Intern, Public Benefits Law Unit (Fall)

Description

Legal Aid DC, a nonprofit organization with an approximately $18 million annual budget and a staff of approximately 125 employees, is seeking a Fall Intern to join our Public Benefits Law Unit. 

Since 1932, Legal Aid has provided civil legal assistance to clients in individual cases and engaged in systemic reform. Currently, we provide individual representation in consumer law, domestic violence/family law, housing, public benefits, and immigration matters. We also help people with the collateral consequences of their involvement with the criminal justice system. From the experiences of our clients, we identify opportunities for law reform, public policy advocacy, and systemic impact and appellate litigation. Legal Aid also administers the DC Resource Bridge, a single access point for legal services in the District. 

Legal Aid believes that meaningful pursuit of our anti-poverty mission requires an unwavering commitment to racial justice and equity. We aspire both to reflect the rich racial diversity of the communities we serve and to value, respect, and empower our staff and clients to be effective agents of change. For more information about Legal Aid please visit our website, www.LegalAidDC.org.

Our work is supported through public and private grants and private fundraising from individuals, law firms, and other contributors.

This internship is for Fall 2026 and will be 12 weeks in duration. Interns at Legal Aid DC have the unique opportunity to receive substantive assignments that will have an immediate impact on our clients. Legal Aid will help Spring semester interns receive course credit for their internships. Interns work out of Legal Aid’s offices in NW DC, with the option to perform some work remotely if approved by their supervisor. Interns should expect to work a minimum of 12 hours a week.

Legal Aid has a broad and energetic Public Benefits Unit where interns have the opportunity to work with a number of attorneys and public benefits specialists. The unit helps families and individuals overcome legal barriers to accessing essential safety net benefits such as Unemployment Insurance, Social Security, SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, and DC HealthCare Alliance. The intern will provide substantive, administrative and project support for the Public Benefits Unit. The intern will report to a staff attorney in the Public Benefits Unit. 

Responsibilities: 

· Performing legal and factual research for unit attorneys

· Writing briefs, client correspondence, and third-party letters/statements, and other forms of legal writing

· Calling local government offices with clients to determine the status of their benefits (including the DC Health Care Ombuds Office, the Department of Human Services, the Social Security Administration) 

· Reviewing medical records

· Drafting flyers or other pro se materials

· Conducting intakes and follow up interviews with applicants 

· Observing the activities of unit attorneys, including administrative hearings and substantive client calls 

· Attending unit meetings and Legal Aid DC all staff meetings

· Observing and taking notes at meetings and hearings for the benefit of the unit 

Requirements: Current law school student or graduate interested in public interest and appellate law.

Scholarship Funding:

Interns will receive a scholarship of up to $2,585 for the 12 week internship. Interns will not receive scholarship funding if they receive outside funding for their internship or they are interning through a school program that precludes them from being paid. 

To Apply:

Legal Aid values an inclusive, diverse workplace and encourages applications from interested persons from diverse backgrounds of any race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, personal appearance, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, or any other legally protected status. 

We strongly encourage applications from people with personal experience with the criminal justice system and/or with lived experiences in the communities we serve. 

Submit your application, cover letter, resume, writing sample and transcript or letter of matriculation here. Applications will be accepted until 5pm EST on June 22, 2026.