Volunteer Intake Guide
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VOLUNTEER INTAKE GUIDE 2018 Edition Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless True Reformer Building Third Floor 1200 U Street, NW Washington, DC 20009 202-328-5500 This Intake Guide is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as or substitute for legal advice in any particular situation. Legal Clinic attorneys should be consulted for legal advice. Acknowledgments Many thanks to Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP for the production and printing of this guide. Thanks also to Tory Lauterbach of Wright & Talisman PC, for authoring our chapter on Veterans Benefits, and to students at DePaul University College of Law, for editing assistance. Legal Assistance Project Staff Contacts Akela D. Crawford, Esq., Staff Attorney (202) 328-1260/ [email protected] Dea Lott, Esq., Case Counseling Attorney (202) 328-5512 / [email protected] Case Counseling for Unity Health Care NW Scott McNeilly, Esq., Case Counseling Attorney (202) 328-5508 / [email protected] Case Counseling for Miriam’s Kitchen, Mobile Team Becky O’Brien, Esq., Case Counseling Attorney (202) 328-5507 / [email protected] Case Counseling for Street Sense, Thrive DC Ann Marie Staudenmaier, Esq., Case Counseling Attorney (202) 328-5509 / [email protected] Case Counseling for So Others Might Eat (SOME), Minnesota Avenue Unity NE Kelsey Vaughan, Coordinator of Volunteers (202) 328-1024 / [email protected] Intake site assignments for the case-counseling attorneys may change throughout the year. We will be sure to let you know if any such changes occur. CHAPTER SUMMARY A: Overview of Volunteering B: Public Benefits C: Veterans Issues D: Shelter and Supportive Housing E: DC Housing Authority Programs F: Police Issues and Street Rights G: Consumer Issues H: Emergency Assistance (Rent, Security Deposit, Mortgage, Utilities, Furniture) I: Identification J: Healthcare K: Mental Health L: Elderly M: Small Claims N: Immigration O: Employment P: Family Law Q: Criminal Defense R: Landlord-Tenant S: Affirmative Discrimination T: Probate U: Income Tax V: Tort Claims W: Discrimination Based on Criminal History X: Intake Interview Essentials i TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER A: OVERVIEW OF VOLUNTEERING ............................................................ A-2 The Role of the Volunteer ............................................................................................... A-2 Overview of Legal Clinic Cases ..................................................................................... A-3 Before Intake ................................................................................................................... A-5 New Volunteer Training ..................................................................................... A-5 Intake Guide ........................................................................................................ A-5 Intake Session Sign-Up (General Support) ......................................................... A-5 At Intake.......................................................................................................................... A-5 Set-Up ................................................................................................................. A-5 Begin the Interview ............................................................................................. A-6 Develop a Plan of Action and Complete an Intake Form ................................... A-6 Copy Client Documents ...................................................................................... A-8 Sign Release Forms............................................................................................. A-8 Give Business Card ............................................................................................. A-8 After Intake ..................................................................................................................... A-8 Send Intake Forms and Documents to the Legal Clinic ..................................... A-8 Check for Conflicts ............................................................................................. A-9 Follow-Up ..................................................................................................................... A-10 Opening Letter to Client ................................................................................... A-10 Engagement Agreement .................................................................................... A-10 Problem Solving, Advocacy, Information, and Referral Services .................... A-10 Keep the Client Informed about the Case ......................................................... A-10 Refer Cases in Extenuating Circumstances ...................................................... A-10 Case Status Reports........................................................................................... A-11 Close Case ......................................................................................................... A-11 Case Selection Guidelines............................................................................................. A-12 Legal Issues that Volunteers Generally Handle ................................................ A-12 Legal Issues that Volunteers Typically Refer to Other Agencies ..................... A-12 Other Issues ................................................................................................................... A-12 Ethical Responsibilities ..................................................................................... A-12 Malpractice Insurance ....................................................................................... A-13 Dismissal of a Volunteer ................................................................................... A-13 Interpreter Service ............................................................................................. A-13 SSI Representative Payee/Powers of Attorney ................................................. A-13 Compensation: Expenses, Fees, and Client Gifts ............................................. A-13 Grievance Procedure ......................................................................................... A-14 Sample Letters and Releases ......................................................................................... A-14 CHAPTER B: PUBLIC BENEFITS ........................................................................................B-2 Overview ..........................................................................................................................B-2 Food Resources ................................................................................................................B-2 Food Stamps/Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (“SNAP”) ...............B-3 Food Stamps/SNAP: Intake Interview Essentials ................................................B-8 Women, Infants, and Children (“WIC”) Nutrition Program ................................B-9 ii Supplemental Food ..............................................................................................B-9 Baby Hotline ......................................................................................................B-10 DHS Income Resources .................................................................................................B-10 Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (“TANF”) ......................................B-10 TANF: Intake Interview Essentials ....................................................................B-15 Interim Disability Assistance (“IDA”) ...............................................................B-16 IDA: Intake Interview Essentials .......................................................................B-20 DHS Medical Coverage Resources ................................................................................B-21 Medical Assistance / Medicaid ..........................................................................B-21 Children’s Health Insurance Program (“CHIP”) DC Healthy Families ............B-23 DC Healthcare Alliance .....................................................................................B-24 Miscellaneous DHS Benefits .........................................................................................B-25 Burial Assistance ...............................................................................................B-25 Department of Human Services (“DHS”) Service Centers ............................................B-26 Appeal and Fair Hearing Process for DHS Administered Benefits ...............................B-27 Additional Medical Resources .......................................................................................B-29 Medicare ............................................................................................................B-29 AIDS Drug Assistance Program (“ADAP”) ......................................................B-31 Social Security ...............................................................................................................B-31 Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”) .............................................................B-31 SSI: Intake Interview Essentials ........................................................................B-37 Social Security Disability Insurance and Retirement ........................................B-38 Social Security Survivors Benefits ....................................................................B-38 CHAPTER