Clicklaw Wikibooks - User contributions [en]

I Need to Apply for Disability Benefits

2021-08-06T21:48:19Z

Alison Ward: /* Where to get help */

{{Template:Legal Help Guide TOC}}If you have disabilities and you are financially eligible, you may qualify for disability benefits from the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction ("the Ministry"). There are two main types of disability benefits: disability assistance for people who the Ministry designates as Persons with Disabilities (PWD), and PPMB benefits for applicants who the Ministry designates as Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers to employment (PPMB).

To qualify for the PWD designation:
*you must be at least 18 years old,
*you must have a severe mental or physical impairment that is likely to last at least two years,
*your disability must directly and significantly restrict your ability to do specific daily activities (either continuously or for extended periods of time), and
*you must need significant help from another person to do specific daily activities, or else require help from an assistive device or assistance animal to perform those activities.

If you do not qualify for the PWD designation, you may still qualify for the PPMB designation. There were major changes to the criteria for the PPMB designation in

To qualify for the PPMB designation, you must:
* be at least 19 years old;
• be receiving income assistance or hardship assistance;
• have a health professional confirm that you have a health condition that
(A)has continued for at least one year and is likely to continue for at least 2 more years, or
(B)has occurred frequently in the past year and is likely to continue for at least 2 more years;
• have the Ministry agree that your health condition "seriously impedes" your ability to search for, accept, or continue in employment. "Seriously impedes" means your health condition stops you
from working in any job that would allow you to earn enough money to get off welfare completely.
• You must also have at least one additional barrier that seriously impedes your ability to search for, accept or continue in employment. An additional barrier can be anything from this list:

o experience family violence or have experienced family violence in the past
six months
o are homeless or have been homeless in the past 12 months
o have less than a Grade 12 education
o need English language skills training
o don’t have basic skills for employment
o have a criminal record
o have used emergency health services, mental health service, or addiction
services multiple times in the past 12 months
o are a recent Convention refugee (in the last 24 months) or a refugee claimant
o are a former child in care (Ministry of Children and Family Development or
similar Canadian jurisdiction)
o have other severe barriers to employment listed on your application.

Before July 1, 2019, the Ministry did not consider addiction to be a "health condition" that could qualify someone for the PPMB designation. If you applied for the PPMB designation before July 1, 2019 and were refused, you can apply for the PPMB designation again under the current criteria.
{{Tipsbox
| width = 70%
| tips = The criteria for PWD benefits and PPMB benefits are complicated. Try to get help from an advocate in filling out your application. A lot of people tend to minimize their disabilities. It is much better to put in a very thorough application, than to be turned down and have to appeal.
}}

== First steps ==
See the Legal Services Society publication [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare'']for a summary of the process for applying for PWD benefits and PPMB benefits, at pages 44 to 46.
=== PWD benefits ===

#If you are not already receiving income assistance or PPMB benefits, you must first apply for welfare (see page 44 of the Legal Services Society publication [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''])
#Ask a Ministry worker for a Persons with Disabilities Designation Application Form.
#Complete the application carefully. It is more than 20 pages long and has three parts: Part 1 for you to complete, Part 2 for your doctor to complete, and Part 3 for an ''assessor'' to complete. The assessor can be your doctor, or an occupational therapist, physical therapist, social worker, registered psychologist, registered nurse, registered psychiatric nurse, chiropractor or nurse practitioner.
#Mail your application to the address on the application.

=== PPMB benefits ===
# If you are not already receiving income assistance or hardship assistance, you must first apply for welfare;
# As soon as you start receiving income assistance or hardship assistance, tell a Ministry worker that you want a PPMB designation application form;
# A health professional must complete section 1 of the application, including details about why your medical condition stops you from looking for, accepting or continuing to work. Health professionals that can complete the PPMB application form are:
•medical practitioners (doctors); chiropractors; registered psychologists; nurse practitioners; occupational therapists; school psychologists; registered nurses; registered social workers; registered clinical counsellors; registered psychiatric nurses; physical therapists
#4 Once you get the completed medical report form from your health professional, you must complete section 2 of the application to provide information about additional barriers you face. Include any supporting information you have to confirm any additional barrier(s). Once all sections of the application form are completed, return it to the Ministry.

== What happens next ==
A decision will be made and you will be advised of the decision. If you are not happy with the decision, you can ask for a reconsideration, and then an appeal. See the section "[[I have been denied or cut off welfare]]," as the process is the same.

== Where to get help ==
See the [[Resource List for Legal Help for British Columbians|Resource List]] in this Guide for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are:
*The Legal Services Society publications [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''] and [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1964 ''Social Assistance on Reserve in British Columbia''].
*[[Advocacy Access Program]], a service of Disability Alliance BC (formerly known as the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities). Also try their [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/organization/solveproblems/1013 Help Sheet Series], which include help sheets about how to apply for the PWD and PPMB designations.
*[[PovNet]], for their "[http://www.povnet.org/find-an-advocate Find An Advocate]" feature for welfare advocates near you.
*[[Access Pro Bono]], [[Lawyer Referral Service]], and [[Private Bar Lawyers|private bar lawyers]].
*The Clicklaw common question "[http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/question/commonquestion/1054 I want to find out about getting BC disability benefits]." Clicklaw has many common questions on the topic "Pensions, benefits & welfare."

{{Tipsbox
| width = 80%
| tips = If you have contributed to the Canada Pension Plan through employment and have a disability that prevents you from working at any job on a regular basis, you may qualify for Canada Pension Plan disability benefits. To get more information or apply for CPP disability benefits, call Income Security Programs at 1-800-277-9914 or go to the [https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp.html CPP website].
}}

{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[Alison Ward]],July 2021}}

{{Template:Legal Help Guide Navbox|type=problems}}

{{Creative Commons for Legal Help Guide}}

I Need to Apply for Disability Benefits

2021-08-06T21:38:30Z

Alison Ward: /* PPMB benefits */

{{Template:Legal Help Guide TOC}}If you have disabilities and you are financially eligible, you may qualify for disability benefits from the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction ("the Ministry"). There are two main types of disability benefits: disability assistance for people who the Ministry designates as Persons with Disabilities (PWD), and PPMB benefits for applicants who the Ministry designates as Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers to employment (PPMB).

To qualify for the PWD designation:
*you must be at least 18 years old,
*you must have a severe mental or physical impairment that is likely to last at least two years,
*your disability must directly and significantly restrict your ability to do specific daily activities (either continuously or for extended periods of time), and
*you must need significant help from another person to do specific daily activities, or else require help from an assistive device or assistance animal to perform those activities.

If you do not qualify for the PWD designation, you may still qualify for the PPMB designation. There were major changes to the criteria for the PPMB designation in

To qualify for the PPMB designation, you must:
* be at least 19 years old;
• be receiving income assistance or hardship assistance;
• have a health professional confirm that you have a health condition that
(A)has continued for at least one year and is likely to continue for at least 2 more years, or
(B)has occurred frequently in the past year and is likely to continue for at least 2 more years;
• have the Ministry agree that your health condition "seriously impedes" your ability to search for, accept, or continue in employment. "Seriously impedes" means your health condition stops you
from working in any job that would allow you to earn enough money to get off welfare completely.
• You must also have at least one additional barrier that seriously impedes your ability to search for, accept or continue in employment. An additional barrier can be anything from this list:

o experience family violence or have experienced family violence in the past
six months
o are homeless or have been homeless in the past 12 months
o have less than a Grade 12 education
o need English language skills training
o don’t have basic skills for employment
o have a criminal record
o have used emergency health services, mental health service, or addiction
services multiple times in the past 12 months
o are a recent Convention refugee (in the last 24 months) or a refugee claimant
o are a former child in care (Ministry of Children and Family Development or
similar Canadian jurisdiction)
o have other severe barriers to employment listed on your application.

Before July 1, 2019, the Ministry did not consider addiction to be a "health condition" that could qualify someone for the PPMB designation. If you applied for the PPMB designation before July 1, 2019 and were refused, you can apply for the PPMB designation again under the current criteria.
{{Tipsbox
| width = 70%
| tips = The criteria for PWD benefits and PPMB benefits are complicated. Try to get help from an advocate in filling out your application. A lot of people tend to minimize their disabilities. It is much better to put in a very thorough application, than to be turned down and have to appeal.
}}

== First steps ==
See the Legal Services Society publication [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare'']for a summary of the process for applying for PWD benefits and PPMB benefits, at pages 44 to 46.
=== PWD benefits ===

#If you are not already receiving income assistance or PPMB benefits, you must first apply for welfare (see page 44 of the Legal Services Society publication [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''])
#Ask a Ministry worker for a Persons with Disabilities Designation Application Form.
#Complete the application carefully. It is more than 20 pages long and has three parts: Part 1 for you to complete, Part 2 for your doctor to complete, and Part 3 for an ''assessor'' to complete. The assessor can be your doctor, or an occupational therapist, physical therapist, social worker, registered psychologist, registered nurse, registered psychiatric nurse, chiropractor or nurse practitioner.
#Mail your application to the address on the application.

=== PPMB benefits ===
# If you are not already receiving income assistance or hardship assistance, you must first apply for welfare;
# As soon as you start receiving income assistance or hardship assistance, tell a Ministry worker that you want a PPMB designation application form;
# A health professional must complete section 1 of the application, including details about why your medical condition stops you from looking for, accepting or continuing to work. Health professionals that can complete the PPMB application form are:
•medical practitioners (doctors); chiropractors; registered psychologists; nurse practitioners; occupational therapists; school psychologists; registered nurses; registered social workers; registered clinical counsellors; registered psychiatric nurses; physical therapists
#4 Once you get the completed medical report form from your health professional, you must complete section 2 of the application to provide information about additional barriers you face. Include any supporting information you have to confirm any additional barrier(s). Once all sections of the application form are completed, return it to the Ministry.

== What happens next ==
A decision will be made and you will be advised of the decision. If you are not happy with the decision, you can ask for a reconsideration, and then an appeal. See the section "[[I have been denied or cut off welfare]]," as the process is the same.

== Where to get help ==
See the [[Resource List for Legal Help for British Columbians|Resource List]] in this Guide for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are:
*The Legal Services Society publications [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''] and [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1964 ''Social Assistance on Reserve in British Columbia''].
*[[Advocacy Access Program]], a service of Disability Alliance BC (formerly known as the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities). Also try their [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/organization/solveproblems/1013 Help Sheet Series].
*[[PovNet]], for their "[http://www.povnet.org/find-an-advocate Find An Advocate]" feature for welfare advocates near you.
*[[Access Pro Bono]], [[Lawyer Referral Service]], and [[Private Bar Lawyers|private bar lawyers]].
*The Clicklaw common question "[http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/question/commonquestion/1054 I want to find out about getting BC disability benefits]." Clicklaw has many common questions on the topic "Pensions, benefits & welfare."

{{Tipsbox
| width = 80%
| tips = If you have contributed to the Canada Pension Plan through employment and have a disability that prevents you from working at any job on a regular basis, you may qualify for Canada Pension Plan disability benefits. To get more information or apply for CPP disability benefits, call Income Security Programs at 1-800-277-9914 or go to the [https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp.html CPP website].
}}

{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[Alison Ward]],July 2021}}

{{Template:Legal Help Guide Navbox|type=problems}}

{{Creative Commons for Legal Help Guide}}

I Need to Apply for Disability Benefits

2021-08-06T21:37:45Z

Alison Ward: /* PPMB benefits */

{{Template:Legal Help Guide TOC}}If you have disabilities and you are financially eligible, you may qualify for disability benefits from the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction ("the Ministry"). There are two main types of disability benefits: disability assistance for people who the Ministry designates as Persons with Disabilities (PWD), and PPMB benefits for applicants who the Ministry designates as Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers to employment (PPMB).

To qualify for the PWD designation:
*you must be at least 18 years old,
*you must have a severe mental or physical impairment that is likely to last at least two years,
*your disability must directly and significantly restrict your ability to do specific daily activities (either continuously or for extended periods of time), and
*you must need significant help from another person to do specific daily activities, or else require help from an assistive device or assistance animal to perform those activities.

If you do not qualify for the PWD designation, you may still qualify for the PPMB designation. There were major changes to the criteria for the PPMB designation in

To qualify for the PPMB designation, you must:
* be at least 19 years old;
• be receiving income assistance or hardship assistance;
• have a health professional confirm that you have a health condition that
(A)has continued for at least one year and is likely to continue for at least 2 more years, or
(B)has occurred frequently in the past year and is likely to continue for at least 2 more years;
• have the Ministry agree that your health condition "seriously impedes" your ability to search for, accept, or continue in employment. "Seriously impedes" means your health condition stops you
from working in any job that would allow you to earn enough money to get off welfare completely.
• You must also have at least one additional barrier that seriously impedes your ability to search for, accept or continue in employment. An additional barrier can be anything from this list:

o experience family violence or have experienced family violence in the past
six months
o are homeless or have been homeless in the past 12 months
o have less than a Grade 12 education
o need English language skills training
o don’t have basic skills for employment
o have a criminal record
o have used emergency health services, mental health service, or addiction
services multiple times in the past 12 months
o are a recent Convention refugee (in the last 24 months) or a refugee claimant
o are a former child in care (Ministry of Children and Family Development or
similar Canadian jurisdiction)
o have other severe barriers to employment listed on your application.

