come to LCE directly through the LCE Legal Hotline, they are referred by partner organizations and the courts, and LCE attorneys, plus its more than 800 volunteers, are regularly in the community meeting elders at senior centers and faith-based organizations. LCE also accommodates homebound seniors by providing legal services in their homes.

LCE houses the office of the D.C. Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, which advocates on behalf of seniors in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and those receiving home health care. LCE has a strong relationship with a number of pro bono law firms that assist staff with approximately 600 cases a year. LCE staff testify and make recommendations regarding laws before the D.C. Council that affect seniors, and have been instrumental in bettering conditions for D.C. seniors through assistance with local legislation. More than 40 years after its founding, LCE continues to develop innovative, cost-effective ways to deliver legal services, serving as a model for organizations around the country. LCE is incorporated as a 501(c) (3) and is an affiliate of AARP.

The Schedule H Legal Associate:  coordinates a program to assist clients in obtaining the DC Schedule H tax credit of up to $1,200 per year; conducts clinics at law firms, including training and supervising pro bono attorneys; oversees, with supervisor, extensive use of law student volunteers; engages in outreach efforts to educate seniors about Schedule H and promote applying for the tax credit; is responsible, with supervisor, for quality control of program including effective communication with clients, accurate preparation of forms, accuracy of legal information and advice provided, tracking hundreds of cases, and follow through to ensure clients receive the credit (often a direct cash payment) to which they are entitled; and assists with other special projects as assigned.

-Develops and implements ongoing comprehensive community education and outreach plan for Schedule H and other LCE services as appropriate. Places special emphasis on hard-to-reach clients (e.g., limited English-speaking, disabled, homebound).

-Screens homeowner and renter clients for eligibility through detailed telephone interviews, after conducting initial research through the Office of Tax & Revenue (OTR) property tax database and LCE legal server database, identifying clients for whom a standalone Schedule H application is appropriate and likely to succeed.

-Plans, develops and conducts LCE Schedule H Pro Bono Clinics. In preparation, works with law firms to obtain appropriate rooms for clinics, adequate law firm staffing for clinics, document preparation for clinics, conflict checking, and supplies for clinics. 

-Conducts clinics, providing training and supervision of pro bono lawyers and review of completed applications.

-Conducts Schedule H interviews of clients who need appointments at the LCE office due to emergencies or other reasons, gathering needed documentation and filing applications.

-Conducts Schedule H interviews of homebound clients who need appointments at their residences in D.C., gathering needed documentation and filing applications.

-Follows up with clients to obtain any needed documentation and files completed applications with OTR, obtaining confirmation of receipt.

-Tracks all applications submitted to ensure clients receive the money to which they are entitled. Contacts clients to be sure they received the awarded benefits. If benefits are denied or delayed, follow up with OTR to determine the reason, and if appropriate, seek assistance from OTR supervisors to obtain a favorable outcome.

-Helps train and supervise volunteer law students, paralegals and attorneys to assist with screening, interviews, documentation preparation, filing, and follow up with OTR. Helps ensure the volunteers give legally accurate information to clients and responds to volunteer attorney and paralegals’ concerns.

-Updates Schedule H manual for volunteer attorneys, paralegals and law students.

-Refers clients with high tax debt to the LCE Pro Bono Project, helping clients obtain documentation of the amount of the debt. Refers clients with all other unrelated legal problems to the LCE Hotline.

-Utilizes Language Line, as needed, to assist clients who do not speak English.

-Troubleshoots where issues arise and refers to the supervisor where appropriate.

-Administers computerized tracking process and ensures that all data is accurately and completely entered into the database.

-Completes reports as needed for these projects.

-Participates in meetings with OTR to discuss Schedule H changes and areas for improvements.

-Coordinates with AARP Foundation Property Tax Aide and other community tax preparation providers by providing trainings, sharing information, and referring clients as needed. 

-Conducts an annual training for social workers from DC’s lead social services agencies to inform on the availability of Schedule H and how to identify and refer clients. 

-Exhibits AARP values at all times.

- Completion of a Juris Doctorate degree and a member of the DC Bar or eligible to waive in;

- Strong problem-solving and multi-tasking skills;

- Good organizational and communication skills;

- Good public speaking skills and interest in conducting training for others; 

- Demonstrated commitment to poverty/public interest law;

- Amenability to local travel;

- Commitment to the goals and priorities of AARP and to the representation of elderly individuals with low incomes.

-Spanish speaking a plus but not required.

-Knowledge of the District of Columbia elder and poverty law as well as legal and social service communities preferred.

AARP offers competitive benefits with a 401K, 100% company funded pension plan, health, dental, vision and life insurance, STD/LTD, paid vacation and sick, and other benefits.

AARP is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture.  AARP does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, color, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.