CLINIC Assistance Act

This bill proposes to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) by establishing a new grant program. The program would provide federal funding to **accredited law schools** to create or expand clinical, externship, or pro bono programs where law students, under attorney supervision, can assist participants and beneficiaries of employee welfare benefit plans. The grants would support legal representation for individuals facing various challenges related to their benefits. This includes assistance with **appeals of benefit denials**, navigating internal claims procedures and external reviews, and pursuing civil enforcement actions under ERISA. Funds can also be used to help individuals in actions brought against them by healthcare providers for unpaid out-of-pocket costs. Each eligible institution could receive up to **$500,000 annually**, with an authorization of $5,000,000 per fiscal year from 2026 through 2030. The bill also mandates **coordination** between the Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) benefit advisors and these law school programs to facilitate assistance and information sharing for challenging denied claims, ultimately enhancing access to benefits for those in need.