Before July 1, 2019, the Ministry did not consider addiction to be a "health condition" that could qualify someone for the PPMB designation. If you applied for the PPMB designation before July 1, 2019 and were refused, you can apply for the PPMB designation again under the current criteria.
{{Tipsbox
| width = 70%
| tips = The criteria for PWD benefits and PPMB benefits are complicated. Try to get help from an advocate in filling out your application. A lot of people tend to minimize their disabilities. It is much better to put in a very thorough application, than to be turned down and have to appeal.
}}

== First steps ==
See the Legal Services Society publication [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare'']for a summary of the process for applying for PWD benefits and PPMB benefits, at pages 44 to 46.
=== PWD benefits ===

#If you are not already receiving income assistance or PPMB benefits, you must first apply for welfare (see page 44 of the Legal Services Society publication [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''])
#Ask a Ministry worker for a Persons with Disabilities Designation Application Form.
#Complete the application carefully. It is more than 20 pages long and has three parts: Part 1 for you to complete, Part 2 for your doctor to complete, and Part 3 for an ''assessor'' to complete. The assessor can be your doctor, or an occupational therapist, physical therapist, social worker, registered psychologist, registered nurse, registered psychiatric nurse, chiropractor or nurse practitioner.
#Mail your application to the address on the application.

=== PPMB benefits ===
# If you are not already receiving income assistance or hardship assistance, you must first apply for welfare;
# As soon as you start receiving income assistance or hardship assistance, tell a Ministry worker that you want a PPMB designation application form;
# A health professional must complete section 1 of the application, including details about why your medical condition stops you from looking for, accepting or continuing to work. Health professionals that can complete the PPMB application form are:
•medical practitioners (doctors); chiropractors; registered psychologists; nurse practitioners; occupational therapists; school psychologists; registered nurses; registered social workers; registered clinical counsellors; registered psychiatric nurses; physical therapists
#4 Once you get the completed medical report form from your health professional you must complete section 2 of the application to provide information about additional barriers you face. Include any supporting information you have to confirm any additional barrier(s). Once all sections of the application form are completed, return it to the Ministry.

== What happens next ==
A decision will be made and you will be advised of the decision. If you are not happy with the decision, you can ask for a reconsideration, and then an appeal. See the section "[[I have been denied or cut off welfare]]," as the process is the same.

== Where to get help ==
See the [[Resource List for Legal Help for British Columbians|Resource List]] in this Guide for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are:
*The Legal Services Society publications [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''] and [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1964 ''Social Assistance on Reserve in British Columbia''].
*[[Advocacy Access Program]], a service of Disability Alliance BC (formerly known as the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities). Also try their [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/organization/solveproblems/1013 Help Sheet Series].
*[[PovNet]], for their "[http://www.povnet.org/find-an-advocate Find An Advocate]" feature for welfare advocates near you.
*[[Access Pro Bono]], [[Lawyer Referral Service]], and [[Private Bar Lawyers|private bar lawyers]].
*The Clicklaw common question "[http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/question/commonquestion/1054 I want to find out about getting BC disability benefits]." Clicklaw has many common questions on the topic "Pensions, benefits & welfare."

{{Tipsbox
| width = 80%
| tips = If you have contributed to the Canada Pension Plan through employment and have a disability that prevents you from working at any job on a regular basis, you may qualify for Canada Pension Plan disability benefits. To get more information or apply for CPP disability benefits, call Income Security Programs at 1-800-277-9914 or go to the [https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp.html CPP website].
}}

{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[Alison Ward]],July 2021}}

{{Template:Legal Help Guide Navbox|type=problems}}

{{Creative Commons for Legal Help Guide}}

I Need to Apply for Disability Benefits

2021-08-06T21:30:32Z

Alison Ward: /* PPMB benefits */

{{Template:Legal Help Guide TOC}}If you have disabilities and you are financially eligible, you may qualify for disability benefits from the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction ("the Ministry"). There are two main types of disability benefits: disability assistance for people who the Ministry designates as Persons with Disabilities (PWD), and PPMB benefits for applicants who the Ministry designates as Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers to employment (PPMB).

To qualify for the PWD designation:
*you must be at least 18 years old,
*you must have a severe mental or physical impairment that is likely to last at least two years,
*your disability must directly and significantly restrict your ability to do specific daily activities (either continuously or for extended periods of time), and
*you must need significant help from another person to do specific daily activities, or else require help from an assistive device or assistance animal to perform those activities.

If you do not qualify for the PWD designation, you may still qualify for the PPMB designation. There were major changes to the criteria for the PPMB designation in

To qualify for the PPMB designation, you must:
* be at least 19 years old;
• be receiving income assistance or hardship assistance;
• have a health professional confirm that you have a health condition that
(A)has continued for at least one year and is likely to continue for at least 2 more years, or
(B)has occurred frequently in the past year and is likely to continue for at least 2 more years;
• have the Ministry agree that your health condition "seriously impedes" your ability to search for, accept, or continue in employment. "Seriously impedes" means your health condition stops you
from working in any job that would allow you to earn enough money to get off welfare completely.
• You must also have at least one additional barrier that seriously impedes your ability to search for, accept or continue in employment. An additional barrier can be anything from this list:

o experience family violence or have experienced family violence in the past
six months
o are homeless or have been homeless in the past 12 months
o have less than a Grade 12 education
o need English language skills training
o don’t have basic skills for employment
o have a criminal record
o have used emergency health services, mental health service, or addiction
services multiple times in the past 12 months
o are a recent Convention refugee (in the last 24 months) or a refugee claimant
o are a former child in care (Ministry of Children and Family Development or
similar Canadian jurisdiction)
o have other severe barriers to employment listed on your application.

Before July 1, 2019, the Ministry did not consider addiction to be a "health condition" that could qualify someone for the PPMB designation. If you applied for the PPMB designation before July 1, 2019 and were refused, you can apply for the PPMB designation again under the current criteria.
{{Tipsbox
| width = 70%
| tips = The criteria for PWD benefits and PPMB benefits are complicated. Try to get help from an advocate in filling out your application. A lot of people tend to minimize their disabilities. It is much better to put in a very thorough application, than to be turned down and have to appeal.
}}

== First steps ==
See the Legal Services Society publication [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare'']for a summary of the process for applying for PWD benefits and PPMB benefits, at pages 44 to 46.
=== PWD benefits ===

#If you are not already receiving income assistance or PPMB benefits, you must first apply for welfare (see page 44 of the Legal Services Society publication [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''])
#Ask a Ministry worker for a Persons with Disabilities Designation Application Form.
#Complete the application carefully. It is more than 20 pages long and has three parts: Part 1 for you to complete, Part 2 for your doctor to complete, and Part 3 for an ''assessor'' to complete. The assessor can be your doctor, or an occupational therapist, physical therapist, social worker, registered psychologist, registered nurse, registered psychiatric nurse, chiropractor or nurse practitioner.
#Mail your application to the address on the application.

=== PPMB benefits ===
# If you are not already receiving income assistance or hardship assistance, you must first apply for welfare;
# As soon as you start receiving income assistance or hardship assistance, tell a Ministry worker that you want a PPMB designation application form;
# A health professional must complete the application, including details about why your medical condition stops you from looking for, accepting or continuing to work. Health professionals that can complete the PPMB application form are:
•medical practitioner; chiropractor; registered psychologist; nurse practitioner; occupational therapist; school psychologist; registered nurse; registered social worker; registered clinical counsellor; registered psychiatric nurse; physical therapist
# Get the completed medical report form from your health professional and return it to the Ministry.

== What happens next ==
A decision will be made and you will be advised of the decision. If you are not happy with the decision, you can ask for a reconsideration, and then an appeal. See the section "[[I have been denied or cut off welfare]]," as the process is the same.

== Where to get help ==
See the [[Resource List for Legal Help for British Columbians|Resource List]] in this Guide for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are:
*The Legal Services Society publications [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''] and [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1964 ''Social Assistance on Reserve in British Columbia''].
*[[Advocacy Access Program]], a service of Disability Alliance BC (formerly known as the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities). Also try their [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/organization/solveproblems/1013 Help Sheet Series].
*[[PovNet]], for their "[http://www.povnet.org/find-an-advocate Find An Advocate]" feature for welfare advocates near you.
*[[Access Pro Bono]], [[Lawyer Referral Service]], and [[Private Bar Lawyers|private bar lawyers]].
*The Clicklaw common question "[http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/question/commonquestion/1054 I want to find out about getting BC disability benefits]." Clicklaw has many common questions on the topic "Pensions, benefits & welfare."

{{Tipsbox
| width = 80%
| tips = If you have contributed to the Canada Pension Plan through employment and have a disability that prevents you from working at any job on a regular basis, you may qualify for Canada Pension Plan disability benefits. To get more information or apply for CPP disability benefits, call Income Security Programs at 1-800-277-9914 or go to the [https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp.html CPP website].
}}

{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[Alison Ward]],July 2021}}

{{Template:Legal Help Guide Navbox|type=problems}}

{{Creative Commons for Legal Help Guide}}

I Need to Apply for Disability Benefits

2021-08-06T21:29:02Z

Alison Ward: /* PPMB benefits */

{{Template:Legal Help Guide TOC}}If you have disabilities and you are financially eligible, you may qualify for disability benefits from the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction ("the Ministry"). There are two main types of disability benefits: disability assistance for people who the Ministry designates as Persons with Disabilities (PWD), and PPMB benefits for applicants who the Ministry designates as Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers to employment (PPMB).

To qualify for the PWD designation:
*you must be at least 18 years old,
*you must have a severe mental or physical impairment that is likely to last at least two years,
*your disability must directly and significantly restrict your ability to do specific daily activities (either continuously or for extended periods of time), and
*you must need significant help from another person to do specific daily activities, or else require help from an assistive device or assistance animal to perform those activities.

If you do not qualify for the PWD designation, you may still qualify for the PPMB designation. There were major changes to the criteria for the PPMB designation in

To qualify for the PPMB designation, you must:
* be at least 19 years old;
• be receiving income assistance or hardship assistance;
• have a health professional confirm that you have a health condition that
(A)has continued for at least one year and is likely to continue for at least 2 more years, or
(B)has occurred frequently in the past year and is likely to continue for at least 2 more years;
• have the Ministry agree that your health condition "seriously impedes" your ability to search for, accept, or continue in employment. "Seriously impedes" means your health condition stops you
from working in any job that would allow you to earn enough money to get off welfare completely.
• You must also have at least one additional barrier that seriously impedes your ability to search for, accept or continue in employment. An additional barrier can be anything from this list:

o experience family violence or have experienced family violence in the past
six months
o are homeless or have been homeless in the past 12 months
o have less than a Grade 12 education
o need English language skills training
o don’t have basic skills for employment
o have a criminal record
o have used emergency health services, mental health service, or addiction
services multiple times in the past 12 months
o are a recent Convention refugee (in the last 24 months) or a refugee claimant
o are a former child in care (Ministry of Children and Family Development or
similar Canadian jurisdiction)
o have other severe barriers to employment listed on your application.

Before July 1, 2019, the Ministry did not consider addiction to be a "health condition" that could qualify someone for the PPMB designation. If you applied for the PPMB designation before July 1, 2019 and were refused, you can apply for the PPMB designation again under the current criteria.
{{Tipsbox
| width = 70%
| tips = The criteria for PWD benefits and PPMB benefits are complicated. Try to get help from an advocate in filling out your application. A lot of people tend to minimize their disabilities. It is much better to put in a very thorough application, than to be turned down and have to appeal.
}}

== First steps ==
See the Legal Services Society publication [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare'']for a summary of the process for applying for PWD benefits and PPMB benefits, at pages 44 to 46.
=== PWD benefits ===

#If you are not already receiving income assistance or PPMB benefits, you must first apply for welfare (see page 44 of the Legal Services Society publication [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''])
#Ask a Ministry worker for a Persons with Disabilities Designation Application Form.
#Complete the application carefully. It is more than 20 pages long and has three parts: Part 1 for you to complete, Part 2 for your doctor to complete, and Part 3 for an ''assessor'' to complete. The assessor can be your doctor, or an occupational therapist, physical therapist, social worker, registered psychologist, registered nurse, registered psychiatric nurse, chiropractor or nurse practitioner.
#Mail your application to the address on the application.

=== PPMB benefits ===
# If you are not already receiving income assistance or hardship assistance, you must first apply for welfare;
# As soon as you start receiving income assistance or hardship assistance, tell a Ministry worker that you want a PPMB designation application form;
# A health professional must complete the application, including details about why your medical condition stops you from looking for, accepting or continuing to work. Health professionals that can complete the PPMB application form are:
medical practitioner  chiropractor  registered psychologist
 nurse practitioner  occupational therapist  school psychologist
 registered nurse  registered social worker  registered clinical counsellor
 registered psychiatric nurse  physical therapist
# Get the completed medical report form from your health professional and return it to the Ministry.

== What happens next ==
A decision will be made and you will be advised of the decision. If you are not happy with the decision, you can ask for a reconsideration, and then an appeal. See the section "[[I have been denied or cut off welfare]]," as the process is the same.

