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Client Services
The legal services program serves individuals
who are HIV-positive, generally in matters related to their
diagnosis, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation,
gender identity, age, religion, national origin or immigration
status. In all other cases, legal services may represent families,
domestic partners or friends of HIV-positive individuals,
but only to the extent that their interests are congruent
with the interests of the HIV-positive individual.
Because Whitman-Walker Clinic also provides
certain medical and psychosocial services to the gay, lesbian,
bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) communities related to sexual
orientation or gender status, the legal services program also
provides limited pro bono legal assistance to non-HIV-positive
GLBT individuals who cannot afford a private lawyer and whose
legal problems are related to GLBT health issues. For instance,
in the immigration area, we represent non-HIV-positive individuals
seeking asylum or other relief from deportation because of
persecution based on sexual orientation or gender status in
their home countries.
Legal services are available to residents
of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area at the 1701 14th
St., N.W., office. Please call 202-939-7627 to speak with
a legal services program staff member about your legal matter.
Scope of Our Practice
Clients reach us in a number of ways. Many
clients are referred through other programs of WWC, such as
medical, case management or mental health services. Clients
also may reach the legal services program directly, because
some legal clients may need or want no other services and
because of the importance of attorney–client confidentiality.
We receive referrals from sources outside WWC, especially
social workers at hospitals and public health clinics, other
HIV/AIDS organizations and private physicians. Clients also
hear of our services through advertisements and notices in
community publications and through word of mouth. HIV-positive
individuals are eligible for our legal services regardless
of whether they participate in other WWC programs.
Since 1986, Whitman-Walker Clinic Legal Services has provided pro bono legal advice and representation to many thousands of people living with HIV/AIDS throughout the Washington metropolitan area. In calendar year 2006, our staff and volunteers assisted approximately 900 new clients on more than 1,700 new legal matters.
We provide client services, including counseling,
advocacy and representation in the following areas:
- Discrimination and reasonable accommodation:
counseling, advocacy and representation in proceedings involving
discrimination based on disability or perceived disability
in employment, health care, education, public accommodations
and housing.
- Insurance: counseling, advocacy and representation
involving health and disability insurance such as obtaining
insurance, obtaining continuation and conversion coverage,
contesting denials of claims, cancellation and rescission.
- Immigration: counseling, advocacy and
representation for foreign nationals living with HIV/AIDS
and GLBT foreign nationals on U.S. immigration laws, and
assistance applying for immigration relief in the U.S. Services
include applications for lawful permanent residency, HIV
waivers and representation in asylum petitions.
- Public benefits: counseling, advocacy
and representation for clients seeking access to public
assistance programs, including Social Security Disability
Insurance, Supplemental Security Income, Medicaid, Food
Stamps, transitional assistance for SSI applicants, Temporary
Assistance to Needy Families, and AIDS-specific benefit
programs. We provide assistance with initial applications
and with appeals of denials of benefits.
- Return to work: counseling for clients
who wish to return to work after leaving their job as a
result of HIV-related disability; advising clients on matters
such as maintaining Social Security disability and Medicaid
/ Medicare benefits during a trial work period, the effects
of returning to work on private disability benefits, obtaining
benefits through the job and securing reasonable accommodations.
- Wills and powers of attorney: counseling
and preparation of simple wills, general powers of attorney,
powers of attorney for health care, living wills and declarations
as to the disposition of bodily remains.
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