Mike Sprague, a rising second year law student at the Elon University School of Law and a summer intern in the Legal Aid of NC-Greensboro Office, questioned why a client, who had worked full time before termination and for whom we had just won an unemployment benefits case was only eligible for 13 weeks of benefits at the rate of $75 per week rather than a larger benefit amount for the full 26 weeks.

This simple question lead Mike to research the issue and discover that the client's former employer had improperly and significantly under-reported wages that the client had earned as a truck driver. A letter with the client's W-2 form and pay check stubs showing average monthly wages of $4,000 was sent to the Employment Security Commission who revised the benefits calculations. This client's weekly benefit amount has been increased to $494 and he will receive this amount for 26 weeks. This means over $9,000 of extra benefits for the client (assuming he doesn't find a job before the 26 weeks expire) for the initial period. Moreover, he will certainly be eligible for whatever extensions are available.

Congratulations to Mike for making such a positive difference in the life of his client—and to the Elon University School of Law and the LANC-Greensboro Office for producing a great future legal champion for financially disadvantaged persons.