== Where to get help ==
See the [[Resource List for Legal Help for British Columbians|Resource List]] in this Guide for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are:
*The Legal Services Society publications [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''] and [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1964 ''Social Assistance on Reserve in British Columbia''].
*[[Advocacy Access Program]], a service of Disability Alliance BC (formerly known as the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities). Also try their [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/organization/solveproblems/1013 Help Sheet Series].
*[[PovNet]], for their "[http://www.povnet.org/find-an-advocate Find An Advocate]" feature for welfare advocates near you.
*[[Access Pro Bono]], [[Lawyer Referral Service]], and [[Private Bar Lawyers|private bar lawyers]].
*The Clicklaw common question "[http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/question/commonquestion/1054 I want to find out about getting BC disability benefits]." Clicklaw has many common questions on the topic "Pensions, benefits & welfare."

{{Tipsbox
| width = 80%
| tips = If you have contributed to the Canada Pension Plan through employment and have a disability that prevents you from working at any job on a regular basis, you may qualify for Canada Pension Plan disability benefits. To get more information or apply for CPP disability benefits, call Income Security Programs at 1-800-277-9914 or go to the [https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp.html CPP website].
}}

{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[Alison Ward]],July 2021}}

{{Template:Legal Help Guide Navbox|type=problems}}

{{Creative Commons for Legal Help Guide}}

I Need to Apply for Disability Benefits

2021-08-06T21:28:12Z

Alison Ward: /* PPMB benefits */

{{Template:Legal Help Guide TOC}}If you have disabilities and you are financially eligible, you may qualify for disability benefits from the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction ("the Ministry"). There are two main types of disability benefits: disability assistance for people who the Ministry designates as Persons with Disabilities (PWD), and PPMB benefits for applicants who the Ministry designates as Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers to employment (PPMB).

To qualify for the PWD designation:
*you must be at least 18 years old,
*you must have a severe mental or physical impairment that is likely to last at least two years,
*your disability must directly and significantly restrict your ability to do specific daily activities (either continuously or for extended periods of time), and
*you must need significant help from another person to do specific daily activities, or else require help from an assistive device or assistance animal to perform those activities.

If you do not qualify for the PWD designation, you may still qualify for the PPMB designation. There were major changes to the criteria for the PPMB designation in

To qualify for the PPMB designation, you must:
* be at least 19 years old;
• be receiving income assistance or hardship assistance;
• have a health professional confirm that you have a health condition that
(A)has continued for at least one year and is likely to continue for at least 2 more years, or
(B)has occurred frequently in the past year and is likely to continue for at least 2 more years;
• have the Ministry agree that your health condition "seriously impedes" your ability to search for, accept, or continue in employment. "Seriously impedes" means your health condition stops you
from working in any job that would allow you to earn enough money to get off welfare completely.
• You must also have at least one additional barrier that seriously impedes your ability to search for, accept or continue in employment. An additional barrier can be anything from this list:

o experience family violence or have experienced family violence in the past
six months
o are homeless or have been homeless in the past 12 months
o have less than a Grade 12 education
o need English language skills training
o don’t have basic skills for employment
o have a criminal record
o have used emergency health services, mental health service, or addiction
services multiple times in the past 12 months
o are a recent Convention refugee (in the last 24 months) or a refugee claimant
o are a former child in care (Ministry of Children and Family Development or
similar Canadian jurisdiction)
o have other severe barriers to employment listed on your application.

Before July 1, 2019, the Ministry did not consider addiction to be a "health condition" that could qualify someone for the PPMB designation. If you applied for the PPMB designation before July 1, 2019 and were refused, you can apply for the PPMB designation again under the current criteria.
{{Tipsbox
| width = 70%
| tips = The criteria for PWD benefits and PPMB benefits are complicated. Try to get help from an advocate in filling out your application. A lot of people tend to minimize their disabilities. It is much better to put in a very thorough application, than to be turned down and have to appeal.
}}

== First steps ==
See the Legal Services Society publication [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare'']for a summary of the process for applying for PWD benefits and PPMB benefits, at pages 44 to 46.
=== PWD benefits ===

#If you are not already receiving income assistance or PPMB benefits, you must first apply for welfare (see page 44 of the Legal Services Society publication [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''])
#Ask a Ministry worker for a Persons with Disabilities Designation Application Form.
#Complete the application carefully. It is more than 20 pages long and has three parts: Part 1 for you to complete, Part 2 for your doctor to complete, and Part 3 for an ''assessor'' to complete. The assessor can be your doctor, or an occupational therapist, physical therapist, social worker, registered psychologist, registered nurse, registered psychiatric nurse, chiropractor or nurse practitioner.
#Mail your application to the address on the application.

=== PPMB benefits ===
#1. If you are not already receiving income assistance or hardship assistance, you must first apply for welfare;
#2. As soon as you start receiving income assistance or hardship assistance, tell a Ministry worker that you want a PPMB designation application form;
#3. A health professional must complete the application, including details about why your medical condition stops you from looking for, accepting or continuing to work. Health professionals that can complete the PPMB application form are:
medical practitioner  chiropractor  registered psychologist
 nurse practitioner  occupational therapist  school psychologist
 registered nurse  registered social worker  registered clinical counsellor
 registered psychiatric nurse  physical therapist
#Get the completed medical report form from your health professional and return it to the Ministry.

== What happens next ==
A decision will be made and you will be advised of the decision. If you are not happy with the decision, you can ask for a reconsideration, and then an appeal. See the section "[[I have been denied or cut off welfare]]," as the process is the same.

== Where to get help ==
See the [[Resource List for Legal Help for British Columbians|Resource List]] in this Guide for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are:
*The Legal Services Society publications [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''] and [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1964 ''Social Assistance on Reserve in British Columbia''].
*[[Advocacy Access Program]], a service of Disability Alliance BC (formerly known as the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities). Also try their [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/organization/solveproblems/1013 Help Sheet Series].
*[[PovNet]], for their "[http://www.povnet.org/find-an-advocate Find An Advocate]" feature for welfare advocates near you.
*[[Access Pro Bono]], [[Lawyer Referral Service]], and [[Private Bar Lawyers|private bar lawyers]].
*The Clicklaw common question "[http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/question/commonquestion/1054 I want to find out about getting BC disability benefits]." Clicklaw has many common questions on the topic "Pensions, benefits & welfare."

{{Tipsbox
| width = 80%
| tips = If you have contributed to the Canada Pension Plan through employment and have a disability that prevents you from working at any job on a regular basis, you may qualify for Canada Pension Plan disability benefits. To get more information or apply for CPP disability benefits, call Income Security Programs at 1-800-277-9914 or go to the [https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp.html CPP website].
}}

{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[Alison Ward]],July 2021}}

{{Template:Legal Help Guide Navbox|type=problems}}

{{Creative Commons for Legal Help Guide}}

I Need to Apply for Disability Benefits

2021-08-06T21:27:05Z

Alison Ward: /* PPMB benefits */

{{Template:Legal Help Guide TOC}}If you have disabilities and you are financially eligible, you may qualify for disability benefits from the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction ("the Ministry"). There are two main types of disability benefits: disability assistance for people who the Ministry designates as Persons with Disabilities (PWD), and PPMB benefits for applicants who the Ministry designates as Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers to employment (PPMB).

To qualify for the PWD designation:
*you must be at least 18 years old,
*you must have a severe mental or physical impairment that is likely to last at least two years,
*your disability must directly and significantly restrict your ability to do specific daily activities (either continuously or for extended periods of time), and
*you must need significant help from another person to do specific daily activities, or else require help from an assistive device or assistance animal to perform those activities.

If you do not qualify for the PWD designation, you may still qualify for the PPMB designation. There were major changes to the criteria for the PPMB designation in

To qualify for the PPMB designation, you must:
* be at least 19 years old;
• be receiving income assistance or hardship assistance;
• have a health professional confirm that you have a health condition that
(A)has continued for at least one year and is likely to continue for at least 2 more years, or
(B)has occurred frequently in the past year and is likely to continue for at least 2 more years;
• have the Ministry agree that your health condition "seriously impedes" your ability to search for, accept, or continue in employment. "Seriously impedes" means your health condition stops you
from working in any job that would allow you to earn enough money to get off welfare completely.
• You must also have at least one additional barrier that seriously impedes your ability to search for, accept or continue in employment. An additional barrier can be anything from this list:

o experience family violence or have experienced family violence in the past
six months
o are homeless or have been homeless in the past 12 months
o have less than a Grade 12 education
o need English language skills training
o don’t have basic skills for employment
o have a criminal record
o have used emergency health services, mental health service, or addiction
services multiple times in the past 12 months
o are a recent Convention refugee (in the last 24 months) or a refugee claimant
o are a former child in care (Ministry of Children and Family Development or
similar Canadian jurisdiction)
o have other severe barriers to employment listed on your application.

Before July 1, 2019, the Ministry did not consider addiction to be a "health condition" that could qualify someone for the PPMB designation. If you applied for the PPMB designation before July 1, 2019 and were refused, you can apply for the PPMB designation again under the current criteria.
{{Tipsbox
| width = 70%
| tips = The criteria for PWD benefits and PPMB benefits are complicated. Try to get help from an advocate in filling out your application. A lot of people tend to minimize their disabilities. It is much better to put in a very thorough application, than to be turned down and have to appeal.
}}

== First steps ==
See the Legal Services Society publication [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare'']for a summary of the process for applying for PWD benefits and PPMB benefits, at pages 44 to 46.
=== PWD benefits ===

#If you are not already receiving income assistance or PPMB benefits, you must first apply for welfare (see page 44 of the Legal Services Society publication [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''])
#Ask a Ministry worker for a Persons with Disabilities Designation Application Form.
#Complete the application carefully. It is more than 20 pages long and has three parts: Part 1 for you to complete, Part 2 for your doctor to complete, and Part 3 for an ''assessor'' to complete. The assessor can be your doctor, or an occupational therapist, physical therapist, social worker, registered psychologist, registered nurse, registered psychiatric nurse, chiropractor or nurse practitioner.
#Mail your application to the address on the application.

=== PPMB benefits ===
1. If you are not already receiving income assistance or hardship assistance, you must first apply for welfare;
2. As soon as you start receiving income assistance or hardship assistance, tell a Ministry worker that you want a PPMB designation application form;

#YA health professional must complete the application, including details about why your medical condition stops you from looking for, accepting or continuing to work. Health professionals that can complete the PPMB application form are:
medical practitioner  chiropractor  registered psychologist
 nurse practitioner  occupational therapist  school psychologist
 registered nurse  registered social worker  registered clinical counsellor
 registered psychiatric nurse  physical therapist
#Get the completed medical report form from your health professional and return it to the Ministry.

== What happens next ==
A decision will be made and you will be advised of the decision. If you are not happy with the decision, you can ask for a reconsideration, and then an appeal. See the section "[[I have been denied or cut off welfare]]," as the process is the same.

== Where to get help ==
See the [[Resource List for Legal Help for British Columbians|Resource List]] in this Guide for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are:
*The Legal Services Society publications [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''] and [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1964 ''Social Assistance on Reserve in British Columbia''].
*[[Advocacy Access Program]], a service of Disability Alliance BC (formerly known as the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities). Also try their [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/organization/solveproblems/1013 Help Sheet Series].
*[[PovNet]], for their "[http://www.povnet.org/find-an-advocate Find An Advocate]" feature for welfare advocates near you.
*[[Access Pro Bono]], [[Lawyer Referral Service]], and [[Private Bar Lawyers|private bar lawyers]].
*The Clicklaw common question "[http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/question/commonquestion/1054 I want to find out about getting BC disability benefits]." Clicklaw has many common questions on the topic "Pensions, benefits & welfare."

{{Tipsbox
| width = 80%
| tips = If you have contributed to the Canada Pension Plan through employment and have a disability that prevents you from working at any job on a regular basis, you may qualify for Canada Pension Plan disability benefits. To get more information or apply for CPP disability benefits, call Income Security Programs at 1-800-277-9914 or go to the [https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp.html CPP website].
}}

{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[Alison Ward]],July 2021}}

{{Template:Legal Help Guide Navbox|type=problems}}

{{Creative Commons for Legal Help Guide}}

I Need to Apply for Disability Benefits

2021-08-06T21:06:24Z

Alison Ward:

{{Template:Legal Help Guide TOC}}If you have disabilities and you are financially eligible, you may qualify for disability benefits from the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction ("the Ministry"). There are two main types of disability benefits: disability assistance for people who the Ministry designates as Persons with Disabilities (PWD), and PPMB benefits for applicants who the Ministry designates as Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers to employment (PPMB).

To qualify for the PWD designation:
*you must be at least 18 years old,
*you must have a severe mental or physical impairment that is likely to last at least two years,
*your disability must directly and significantly restrict your ability to do specific daily activities (either continuously or for extended periods of time), and
*you must need significant help from another person to do specific daily activities, or else require help from an assistive device or assistance animal to perform those activities.

