Health and Disability Benefits Staff Attorney

Position Description The Virginia Poverty Law Center (VPLC) seeks a Staff Attorney to join our Center for Healthy Communities with a focus on Medicaid children’s coverage and disability waivers and Social Security Administration programs. The Staff Attorney will join a team of attorneys, advocates, policy specialists, and health coverage navigators dedicated to strengthening access to health care and essential public benefits for individuals and families with low income. The Staff Attorney will develop substantive expertise in Virginia and federal Medicaid and public benefit policy affecting children and people with disabilities and use that expertise to identify emerging issues, support advocates across Virginia, and advance policy and systems changes. Areas of work may include Social Security, Medicaid and FAMIS eligibility, enrollment and renewals, terminations of coverage, access to medically necessary services, due process and appeal rights, disability-related eligibility pathways, and access to Medicaid waiver services and supports. We welcome candidates with a strong commitment to remove systemic barriers that prevent low-income children, families, and people with disabilities from accessing health care and community-based services. Candidates may demonstrate relevant competencies through professional, volunteer, community-based, or lived experience. Assist local legal aid attorneys around Virginia with their public benefits casework which includes advice, research, and training. The staff attorney position may involve co-counseling on systemic advocacy issues or complex legal aid cases. However, VPLC is not a direct services organization and most legal work will be systemic or involve advising on cases rather than providing direct representation. Lobbying on public benefit issues at the Virginia General Assembly and advocating for state and federal regulatory and policy changes that benefit low-income Virginians. Lobbying includes: monitoring legislative proposals, proposing legislation, working directly with senators and delegates on bills, speaking at committee, and working in coalition to build support for laws that benefit low-income families. Build and maintain relationships with legal aid organizations, disability advocates, health care organizations, community-based organizations, state agencies, and other partners working on Medicaid and Social Security access Conduct training and outreach to legal aids, pro bono attorneys, community-based organizations, and community groups. Ensure grant deliverables are met under various grants and prepare all necessary narratives and reports for grant funding. Perform other related duties that advance VPLC’s mission and the work of the Center for Healthy Communities.