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.