If you do not qualify for the PWD designation, you may still qualify for the PPMB designation. There were major changes to the criteria for the PPMB designation in

To qualify for the PPMB designation, you must:
* be at least 19 years old;
• be receiving income assistance or hardship assistance;
• have a health professional confirm that you have a health condition that
(A)has continued for at least one year and is likely to continue for at least 2 more years, or
(B)has occurred frequently in the past year and is likely to continue for at least 2 more years;
• have the Ministry agree that your health condition "seriously impedes" your ability to search for, accept, or continue in employment. "Seriously impedes" means your health condition stops you
from working in any job that would allow you to earn enough money to get off welfare completely.
• You must also have at least one additional barrier that seriously impedes your ability to search for, accept or continue in employment. An additional barrier can be anything from this list:

o experience family violence or have experienced family violence in the past
six months
o are homeless or have been homeless in the past 12 months
o have less than a Grade 12 education
o need English language skills training
o don’t have basic skills for employment
o have a criminal record
o have used emergency health services, mental health service, or addiction
services multiple times in the past 12 months
o are a recent Convention refugee (in the last 24 months) or a refugee claimant
o are a former child in care (Ministry of Children and Family Development or
similar Canadian jurisdiction)
o have other severe barriers to employment listed on your application.

Before July 1, 2019, the Ministry did not consider addiction to be a "health condition" that could qualify someone for the PPMB designation. If you applied for the PPMB designation before July 1, 2019 and were refused, you can apply for the PPMB designation again under the current criteria.
{{Tipsbox
| width = 70%
| tips = The criteria for PWD benefits and PPMB benefits are complicated. Try to get help from an advocate in filling out your application. A lot of people tend to minimize their disabilities. It is much better to put in a very thorough application, than to be turned down and have to appeal.
}}

== First steps ==
See the Legal Services Society publication [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare'']for a summary of the process for applying for PWD benefits and PPMB benefits, at pages 44 to 46.
=== PWD benefits ===

#If you are not already receiving income assistance or PPMB benefits, you must first apply for welfare (see page 44 of the Legal Services Society publication [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''])
#Ask a Ministry worker for a Persons with Disabilities Designation Application Form.
#Complete the application carefully. It is more than 20 pages long and has three parts: Part 1 for you to complete, Part 2 for your doctor to complete, and Part 3 for an ''assessor'' to complete. The assessor can be your doctor, or an occupational therapist, physical therapist, social worker, registered psychologist, registered nurse, registered psychiatric nurse, chiropractor or nurse practitioner.
#Mail your application to the address on the application.

=== PPMB benefits ===
#Tell a Ministry worker you want to apply for the PPMB designation. He or she will do an assessment of your non-medical barriers to employment (e.g., lack of education, literacy or work history) and give you a medical report form for your doctor to complete (see page 46 of [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare'']).
#Your doctor must complete the application, including details about why your medical condition stops you from looking for, accepting or continuing to work.
#Get the completed medical report form from your doctor and return it to the Ministry.

== What happens next ==
A decision will be made and you will be advised of the decision. If you are not happy with the decision, you can ask for a reconsideration, and then an appeal. See the section "[[I have been denied or cut off welfare]]," as the process is the same.

== Where to get help ==
See the [[Resource List for Legal Help for British Columbians|Resource List]] in this Guide for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are:
*The Legal Services Society publications [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''] and [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1964 ''Social Assistance on Reserve in British Columbia''].
*[[Advocacy Access Program]], a service of Disability Alliance BC (formerly known as the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities). Also try their [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/organization/solveproblems/1013 Help Sheet Series].
*[[PovNet]], for their "[http://www.povnet.org/find-an-advocate Find An Advocate]" feature for welfare advocates near you.
*[[Access Pro Bono]], [[Lawyer Referral Service]], and [[Private Bar Lawyers|private bar lawyers]].
*The Clicklaw common question "[http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/question/commonquestion/1054 I want to find out about getting BC disability benefits]." Clicklaw has many common questions on the topic "Pensions, benefits & welfare."

{{Tipsbox
| width = 80%
| tips = If you have contributed to the Canada Pension Plan through employment and have a disability that prevents you from working at any job on a regular basis, you may qualify for Canada Pension Plan disability benefits. To get more information or apply for CPP disability benefits, call Income Security Programs at 1-800-277-9914 or go to the [https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp.html CPP website].
}}

{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[Alison Ward]],July 2021}}

{{Template:Legal Help Guide Navbox|type=problems}}

{{Creative Commons for Legal Help Guide}}

I Need to Apply for Disability Benefits

2021-08-06T20:53:18Z

Alison Ward:

{{Template:Legal Help Guide TOC}}If you have disabilities and you are financially eligible, you may qualify for disability benefits from the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction ("the Ministry"). There are two main types of disability benefits: disability assistance for people who the Ministry designates as Persons with Disabilities (PWD), and PPMB benefits for applicants who the Ministry designates as Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers to employment (PPMB).

To qualify for the PWD designation:
*you must be at least 18 years old,
*you must have a severe mental or physical impairment that is likely to last at least two years,
*your disability must directly and significantly restrict your ability to do specific daily activities (either continuously or for extended periods of time), and
*you must need significant help from another person to do specific daily activities, or else require help from an assistive device or assistance animal to perform those activities.

If you do not qualify for the PWD designation, you may still qualify for the PPMB designation. There were major changes to the criteria for the PPMB designation in

To qualify for the PPMB designation:
* You must have a health condition that "seriously impedes" your ability to search for, accept, or continue in employment. "Seriously impedes" means your health condition stops you
from working in any job that would allow you to get off welfare.

• You must also have at least one additional barrier from the following list:

o experience family violence or have experienced family violence in the past
six months
o are homeless or have been homeless in the past 12 months
o have less than a Grade 12 education
o need English language skills training
o don’t have basic skills for employment
o have a criminal record
o have used emergency health services, mental health service, or addiction
services multiple times in the past 12 months
o are a recent Convention refugee (in the last 24 months) or a refugee claimant
o are a former child in care (Ministry of Children and Family Development or
similar Canadian jurisdiction)
o have other severe barriers to employment listed on your application.

Before July 1, 2019, the Ministry did not consider addiction to be a "health condition" that could qualify someone for the PPMB designation. If you applied for the PPMB designation before July 1, 2019 and were refused, you can apply for the PPMB designation again under the current criteria.
{{Tipsbox
| width = 70%
| tips = The criteria for PWD benefits and PPMB benefits are complicated. Try to get help from an advocate in filling out your application. A lot of people tend to minimize their disabilities. It is much better to put in a very thorough application, than to be turned down and have to appeal.
}}

== First steps ==
See the Legal Services Society publication [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare'']for a summary of the process for applying for PWD benefits and PPMB benefits, at pages 44 to 46.
=== PWD benefits ===

#If you are not already receiving income assistance or PPMB benefits, you must first apply for welfare (see page 44 of the Legal Services Society publication [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''])
#Ask a Ministry worker for a Persons with Disabilities Designation Application Form.
#Complete the application carefully. It is more than 20 pages long and has three parts: Part 1 for you to complete, Part 2 for your doctor to complete, and Part 3 for an ''assessor'' to complete. The assessor can be your doctor, or an occupational therapist, physical therapist, social worker, registered psychologist, registered nurse, registered psychiatric nurse, chiropractor or nurse practitioner.
#Mail your application to the address on the application.

=== PPMB benefits ===
#Tell a Ministry worker you want to apply for the PPMB designation. He or she will do an assessment of your non-medical barriers to employment (e.g., lack of education, literacy or work history) and give you a medical report form for your doctor to complete (see page 46 of [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare'']).
#Your doctor must complete the application, including details about why your medical condition stops you from looking for, accepting or continuing to work.
#Get the completed medical report form from your doctor and return it to the Ministry.

== What happens next ==
A decision will be made and you will be advised of the decision. If you are not happy with the decision, you can ask for a reconsideration, and then an appeal. See the section "[[I have been denied or cut off welfare]]," as the process is the same.

== Where to get help ==
See the [[Resource List for Legal Help for British Columbians|Resource List]] in this Guide for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are:
*The Legal Services Society publications [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''] and [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1964 ''Social Assistance on Reserve in British Columbia''].
*[[Advocacy Access Program]], a service of Disability Alliance BC (formerly known as the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities). Also try their [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/organization/solveproblems/1013 Help Sheet Series].
*[[PovNet]], for their "[http://www.povnet.org/find-an-advocate Find An Advocate]" feature for welfare advocates near you.
*[[Access Pro Bono]], [[Lawyer Referral Service]], and [[Private Bar Lawyers|private bar lawyers]].
*The Clicklaw common question "[http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/question/commonquestion/1054 I want to find out about getting BC disability benefits]." Clicklaw has many common questions on the topic "Pensions, benefits & welfare."

{{Tipsbox
| width = 80%
| tips = If you have contributed to the Canada Pension Plan through employment and have a disability that prevents you from working at any job on a regular basis, you may qualify for Canada Pension Plan disability benefits. To get more information or apply for CPP disability benefits, call Income Security Programs at 1-800-277-9914 or go to the [https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp.html CPP website].
}}

{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[Alison Ward]],July 2021}}

{{Template:Legal Help Guide Navbox|type=problems}}

{{Creative Commons for Legal Help Guide}}

I Need to Apply for Disability Benefits

2021-08-06T20:51:14Z

Alison Ward:

{{Template:Legal Help Guide TOC}}If you have disabilities and you are financially eligible, you may qualify for disability benefits from the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction ("the Ministry"). There are two main types of disability benefits: disability assistance for people who the Ministry designates as Persons with Disabilities (PWD), and PPMB benefits for applicants who the Ministry designates as Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers to employment (PPMB).

To qualify for the PWD designation:
*you must be at least 18 years old,
*you must have a severe mental or physical impairment that is likely to last at least two years,
*your disability must directly and significantly restrict your ability to do specific daily activities (either continuously or for extended periods of time), and
*you must need significant help from another person to do specific daily activities, or else require help from an assistive device or assistance animal to perform those activities.

If you do not qualify for the PWD designation, you may still qualify for the PPMB designation. There were major changes to the criteria for the PPMB designation in

To qualify for the PPMB designation:
* You must have a health condition that "seriously impedes" your ability to search for, accept, or continue in employment. "Seriously impedes" means your health condition stops you
from working in any job that would allow you to get off welfare.

• You must also have at least one additional barrier from the following list:
o experience family violence or have experienced family violence in the past
six months
o are homeless or have been homeless in the past 12 months
o have less than a Grade 12 education
o need English language skills training
o don’t have basic skills for employment
o have a criminal record
o have used emergency health services, mental health service, or addiction
services multiple times in the past 12 months
o are a recent Convention refugee (in the last 24 months) or a refugee claimant
o are a former child in care (Ministry of Children and Family Development or
similar Canadian jurisdiction)
o have other severe barriers to employment listed on your application.

Before July 1, 2019, the Ministry did not consider addiction to be a "health condition" that could qualify for you for PPMB benefits. If you applied for PPMB benefits before July 1, 2019 and were refused the PPMB designation, you can apply for the PPMB designation again under the current criteria.
{{Tipsbox
| width = 70%
| tips = The criteria for PWD benefits and PPMB benefits are complicated. Try to get help from an advocate in filling out your application. A lot of people tend to minimize their disabilities. It is much better to put in a very thorough application, than to be turned down and have to appeal.
}}

== First steps ==
See the Legal Services Society publication [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare'']for a summary of the process for applying for PWD benefits and PPMB benefits, at pages 44 to 46.
=== PWD benefits ===

#If you are not already receiving income assistance or PPMB benefits, you must first apply for welfare (see page 44 of the Legal Services Society publication [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''])
#Ask a Ministry worker for a Persons with Disabilities Designation Application Form.
#Complete the application carefully. It is more than 20 pages long and has three parts: Part 1 for you to complete, Part 2 for your doctor to complete, and Part 3 for an ''assessor'' to complete. The assessor can be your doctor, or an occupational therapist, physical therapist, social worker, registered psychologist, registered nurse, registered psychiatric nurse, chiropractor or nurse practitioner.
#Mail your application to the address on the application.

=== PPMB benefits ===
#Tell a Ministry worker you want to apply for the PPMB designation. He or she will do an assessment of your non-medical barriers to employment (e.g., lack of education, literacy or work history) and give you a medical report form for your doctor to complete (see page 46 of [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare'']).
#Your doctor must complete the application, including details about why your medical condition stops you from looking for, accepting or continuing to work.
#Get the completed medical report form from your doctor and return it to the Ministry.

== What happens next ==
A decision will be made and you will be advised of the decision. If you are not happy with the decision, you can ask for a reconsideration, and then an appeal. See the section "[[I have been denied or cut off welfare]]," as the process is the same.

== Where to get help ==
See the [[Resource List for Legal Help for British Columbians|Resource List]] in this Guide for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are:
*The Legal Services Society publications [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''] and [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1964 ''Social Assistance on Reserve in British Columbia''].
*[[Advocacy Access Program]], a service of Disability Alliance BC (formerly known as the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities). Also try their [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/organization/solveproblems/1013 Help Sheet Series].
*[[PovNet]], for their "[http://www.povnet.org/find-an-advocate Find An Advocate]" feature for welfare advocates near you.
*[[Access Pro Bono]], [[Lawyer Referral Service]], and [[Private Bar Lawyers|private bar lawyers]].
*The Clicklaw common question "[http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/question/commonquestion/1054 I want to find out about getting BC disability benefits]." Clicklaw has many common questions on the topic "Pensions, benefits & welfare."

