Representing the Pro Bono Client: Advocacy Skills for Administrative Hearings 2017 (Free)

Why You Should Attend
The need for pro bono assistance with administrative hearings has never been higher.  Clients who have been denied or are at risk of losing vital benefits, housing subsidies, or are facing school discipline have a right to an administrative hearing, but are often unrepresented in what can be a confusing and adversarial process.

Legal aid services have also suffered funding problems and staffing cuts with reduced ability to meet the demand to represent clients in these cases.  Unfortunately, there are many individuals, who have been unlawfully deprived of critical benefits, are at risk of losing a housing subsidy, have not been paid according to basic wage and hour laws, and who are facing school discipline.  This vulnerable population cannot navigate the administrative hearing process on their own.  As a result, low-income families face hunger, homelessness, economic instability, and inadequate education.

What You Will Learn

• An overview of administrative hearings low-income clients most frequently need involving:
• State public benefits, including General Assistance, CalWORKs, CalFresh, Medi-Cal;
• Federal public benefits, including Supplemental Security Income;
• Federally assisted housing programs, including public housing and Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP or "Section 8");
• Unemployment and state disability insurance claims and overpayments;
• Unpaid wages, and other wage and hour-related rights; and
• School discipline, including representing students at expulsion hearings.
• Best practices and common advocacy strategies, preparation, and procedures for administrative hearings, including:
• Obtaining evidence: informal and formal discovery;
• Drafting position statements/hearing briefs;
• Presenting your case at hearing;and
• Alternatives: Informal resolution
• Rehearings and further appeals
• California law and practice specifics

Register Here