{{Tipsbox
| width = 80%
| tips = If you have contributed to the Canada Pension Plan through employment and have a disability that prevents you from working at any job on a regular basis, you may qualify for Canada Pension Plan disability benefits. To get more information or apply for CPP disability benefits, call Income Security Programs at 1-800-277-9914 or go to the [https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp.html CPP website].
}}

{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[Alison Ward]], March 2018}}

{{Template:Legal Help Guide Navbox|type=problems}}

{{Creative Commons for Legal Help Guide}}

I Have Been Denied or Cut off Welfare

2021-08-06T20:38:50Z

Alison Ward:

{{Template:Legal Help Guide TOC}}
You have the right to challenge (appeal) most decisions about having a monthly benefit or supplement denied, cut off, or reduced. You can also challenge some decisions about penalties, and if the ministry says you are not eligible for [http://wiki.clicklaw.bc.ca/index.php/I_need_to_apply_for_disability_benefits the PWD designation] or for designation as a Person with Persistent Multiple Barriers to Employment ("PPMB").

You can ask for a reconsideration of the Ministry’s decision. If that does not work, you can usually file an appeal to the Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal, or EAAT.

{{Tipsbox
| width = 70%
| tips = Most people get welfare through the provincial government Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. People who live on an Indian reserve get welfare through the First Nations band or tribal council. The process is roughly the same on and off reserve.

If you live on reserve, call the band office and ask to speak to the social development worker. This person can help with your application for emergency income assistance or hardship benefits, and tell you what to do if you want to appeal a decision.
}}

== First steps ==

'''Before you get started:'''

:* Be sure to read the "Reconsideration and Appeal" topic at page 47 of [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare'']. It tells you what steps to take and what to expect.

:* Get help from an advocate. (See the listing for PovNet in the Resource List of this Guide for contact and website information for welfare advocates in your area.)

'''To start the process:'''

Follow the steps in the Reconsideration and Appeal topic at page 47 of [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''].

In summary, here is how you begin:

# You ask a Ministry worker why the benefit or supplement was denied, cut off or reduced. Get them to tell you what law or policy they based their decision on.
# You ask a Ministry worker to prepare and provide you with a Request for Reconsideration form.
# Follow the tips and information for reconsideration in [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare'']. Complete the Request for Reconsideration form and return it to the welfare office ''within 20 business days''. When you complete the form, focus on how the Ministry applied the welfare rules incorrectly. Attach copies of any documents or other evidence that supports your side of the story. If you need more time to give the Ministry more documents or argument, see the information about how to ask for more time at page 47 in [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''].

{{Tipsbox
| width = 70%
| tips It is very important to make your best case and supply as much information as you can, when you are requesting a reconsideration. Supply as much information as you can. Try and find an advocate to help you prepare your Request for Reconsideration. See the listing for [http://wiki.clicklaw.bc.ca/index.php/PovNet PovNet] in the Resource List of this guide to contact a welfare advocate in your area.
}}

'''What happens next'''

You should receive a response to your request for reconsideration within a couple of weeks. If you don’t, contact the Ministry and ask a worker to explain why there is a delay. If you are not satisfied with their explanation, ask to speak to a supervisor.

The reconsideration decision will say whether or not your benefit or supplement has been granted or refused. It should also say which law or policy the Ministry based the reconsideration decision on, and whether you may appeal the decision to the [http://www.eaat.ca/home "Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal"].

If you don’t agree with the reconsideration decision and want to appeal it, you must file a [http://www.eaat.ca/appeal-parties/how-to-appeal Notice of Appeal] with the [http://www.eaat.ca/home "Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal"] within 7 business days of the date you received the reconsideration decision. Get an advocate to help you with your appeal. See the listing for [http://wiki.clicklaw.bc.ca/index.php/PovNet PovNet] in the Resource List of this guide to contact a welfare advocate in your area.

== Where to get help ==
See the [[Resource List for Legal Help for British Columbians|Resource List]] in this guide for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are:

:*The Legal Services Society publications [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''] and [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1964 ''Income Assistance on Reserve in British Columbia''].
:*[[BC Employment and Assistance]] website. At the website, go to the information on [http://www.mhr.gov.bc.ca/publicat/bcea/appeal.htm Reconsideration and Appeals]
:*[[PovNet]], for their [http://www.povnet.org/find-an-advocate Find An Advocate] feature for welfare advocates near you.
:*[[Access Pro Bono]], [[Lawyer Referral Service]], and [[Private Bar Lawyers|private bar lawyers]].
:*The Clicklaw common questions [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/question/commonquestion/1021 If I don’t get welfare this month I’ll lose my housing] and [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/question/commonquestion/1106 I have an outstanding arrest warrant and I need welfare. What can I do?]. Clicklaw has many common questions on the topic pensions, benefits & welfare.

Before you meet with a lawyer or advocate, complete the form [[Preparing for Your Interview]] included in this guide. Make sure to take copies of all the documents about your case.

{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[Alison Ward]], July 2021}}

{{Template:Legal Help Guide Navbox|type=problems}}

{{Creative Commons for Legal Help Guide}}

I Have Been Denied or Cut off Welfare

2021-08-06T20:18:04Z

Alison Ward:

{{Template:Legal Help Guide TOC}}
You have the right to challenge (appeal) most decisions about having a monthly benefit or supplement denied, cut off, or reduced. You can also challenge some decisions about penalties, and if the ministry says you are not eligible for [http://wiki.clicklaw.bc.ca/index.php/I_need_to_apply_for_disability_benefits the PWD designation] or for designation as a Person with Persistent Multiple Barriers to Employment ("PPMB").

You can ask for a reconsideration of the Ministry’s decision. If that does not work, you can usually file an appeal to the Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal, or EAAT.

{{Tipsbox
| width = 70%
| tips = Most people get welfare through the provincial government Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. People who live on an Indian reserve get welfare through the First Nations band or tribal council. The process is roughly the same on and off reserve.

If you live on reserve, call the band office and ask to speak to the social development worker. This person can help with your application for emergency income assistance or hardship benefits, and tell you what to do if you want to appeal a decision.
}}

== First steps ==

'''Before you get started:'''

:* Be sure to read the "Reconsideration and Appeal" topic at page 47 of [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare'']. It tells you what steps to take and what to expect.

:* Get help from an advocate. (See the listing for PovNet in the Resource List of this Guide for contact and website information for welfare advocates in your area.)

'''To start the process:'''

Follow the steps in the Reconsideration and Appeal topic at page 47 of [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''].

In summary, here is how you begin:

# You ask a Ministry worker why the benefit or supplement was denied, cut off or reduced. Get them to tell you what law or policy they based their decision on.
# You ask a Ministry worker to prepare and provide you with a Request for Reconsideration form.
# Follow the tips and information for reconsideration in [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare'']. Complete the Request for Reconsideration form and return it to the welfare office ''within 20 business days''. When you complete the form, focus on how the Ministry applied the welfare rules incorrectly. Attach copies of any documents or other evidence that supports your side of the story. If you need more time to give the Ministry more documents or argument, see the information about how to ask for more time at page 47 in [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''].

{{Tipsbox
| width = 70%
| tips = It is very important to make your best case when you are requesting a reconsideration. Supply as much information as you can. Try and find an advocate to help you prepare your Request for Reconsideration. See the listing for [http://wiki.clicklaw.bc.ca/index.php/PovNet PovNet] in the Resource List of this guide to contact a welfare advocate in your area.
}}

'''What happens next'''

You should receive a response to your request for reconsideration within a couple of weeks. If you don’t, contact the Ministry and ask a worker to explain why there is a delay. If you are not satisfied with their explanation, ask to speak to a supervisor.

The reconsideration decision will say whether or not your benefit or supplement has been granted or refused. It should also say which law or policy the Ministry based the reconsideration decision on, and whether you may appeal the decision to the [http://www.eaat.ca/home "Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal"].

If you don’t agree with the reconsideration decision and want to appeal it, you must file a [http://www.eaat.ca/appeal-parties/how-to-appeal Notice of Appeal] with the [http://www.eaat.ca/home "Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal"] within 7 business days of the date you received the reconsideration decision. Get an advocate to help you with your appeal. See the listing for [http://wiki.clicklaw.bc.ca/index.php/PovNet PovNet] in the Resource List of this guide to contact a welfare advocate in your area.

== Where to get help ==
See the [[Resource List for Legal Help for British Columbians|Resource List]] in this guide for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are:

:*The Legal Services Society publications [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''] and [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1964 ''Income Assistance on Reserve in British Columbia''].
:*[[BC Employment and Assistance]] website. At the website, go to the information on [http://www.mhr.gov.bc.ca/publicat/bcea/appeal.htm Reconsideration and Appeals]
:*[[PovNet]], for their [http://www.povnet.org/find-an-advocate Find An Advocate] feature for welfare advocates near you.
:*[[Access Pro Bono]], [[Lawyer Referral Service]], and [[Private Bar Lawyers|private bar lawyers]].
:*The Clicklaw common questions [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/question/commonquestion/1021 If I don’t get welfare this month I’ll lose my housing] and [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/question/commonquestion/1106 I have an outstanding arrest warrant and I need welfare. What can I do?]. Clicklaw has many common questions on the topic pensions, benefits & welfare.

Before you meet with a lawyer or advocate, complete the form [[Preparing for Your Interview]] included in this guide. Make sure to take copies of all the documents about your case.

{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[Alison Ward]], July 2021}}

{{Template:Legal Help Guide Navbox|type=problems}}

{{Creative Commons for Legal Help Guide}}

I Have Been Denied or Cut off Welfare

2021-08-06T19:54:53Z

Alison Ward:

{{Template:Legal Help Guide TOC}}
You have the right to challenge (appeal) most decisions about having a monthly benefit or supplement denied, cut off, or reduced. You can also challenge some decisions about penalties, and if the ministry says you are not eligible for [http://wiki.clicklaw.bc.ca/index.php/I_need_to_apply_for_disability_benefits the PWD designation] or for designation as a Person with Persistent Multiple Barriers to Employment ("PPMB").

You can ask for a reconsideration of the Ministry’s decision. If that does not work, you can usually file an appeal to the Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal, or EAAT.

{{Tipsbox
| width = 70%
| tips = Most people get welfare through the provincial government Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. People who live on an Indian reserve get welfare through the First Nations band or tribal council. The process is roughly the same on and off reserve.

If you live on reserve, call the band office and ask to speak to the social development worker. This person can help with your application for emergency income assistance or hardship benefits, and tell you what to do if you want to appeal a decision.
}}

== First steps ==

'''Before you get started:'''

:* Be sure to read the "Reconsideration and Appeal" topic at page 47 of [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare'']. It tells you what steps to take and what to expect.

:* Get help from an advocate. (See the listing for PovNet in the Resource List of this Guide for contact and website information for welfare advocates in your area.)

'''To start the process:'''

Follow the steps in the Reconsideration and Appeal topic at page 47 of [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''].

In summary, here is how you begin:

# You ask a Ministry worker why the benefit or supplement was denied, cut off or reduced. Get them to tell you what law or policy they based their decision on.
# You ask a Ministry worker to prepare and provide you with a Request for Reconsideration form.
# Follow the tips and information for reconsideration in [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare'']. Complete the Request for Reconsideration form and return it to the welfare office ''within 20 business days''. When you complete the form, focus on how the Ministry applied the welfare rules incorrectly. Attach copies of any documents or other evidence that supports your side of the story. If you need more time to give the Ministry more documents or argument, see the information about how to ask for more time at page 47 in [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''].

{{Tipsbox
| width = 70%
| tips = It is very important to make your best case when you are requesting a reconsideration. Supply as much information as you can. If you have to appeal a decision after reconsideration, ''you may be limited to the information you used'' in your original Request for Reconsideration. See the listing for [http://wiki.clicklaw.bc.ca/index.php/PovNet PovNet] in the Resource List of this guide to contact a welfare advocate in your area.
}}

'''What happens next'''

You should receive a response to your request for reconsideration within a couple of weeks. If you don’t, contact the Ministry and ask a worker to explain why there is a delay. If you are not satisfied with their explanation, ask to speak to a supervisor.

The reconsideration decision will say whether or not your benefit or supplement has been granted or refused. It should also say which law or policy the Ministry based the reconsideration decision on, and whether you may appeal the decision to the [http://www.eaat.ca/home "Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal"].

If you don’t agree with the reconsideration decision and want to appeal it, you must file a [http://www.eaat.ca/appeal-parties/how-to-appeal Notice of Appeal] with the [http://www.eaat.ca/home "Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal"] within 7 business days of the date you received the reconsideration decision. Get an advocate to help you with your appeal. See the listing for [http://wiki.clicklaw.bc.ca/index.php/PovNet PovNet] in the Resource List of this guide to contact a welfare advocate in your area.

== Where to get help ==
See the [[Resource List for Legal Help for British Columbians|Resource List]] in this guide for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are:

:*The Legal Services Society publications [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''] and [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1964 ''Income Assistance on Reserve in British Columbia''].
:*[[BC Employment and Assistance]] website. At the website, go to the information on [http://www.mhr.gov.bc.ca/publicat/bcea/appeal.htm Reconsideration and Appeals]
:*[[PovNet]], for their [http://www.povnet.org/find-an-advocate Find An Advocate] feature for welfare advocates near you.
:*[[Access Pro Bono]], [[Lawyer Referral Service]], and [[Private Bar Lawyers|private bar lawyers]].
:*The Clicklaw common questions [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/question/commonquestion/1021 If I don’t get welfare this month I’ll lose my housing] and [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/question/commonquestion/1106 I have an outstanding arrest warrant and I need welfare. What can I do?]. Clicklaw has many common questions on the topic pensions, benefits & welfare.

Before you meet with a lawyer or advocate, complete the form [[Preparing for Your Interview]] included in this guide. Make sure to take copies of all the documents about your case.

{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[Alison Ward]], March 2018}}

{{Template:Legal Help Guide Navbox|type=problems}}

{{Creative Commons for Legal Help Guide}}

I Have No Money for Food or Shelter

2021-08-06T19:50:09Z

Alison Ward: /* What happens next */

{{Template:Legal Help Guide TOC}}The Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction ("the Ministry") is responsible for providing welfare support in BC, which includes income assistance benefits, disability assistance for Persons with Disabilities ("PWD"), and benefits for Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers to Employment ("PPMB"). The one exception is where the applicant lives on an Indian reserve. For anyone living on reserve, welfare programs are the responsibility of Indigenous Services Canada (formerly called Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada) and are administered by First Nations bands and tribal councils.

Both the Ministry and Indigenous Services Canada can provide funds for shelter and support to people who qualify for regular welfare benefits, including disability benefits (see the section in this Guide "[[I need to apply for disability benefits]]"). In some cases, they can also provide ''hardship benefits'' for people who don't qualify for regular welfare benefits. Workers at the Ministry and First Nations bands will also know about emergency shelters in the area.

{{Tipsbox
| width = 50%
| tips = If you live on reserve, call the First Nations band office and ask to speak to the social development worker. This person can help with your application for welfare.}}

== First steps ==
#Applying for welfare from the Ministry in BC has two stages. You can start the first stage in three ways:
#*by calling the Ministry Call Centre at 1-866-866-0800, and telling them that you want to apply for welfare,
#*by completing the welfare application process online at [https://www.myselfserve.gov.bc.ca www.myselfserve.gov.bc.ca] (you must know your SIN number to apply online, have an email address, and create a BCeID user account ), or
#*by going in person to a Ministry office.
#At this first stage:
#*if you are leaving an abusive situation (e.g. emotional, financial, physical or other abuse from a spouse, partner or other relative), it is important to tell the Ministry worker right away. The Ministry should schedule the second stage of your welfare application, called an eligibility interview, within one business day, and give you some help with food, shelter or medical attention before your eligibility interview if you have urgent needs.
#*if you have an urgent need for shelter, food or medical help (like paying for a prescription), and cannot wait three weeks to start receiving welfare benefits, then you need to tell the Ministry worker. Ask for an ''Immediate Needs Assessment''. If you are eligible for an Immediate Needs Assessment, the Ministry should complete your eligibility interview as soon as possible, within five business days. While you are waiting for your eligibility interview, the Ministry should make sure your immediate needs are met (for example, by giving you food vouchers, money or bus tickets if you need medical transportation, etc.).

{{Tipsbox
| width = 90%
| tips = As of May 2017, Ministry offices and the Call Centre were experiencing significant backlogs, causing delays in Immediate Needs Assessments. If you are in serious need and are not getting a prompt response from the Ministry (including the Call Centre), speak with an advocate.}}

== What happens next ==
After finishing the first stage of the welfare application, most people have to spend three weeks looking for work, and provide the Ministry with proof of their work search. During those three weeks you do not receive any financial help from the Ministry. Once your work search is over, the second stage of applying for welfare is an eligibility interview with the Ministry. An eligibility interview is a detailed interview, in person or by phone, to see if you are eligible for income assistance or hardship benefits.

If you qualify for welfare, the Ministry should get funds to you shortly after your eligibility interview. If you don't qualify for regular welfare, you may still qualify for [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/policies-for-government/bcea-policy-and-procedure-manual/hardship-assistance?keyword=hardship&keyword=assistance hardship assistance]. Some kinds of hardship assistance (but not all) must be repaid to the Ministry.

{{Tipsbox
| width = 90%
| tips = One exception to the requirement to do a three week work search before the eligibility interview with the Ministry is if you have an urgent need for shelter, food or medical attention. There are other exceptions, like single parents with a child under three, people 65 or over, or those with a physical or medical condition that precludes them from looking for work.. For a full list of people who do not have to do a three week work search, see the [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/policies-for-government/bcea-policy-and-procedure-manual/application-and-intake/work-search?keyword=work&keyword=search&keyword=exemptions BC Employment and Assistance (BCEA) Application Policy].}}

== Where to get help ==
See the [[Resource List for Legal Help for British Columbians|Resource List]] in this Guide for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are:
* The Legal Services Society publications [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''] and [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1964 ''Income Assistance on Reserve in British Columbia''].
* [[BC Employment and Assistance]] website for Ministry policy and further information.
* [[PovNet]], for their "[http://www.povnet.org/find-an-advocate Find An Advocate]" feature for welfare advocates near you.
* [[Access Pro Bono]], [[Lawyer Referral Service]], and [[Private Bar Lawyers|private bar lawyers]].
* The Clicklaw common question "[http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/question/commonquestion/1127 I have to go on welfare. What do I need to know before I apply?]." Clicklaw has many common questions on the topic "Pensions, benefits & welfare."

Before meeting with a lawyer or advocate, complete the form [[Preparing for Your Interview]] included in this Guide. Make sure you bring copies of all documents relating to your case.

{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[Alison Ward]], July 2021}}

{{Template:Legal Help Guide Navbox|type=problems}}

{{Creative Commons for Legal Help Guide}}

I Have No Money for Food or Shelter

2021-08-06T19:48:01Z

Alison Ward:

{{Template:Legal Help Guide TOC}}The Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction ("the Ministry") is responsible for providing welfare support in BC, which includes income assistance benefits, disability assistance for Persons with Disabilities ("PWD"), and benefits for Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers to Employment ("PPMB"). The one exception is where the applicant lives on an Indian reserve. For anyone living on reserve, welfare programs are the responsibility of Indigenous Services Canada (formerly called Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada) and are administered by First Nations bands and tribal councils.

Both the Ministry and Indigenous Services Canada can provide funds for shelter and support to people who qualify for regular welfare benefits, including disability benefits (see the section in this Guide "[[I need to apply for disability benefits]]"). In some cases, they can also provide ''hardship benefits'' for people who don't qualify for regular welfare benefits. Workers at the Ministry and First Nations bands will also know about emergency shelters in the area.

{{Tipsbox
| width = 50%
| tips = If you live on reserve, call the First Nations band office and ask to speak to the social development worker. This person can help with your application for welfare.}}

== First steps ==
#Applying for welfare from the Ministry in BC has two stages. You can start the first stage in three ways:
#*by calling the Ministry Call Centre at 1-866-866-0800, and telling them that you want to apply for welfare,
#*by completing the welfare application process online at [https://www.myselfserve.gov.bc.ca www.myselfserve.gov.bc.ca] (you must know your SIN number to apply online, have an email address, and create a BCeID user account ), or
#*by going in person to a Ministry office.
#At this first stage:
#*if you are leaving an abusive situation (e.g. emotional, financial, physical or other abuse from a spouse, partner or other relative), it is important to tell the Ministry worker right away. The Ministry should schedule the second stage of your welfare application, called an eligibility interview, within one business day, and give you some help with food, shelter or medical attention before your eligibility interview if you have urgent needs.
#*if you have an urgent need for shelter, food or medical help (like paying for a prescription), and cannot wait three weeks to start receiving welfare benefits, then you need to tell the Ministry worker. Ask for an ''Immediate Needs Assessment''. If you are eligible for an Immediate Needs Assessment, the Ministry should complete your eligibility interview as soon as possible, within five business days. While you are waiting for your eligibility interview, the Ministry should make sure your immediate needs are met (for example, by giving you food vouchers, money or bus tickets if you need medical transportation, etc.).

{{Tipsbox
| width = 90%
| tips = As of May 2017, Ministry offices and the Call Centre were experiencing significant backlogs, causing delays in Immediate Needs Assessments. If you are in serious need and are not getting a prompt response from the Ministry (including the Call Centre), speak with an advocate.}}

== What happens next ==
After finishing the first stage of the welfare application, most people have to spend three weeks looking for work, and provide the Ministry with proof of their work search. During those three weeks you do not receive any financial help from the Ministry. Once your work search is over, you move on to an eligibility interview with the Ministry, which is a detailed interview, in person or by phone, to see if you are eligible for income assistance or hardship benefits.

If you qualify for welfare, the Ministry should get funds to you shortly after your eligibility interview. If you don't qualify for regular welfare, you may still qualify for [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/policies-for-government/bcea-policy-and-procedure-manual/hardship-assistance?keyword=hardship&keyword=assistance hardship assistance]. Some kinds of hardship assistance (but not all) must be repaid to the Ministry.

{{Tipsbox
| width = 90%
| tips = One exception to the requirement to do a three week work search before the eligibility interview with the Ministry is if you have an urgent need for shelter, food or medical attention. There are other exceptions, like single parents with a child under three, people 65 or over, or those with a physical or medical condition that precludes them from looking for work.. For a full list of people who do not have to do a three week work search, see the [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/policies-for-government/bcea-policy-and-procedure-manual/application-and-intake/work-search?keyword=work&keyword=search&keyword=exemptions BC Employment and Assistance (BCEA) Application Policy].}}

== Where to get help ==
See the [[Resource List for Legal Help for British Columbians|Resource List]] in this Guide for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are:
* The Legal Services Society publications [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''] and [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1964 ''Income Assistance on Reserve in British Columbia''].
* [[BC Employment and Assistance]] website for Ministry policy and further information.
* [[PovNet]], for their "[http://www.povnet.org/find-an-advocate Find An Advocate]" feature for welfare advocates near you.
* [[Access Pro Bono]], [[Lawyer Referral Service]], and [[Private Bar Lawyers|private bar lawyers]].
* The Clicklaw common question "[http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/question/commonquestion/1127 I have to go on welfare. What do I need to know before I apply?]." Clicklaw has many common questions on the topic "Pensions, benefits & welfare."

Before meeting with a lawyer or advocate, complete the form [[Preparing for Your Interview]] included in this Guide. Make sure you bring copies of all documents relating to your case.

{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[Alison Ward]], July 2021}}

{{Template:Legal Help Guide Navbox|type=problems}}

{{Creative Commons for Legal Help Guide}}

I Have No Money for Food or Shelter

2021-08-06T19:42:59Z

Alison Ward: /* First steps */

{{Template:Legal Help Guide TOC}}The Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction ("the Ministry") is responsible for providing welfare support in BC, which includes income assistance benefits, disability assistance for Persons with Disabilities ("PWD"), and benefits for Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers to Employment ("PPMB"). The one exception is where the applicant lives on an Indian reserve. For anyone living on reserve, welfare programs are the responsibility of Indigenous Services Canada (formerly called Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada) and are administered by First Nations bands and tribal councils.

Both the Ministry and Indigenous Services Canada can provide funds for shelter and support to people who qualify for regular welfare benefits, including disability benefits (see the section in this Guide "[[I need to apply for disability benefits]]"). In some cases, they can also provide ''hardship benefits'' for people who don't qualify for regular welfare benefits. Workers at the Ministry and First Nations bands will also know about emergency shelters in the area.

{{Tipsbox
| width = 50%
| tips = If you live on reserve, call the First Nations band office and ask to speak to the social development worker. This person can help with your application for welfare.}}

== First steps ==
#Applying for welfare from the Ministry in BC has two stages. You can start the first stage in three ways:
#*by calling the Ministry Call Centre at 1-866-866-0800, and telling them that you want to apply for welfare,
#*by completing the welfare application process online at [https://www.myselfserve.gov.bc.ca www.myselfserve.gov.bc.ca] (you must know your SIN number to apply online, have an email address, and create a BCeID user account ), or
#*by going in person to a Ministry office.
#At this first stage:
#*if you are leaving an abusive situation (e.g. emotional, financial, physical or other abuse from a spouse, partner or other relative), it is important to tell the Ministry worker right away. The Ministry should schedule the second stage of your welfare application, called an eligibility interview, within one business day, and give you some help with food, shelter or medical attention before your eligibility interview if you have urgent needs.
#*if you have an urgent need for shelter, food or medical help (like paying for a prescription), and cannot wait three weeks to start receiving welfare benefits, then you need to tell the Ministry worker. Ask for an ''Immediate Needs Assessment''. If you are eligible for an Immediate Needs Assessment, the Ministry should complete your eligibility interview as soon as possible, within five business days. While you are waiting for your eligibility interview, the Ministry should make sure your immediate needs are met (for example, by giving you food vouchers, money or bus tickets if you need medical transportation, etc.).

{{Tipsbox
| width = 90%
| tips = As of May 2017, Ministry offices and the Call Centre were experiencing significant backlogs, causing delays in Immediate Needs Assessments. If you are in serious need and are not getting a prompt response from the Ministry (including the Call Centre), speak with an advocate.}}

== What happens next ==
After finishing the first stage of the welfare application, most people have to spend three weeks looking for work, and provide the Ministry with proof of their work search. During those three weeks you do not receive any financial help from the Ministry. Once your work search is over, you move on to an eligibility interview with the Ministry, which is a detailed interview, in person or by phone, to see if you are eligible for income assistance or hardship benefits.

If you qualify for welfare, the Ministry should get funds to you shortly after your eligibility interview. If you don't qualify for regular welfare, you may still qualify for [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/policies-for-government/bcea-policy-and-procedure-manual/hardship-assistance?keyword=hardship&keyword=assistance hardship assistance]. Some kinds of hardship assistance (but not all) must be repaid to the Ministry.

{{Tipsbox
| width = 90%
| tips = One exception to the requirement to do a three week work search before the eligibility interview with the Ministry is if you have an urgent need for shelter, food or medical attention. There are other exceptions, like single parents with a child under three, people 65 or over, or those with a physical or medical condition that precludes them from looking for work.. For a full list of people who do not have to do a three week work search, see the [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/policies-for-government/bcea-policy-and-procedure-manual/application-and-intake/work-search?keyword=work&keyword=search&keyword=exemptions BC Employment and Assistance (BCEA) Application Policy].}}

== Where to get help ==
See the [[Resource List for Legal Help for British Columbians|Resource List]] in this Guide for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are:
* The Legal Services Society publications [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''] and [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1964 ''Income Assistance on Reserve in British Columbia''].
* [[BC Employment and Assistance]] website for Ministry policy and further information.
* [[PovNet]], for their "[http://www.povnet.org/find-an-advocate Find An Advocate]" feature for welfare advocates near you.
* [[Access Pro Bono]], [[Lawyer Referral Service]], and [[Private Bar Lawyers|private bar lawyers]].
* The Clicklaw common question "[http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/question/commonquestion/1127 I have to go on welfare. What do I need to know before I apply?]." Clicklaw has many common questions on the topic "Pensions, benefits & welfare."

Before meeting with a lawyer or advocate, complete the form [[Preparing for Your Interview]] included in this Guide. Make sure you bring copies of all documents relating to your case.

{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[Alison Ward]], March 2018}}

{{Template:Legal Help Guide Navbox|type=problems}}

{{Creative Commons for Legal Help Guide}}

I Have No Money for Food or Shelter

2021-08-06T19:39:44Z

Alison Ward: /* What happens next */

{{Template:Legal Help Guide TOC}}The Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction ("the Ministry") is responsible for providing welfare support in BC, which includes income assistance benefits, disability assistance for Persons with Disabilities ("PWD"), and benefits for Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers to Employment ("PPMB"). The one exception is where the applicant lives on an Indian reserve. For anyone living on reserve, welfare programs are the responsibility of Indigenous Services Canada (formerly called Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada) and are administered by First Nations bands and tribal councils.

Both the Ministry and Indigenous Services Canada can provide funds for shelter and support to people who qualify for regular welfare benefits, including disability benefits (see the section in this Guide "[[I need to apply for disability benefits]]"). In some cases, they can also provide ''hardship benefits'' for people who don't qualify for regular welfare benefits. Workers at the Ministry and First Nations bands will also know about emergency shelters in the area.

{{Tipsbox
| width = 50%
| tips = If you live on reserve, call the First Nations band office and ask to speak to the social development worker. This person can help with your application for welfare.}}

== First steps ==
#Applying for welfare in BC has two stages. You can start the first stage in three ways:
#*by calling the Ministry Call Centre at 1-866-866-0800, and telling them that you want to apply for welfare,
#*by completing the welfare application process online at [https://www.myselfserve.gov.bc.ca www.myselfserve.gov.bc.ca] (you must know your SIN number to apply online, have an email address, and create a BCeID user account ), or
#*by going in person to a Ministry office.
#At this first stage:
#*if you are leaving an abusive situation (e.g. emotional, financial, physical or other abuse from a spouse, partner or other relative), it is important to tell the Ministry worker right away. The Ministry should schedule the second stage of your welfare application, called an eligibility interview, within one business day, and give you some help with food, shelter or medical attention before your eligibility interview if you have urgent needs.
#*if you have an urgent need for shelter, food or medical help (like paying for a prescription), and cannot wait three weeks to start receiving welfare benefits, then you need to tell the Ministry worker. Ask for an ''Immediate Needs Assessment''. If you are eligible for an Immediate Needs Assessment, the Ministry should complete your eligibility interview as soon as possible, within five business days. While you are waiting for your eligibility interview, the Ministry should make sure your immediate needs are met (for example, by giving you food vouchers, money or bus tickets if you need medical transportation, etc.).

{{Tipsbox
| width = 90%
| tips = As of May 2017, Ministry offices and the Call Centre were experiencing significant backlogs, causing delays in Immediate Needs Assessments. If you are in serious need and are not getting a prompt response from the Ministry (including the Call Centre), speak with an advocate.}}

== What happens next ==
After finishing the first stage of the welfare application, most people have to spend three weeks looking for work, and provide the Ministry with proof of their work search. During those three weeks you do not receive any financial help from the Ministry. Once your work search is over, you move on to an eligibility interview with the Ministry, which is a detailed interview, in person or by phone, to see if you are eligible for income assistance or hardship benefits.

If you qualify for welfare, the Ministry should get funds to you shortly after your eligibility interview. If you don't qualify for regular welfare, you may still qualify for [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/policies-for-government/bcea-policy-and-procedure-manual/hardship-assistance?keyword=hardship&keyword=assistance hardship assistance]. Some kinds of hardship assistance (but not all) must be repaid to the Ministry.

{{Tipsbox
| width = 90%
| tips = One exception to the requirement to do a three week work search before the eligibility interview with the Ministry is if you have an urgent need for shelter, food or medical attention. There are other exceptions, like single parents with a child under three, people 65 or over, or those with a physical or medical condition that precludes them from looking for work.. For a full list of people who do not have to do a three week work search, see the [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/policies-for-government/bcea-policy-and-procedure-manual/application-and-intake/work-search?keyword=work&keyword=search&keyword=exemptions BC Employment and Assistance (BCEA) Application Policy].}}

== Where to get help ==
See the [[Resource List for Legal Help for British Columbians|Resource List]] in this Guide for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are:
* The Legal Services Society publications [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''] and [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1964 ''Income Assistance on Reserve in British Columbia''].
* [[BC Employment and Assistance]] website for Ministry policy and further information.
* [[PovNet]], for their "[http://www.povnet.org/find-an-advocate Find An Advocate]" feature for welfare advocates near you.
* [[Access Pro Bono]], [[Lawyer Referral Service]], and [[Private Bar Lawyers|private bar lawyers]].
* The Clicklaw common question "[http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/question/commonquestion/1127 I have to go on welfare. What do I need to know before I apply?]." Clicklaw has many common questions on the topic "Pensions, benefits & welfare."

Before meeting with a lawyer or advocate, complete the form [[Preparing for Your Interview]] included in this Guide. Make sure you bring copies of all documents relating to your case.

{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[Alison Ward]], March 2018}}

{{Template:Legal Help Guide Navbox|type=problems}}

{{Creative Commons for Legal Help Guide}}

I Have No Money for Food or Shelter

2021-08-06T19:37:20Z

Alison Ward:

{{Template:Legal Help Guide TOC}}The Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction ("the Ministry") is responsible for providing welfare support in BC, which includes income assistance benefits, disability assistance for Persons with Disabilities ("PWD"), and benefits for Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers to Employment ("PPMB"). The one exception is where the applicant lives on an Indian reserve. For anyone living on reserve, welfare programs are the responsibility of Indigenous Services Canada (formerly called Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada) and are administered by First Nations bands and tribal councils.

Both the Ministry and Indigenous Services Canada can provide funds for shelter and support to people who qualify for regular welfare benefits, including disability benefits (see the section in this Guide "[[I need to apply for disability benefits]]"). In some cases, they can also provide ''hardship benefits'' for people who don't qualify for regular welfare benefits. Workers at the Ministry and First Nations bands will also know about emergency shelters in the area.

{{Tipsbox
| width = 50%
| tips = If you live on reserve, call the First Nations band office and ask to speak to the social development worker. This person can help with your application for welfare.}}

== First steps ==
#Applying for welfare in BC has two stages. You can start the first stage in three ways:
#*by calling the Ministry Call Centre at 1-866-866-0800, and telling them that you want to apply for welfare,
#*by completing the welfare application process online at [https://www.myselfserve.gov.bc.ca www.myselfserve.gov.bc.ca] (you must know your SIN number to apply online, have an email address, and create a BCeID user account ), or
#*by going in person to a Ministry office.
#At this first stage:
#*if you are leaving an abusive situation (e.g. emotional, financial, physical or other abuse from a spouse, partner or other relative), it is important to tell the Ministry worker right away. The Ministry should schedule the second stage of your welfare application, called an eligibility interview, within one business day, and give you some help with food, shelter or medical attention before your eligibility interview if you have urgent needs.
#*if you have an urgent need for shelter, food or medical help (like paying for a prescription), and cannot wait three weeks to start receiving welfare benefits, then you need to tell the Ministry worker. Ask for an ''Immediate Needs Assessment''. If you are eligible for an Immediate Needs Assessment, the Ministry should complete your eligibility interview as soon as possible, within five business days. While you are waiting for your eligibility interview, the Ministry should make sure your immediate needs are met (for example, by giving you food vouchers, money or bus tickets if you need medical transportation, etc.).

{{Tipsbox
| width = 90%
| tips = As of May 2017, Ministry offices and the Call Centre were experiencing significant backlogs, causing delays in Immediate Needs Assessments. If you are in serious need and are not getting a prompt response from the Ministry (including the Call Centre), speak with an advocate.}}

== What happens next ==
After finishing the first stage of the welfare application, most people have to spend three or five weeks looking for work, and provide the Ministry with proof of their work search. During those three to five weeks you do not receive any financial help from the Ministry. A five week work search applies if neither you nor your partner have received welfare in BC before. A three week work search applies if you or your partner have previously received welfare in BC. Once your work search is over, you move on to an eligibility interview with the Ministry, which is a detailed interview, in person or by phone, to see if you are eligible for income assistance or hardship benefits.

If you qualify for welfare, the Ministry should get funds to you shortly after your eligibility interview. If you don't qualify for regular welfare, you may still qualify for [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/policies-for-government/bcea-policy-and-procedure-manual/hardship-assistance?keyword=hardship&keyword=assistance hardship assistance]. Some kinds of hardship assistance (but not all) must be repaid to the Ministry.

{{Tipsbox
| width = 90%
| tips = One exception to the requirement to do a three or five week work search before the eligibility interview with the Ministry is if you have an urgent need for shelter, food or medical attention. There are other exceptions, like single parents with a child under three, people 65 or over, or those with a physical or medical condition that precludes them from looking for work.. For a full list of people who do not have to do a three or five week work search, see the [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/policies-for-government/bcea-policy-and-procedure-manual/application-and-intake/work-search?keyword=work&keyword=search&keyword=exemptions BC Employment and Assistance (BCEA) Application Policy].}}

== Where to get help ==
See the [[Resource List for Legal Help for British Columbians|Resource List]] in this Guide for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are:
* The Legal Services Society publications [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''] and [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1964 ''Income Assistance on Reserve in British Columbia''].
* [[BC Employment and Assistance]] website for Ministry policy and further information.
* [[PovNet]], for their "[http://www.povnet.org/find-an-advocate Find An Advocate]" feature for welfare advocates near you.
* [[Access Pro Bono]], [[Lawyer Referral Service]], and [[Private Bar Lawyers|private bar lawyers]].
* The Clicklaw common question "[http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/question/commonquestion/1127 I have to go on welfare. What do I need to know before I apply?]." Clicklaw has many common questions on the topic "Pensions, benefits & welfare."

Before meeting with a lawyer or advocate, complete the form [[Preparing for Your Interview]] included in this Guide. Make sure you bring copies of all documents relating to your case.

{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[Alison Ward]], March 2018}}

{{Template:Legal Help Guide Navbox|type=problems}}

{{Creative Commons for Legal Help Guide}}

I'm Being Investigated by the Welfare Ministry

2018-03-07T20:57:39Z

Alison Ward: updated legal review date

{{Template:Legal Help Guide TOC}}If the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction ("the Ministry") believes that you have received welfare benefits you shouldn't have, they may ask you to repay them. The same applies for the Administering Authority for welfare on an Indian reserve. This is called an overpayment. If the Ministry believes that you have received the benefit through fraud, or providing false or misleading information, it will investigate and may have you charged with an offence under the ''Criminal Code'' or provincial welfare laws. Fraud means receiving assistance as a result of providing information that you know is false or misleading.

{{Tipsbox
| width = 80%
| tips = Take any accusation of welfare fraud very seriously. Bans on welfare eligibility because of fraud convictions were eliminated on August 1, 2015. But there are still serious consequences of being convicted of welfare fraud. In most cases at least $100 per month will be deducted from your welfare check to pay the Ministry back for money you were convicted of obtaining by fraud or through providing false or misleading information. This deduction will last for at least 12 months. If you were convicted of fraud under the ''Criminal Code'', the deduction will last until all of the funds your conviction related to are repaid. (The exception is that the Ministry can choose to deduct less than $100 per month if you are homeless, at risk of becoming homeless because of the deduction, or if the deduction puts your health or the health of someone else in your family at risk).
}}

== First steps ==

#If you are being investigated by the Ministry, contact an advocate for help. (See the listing for [[PovNet]] in the Resource List of this Guide for contact and website information for welfare advocates in your area.)
#If you are being investigated and think you may be charged with welfare fraud, immediately contact a lawyer for advice. Many criminal lawyers will provide some advice at no charge. Use the internet to search for criminal lawyers in your area or see the Yellow Pages. It is almost always advisable that you don't discuss the accusation with a Ministry investigator before you have spoken with a lawyer.
#If you are charged with welfare fraud under the ''Criminal Code'' or the provincial welfare law, look at the section in this Guide "[[I've been charged with a criminal (or youth) offence and have to go to court]]." Make sure that you apply for legal aid, for a criminal lawyer to represent you.

== What happens next==

The Ministry will continue their investigation and will probably want to speak with you. This can be tricky. You have to provide certain information to the Ministry in order to continue receiving benefits, but it is generally not a good idea to discuss anything with them that could lead to a criminal charge and conviction. Be guided by legal advice, and speak with a welfare advocate about what information you need to provide to the Ministry in order to continue receiving benefits.

== Where to get help==

See the [[Resource List for Legal Help for British Columbians|Resource List]] of this Guide for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are:
*[[Legal Aid Representation|Legal aid representation]], to see if you qualify for legal aid.
*[[Duty Counsel|Criminal duty counsel]], to see if you qualify for assistance if you have to appear in court.
*[[PovNet]], including their [http://www.povnet.org/find-an-advocate Find An Advocate]" feature for welfare advocates near you.
*[[Access Pro Bono]], [[Lawyer Referral Service]], and [[Private Bar Lawyers|private bar lawyers]].

Before meeting with a lawyer or advocate, complete the form [[Preparing for Your Interview]] included in this Guide. Make sure you bring copies of all documents relating to your case.

{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[Alison Ward]], March 2018}}

{{Template:Legal Help Guide Navbox|type=problems}}

{{Creative Commons for Legal Help Guide}}

I'm Being Investigated by the Welfare Ministry

2018-03-07T20:55:55Z

Alison Ward: updated ministry name

{{Template:Legal Help Guide TOC}}If the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction ("the Ministry") believes that you have received welfare benefits you shouldn't have, they may ask you to repay them. The same applies for the Administering Authority for welfare on an Indian reserve. This is called an overpayment. If the Ministry believes that you have received the benefit through fraud, or providing false or misleading information, it will investigate and may have you charged with an offence under the ''Criminal Code'' or provincial welfare laws. Fraud means receiving assistance as a result of providing information that you know is false or misleading.

{{Tipsbox
| width = 80%
| tips = Take any accusation of welfare fraud very seriously. Bans on welfare eligibility because of fraud convictions were eliminated on August 1, 2015. But there are still serious consequences of being convicted of welfare fraud. In most cases at least $100 per month will be deducted from your welfare check to pay the Ministry back for money you were convicted of obtaining by fraud or through providing false or misleading information. This deduction will last for at least 12 months. If you were convicted of fraud under the ''Criminal Code'', the deduction will last until all of the funds your conviction related to are repaid. (The exception is that the Ministry can choose to deduct less than $100 per month if you are homeless, at risk of becoming homeless because of the deduction, or if the deduction puts your health or the health of someone else in your family at risk).
}}

== First steps ==

#If you are being investigated by the Ministry, contact an advocate for help. (See the listing for [[PovNet]] in the Resource List of this Guide for contact and website information for welfare advocates in your area.)
#If you are being investigated and think you may be charged with welfare fraud, immediately contact a lawyer for advice. Many criminal lawyers will provide some advice at no charge. Use the internet to search for criminal lawyers in your area or see the Yellow Pages. It is almost always advisable that you don't discuss the accusation with a Ministry investigator before you have spoken with a lawyer.
#If you are charged with welfare fraud under the ''Criminal Code'' or the provincial welfare law, look at the section in this Guide "[[I've been charged with a criminal (or youth) offence and have to go to court]]." Make sure that you apply for legal aid, for a criminal lawyer to represent you.

== What happens next==

The Ministry will continue their investigation and will probably want to speak with you. This can be tricky. You have to provide certain information to the Ministry in order to continue receiving benefits, but it is generally not a good idea to discuss anything with them that could lead to a criminal charge and conviction. Be guided by legal advice, and speak with a welfare advocate about what information you need to provide to the Ministry in order to continue receiving benefits.

== Where to get help==

See the [[Resource List for Legal Help for British Columbians|Resource List]] of this Guide for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are:
*[[Legal Aid Representation|Legal aid representation]], to see if you qualify for legal aid.
*[[Duty Counsel|Criminal duty counsel]], to see if you qualify for assistance if you have to appear in court.
*[[PovNet]], including their [http://www.povnet.org/find-an-advocate Find An Advocate]" feature for welfare advocates near you.
*[[Access Pro Bono]], [[Lawyer Referral Service]], and [[Private Bar Lawyers|private bar lawyers]].

Before meeting with a lawyer or advocate, complete the form [[Preparing for Your Interview]] included in this Guide. Make sure you bring copies of all documents relating to your case.

{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[Alison Ward]], May 2017}}

{{Template:Legal Help Guide Navbox|type=problems}}

{{Creative Commons for Legal Help Guide}}

I Need to Apply for Disability Benefits

2018-03-07T20:53:54Z

Alison Ward:

{{Template:Legal Help Guide TOC}}If you have disabilities and you are financially eligible, you may qualify for disability benefits from the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction ("the Ministry"). There are two main types of disability benefits: disability assistance for people who the Ministry designates as Persons with Disabilities (PWD), and PPMB benefits for applicants who the Ministry designates as Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers to employment (PPMB).

To qualify for the PWD designation:
*you must be at least 18 years old,
*you must have a severe mental or physical impairment that is likely to last at least two years,
*your disability must directly and significantly restrict your ability to do specific daily activities (either continuously or for extended periods of time), and
*you must need significant help from another person to do specific daily activities, or else require help from an assistive device or assistance animal to perform those activities.

If you do not qualify for the PWD designation, you may still qualify for the PPMB designation. To qualify for the PPMB designation:
*you must have a medical condition (other than an addiction) that seriously affects your ability to look for, accept or continue employment, and
*your doctor must confirm that your medical condition has lasted for at least one year, or has occurred frequently in the past year, and is likely to last for at least another two years.

Please note that PPMB benefits are only available to people who have been on welfare for 12 out of the previous 15 months.

{{Tipsbox
| width = 70%
| tips = The criteria for PWD benefits and PPMB benefits are complicated. Try to get help from an advocate in filling out your application. A lot of people tend to minimize their disabilities. It is much better to put in a very thorough application, than to be turned down and have to appeal.
}}

== First steps ==
See the Legal Services Society publication [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare'']for a summary of the process for applying for PWD benefits and PPMB benefits, at pages 44 to 46.
=== PWD benefits ===

#If you are not already receiving income assistance or PPMB benefits, you must first apply for welfare (see page 44 of the Legal Services Society publication [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''])
#Ask a Ministry worker for a Persons with Disabilities Designation Application Form.
#Complete the application carefully. It is more than 20 pages long and has three parts: Part 1 for you to complete, Part 2 for your doctor to complete, and Part 3 for an ''assessor'' to complete. The assessor can be your doctor, or an occupational therapist, physical therapist, social worker, registered psychologist, registered nurse, registered psychiatric nurse, chiropractor or nurse practitioner.
#Mail your application to the address on the application.

=== PPMB benefits ===
#Tell a Ministry worker you want to apply for the PPMB designation. He or she will do an assessment of your non-medical barriers to employment (e.g., lack of education, literacy or work history) and give you a medical report form for your doctor to complete (see page 46 of [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare'']).
#Your doctor must complete the application, including details about why your medical condition stops you from looking for, accepting or continuing to work.
#Get the completed medical report form from your doctor and return it to the Ministry.

== What happens next ==
A decision will be made and you will be advised of the decision. If you are not happy with the decision, you can ask for a reconsideration, and then an appeal. See the section "[[I have been denied or cut off welfare]]," as the process is the same.

== Where to get help ==
See the [[Resource List for Legal Help for British Columbians|Resource List]] in this Guide for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are:
*The Legal Services Society publications [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''] and [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1964 ''Social Assistance on Reserve in British Columbia''].
*[[Advocacy Access Program]], a service of Disability Alliance BC (formerly known as the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities). Also try their [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/organization/solveproblems/1013 Help Sheet Series].
*[[PovNet]], for their "[http://www.povnet.org/find-an-advocate Find An Advocate]" feature for welfare advocates near you.
*[[Access Pro Bono]], [[Lawyer Referral Service]], and [[Private Bar Lawyers|private bar lawyers]].
*The Clicklaw common question "[http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/question/commonquestion/1054 I want to find out about getting BC disability benefits]." Clicklaw has many common questions on the topic "Pensions, benefits & welfare."

{{Tipsbox
| width = 80%
| tips = If you have contributed to the Canada Pension Plan through employment and have a disability that prevents you from working at any job on a regular basis, you may qualify for Canada Pension Plan disability benefits. To get more information or apply for CPP disability benefits, call Income Security Programs at 1-800-277-9914 or go to the [https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp.html CPP website].
}}

{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[Alison Ward]], March 2018}}

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{{Creative Commons for Legal Help Guide}}

I Need to Apply for Disability Benefits

2018-03-07T20:48:29Z

Alison Ward: updated ministry name

{{Template:Legal Help Guide TOC}}If you have disabilities and you are financially eligible, you may qualify for disability benefits from the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction ("the Ministry"). There are two main types of disability benefits: disability assistance for people who the Ministry designates as Persons with Disabilities (PWD), and PPMB benefits for applicants who the Ministry designates as Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers to employment (PPMB).

To qualify for the PWD designation:
*you must be at least 18 years old,
*you must have a severe mental or physical impairment that is likely to last at least two years,
*your disability must directly and significantly restrict your ability to do specific daily activities (either continuously or for extended periods of time), and
*you must need significant help from another person to do specific daily activities, or else require help from an assistive device or assistance animal to perform those activities.

If you do not qualify for the PWD designation, you may still qualify for the PPMB designation. To qualify for the PPMB designation:
*you must have a medical condition (other than an addiction) that seriously affects your ability to look for, accept or continue employment, and
*your doctor must confirm that your medical condition has lasted for at least one year, or has occurred frequently in the past year, and is likely to last for at least another two years.

Please note that PPMB benefits are only available to people who have been on welfare for 12 out of the previous 15 months.

{{Tipsbox
| width = 70%
| tips = The criteria for PWD benefits and PPMB benefits are complicated. Try to get help from an advocate in filling out your application. A lot of people tend to minimize their disabilities. It is much better to put in a very thorough application, than to be turned down and have to appeal.
}}

== First steps ==
See the Legal Services Society publication [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare'']for a summary of the process for applying for PWD benefits and PPMB benefits, at pages 44 to 46.
=== PWD benefits ===

#If you are not already receiving income assistance or PPMB benefits, you must first apply for welfare (see page 44 of the Legal Services Society publication [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''])
#Ask a Ministry worker for a Persons with Disabilities Designation Application Form.
#Complete the application carefully. It is more than 20 pages long and has three parts: Part 1 for you to complete, Part 2 for your doctor to complete, and Part 3 for an ''assessor'' to complete. The assessor can be your doctor, or an occupational therapist, physical therapist, social worker, registered psychologist, registered nurse, registered psychiatric nurse, chiropractor or nurse practitioner.
#Mail your application to the address on the application.

=== PPMB benefits ===
#Tell a Ministry worker you want to apply for the PPMB designation. He or she will do an assessment of your non-medical barriers to employment (e.g., lack of education, literacy or work history) and give you a medical report form for your doctor to complete (see page 46 of [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare'']).
#Your doctor must complete the application, including details about why your medical condition stops you from looking for, accepting or continuing to work.
#Get the completed medical report form from your doctor and return it to the Ministry.

== What happens next ==
A decision will be made and you will be advised of the decision. If you are not happy with the decision, you can ask for a reconsideration, and then an appeal. See the section "[[I have been denied or cut off welfare]]," as the process is the same.

== Where to get help ==
See the [[Resource List for Legal Help for British Columbians|Resource List]] in this Guide for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are:
*The Legal Services Society publications [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''] and [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1964 ''Social Assistance on Reserve in British Columbia''].
*[[Advocacy Access Program]], a service of Disability Alliance BC (formerly known as the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities). Also try their [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/organization/solveproblems/1013 Help Sheet Series].
*[[PovNet]], for their "[http://www.povnet.org/find-an-advocate Find An Advocate]" feature for welfare advocates near you.
*[[Access Pro Bono]], [[Lawyer Referral Service]], and [[Private Bar Lawyers|private bar lawyers]].
*The Clicklaw common question "[http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/question/commonquestion/1054 I want to find out about getting BC disability benefits]." Clicklaw has many common questions on the topic "Pensions, benefits & welfare."

{{Tipsbox
| width = 80%
| tips = If you have contributed to the Canada Pension Plan through employment and have a disability that prevents you from working at any job on a regular basis, you may qualify for Canada Pension Plan disability benefits. To get more information or apply for CPP disability benefits, call Income Security Programs at 1-800-277-9914 or go to the [https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp.html CPP website].
}}

{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[Alison Ward]], May 2017}}

{{Template:Legal Help Guide Navbox|type=problems}}

{{Creative Commons for Legal Help Guide}}

I Have Been Denied or Cut off Welfare

2018-03-07T20:47:21Z

Alison Ward: updated legal review date

{{Template:Legal Help Guide TOC}}
You have the right to challenge (appeal) most decisions about having a monthly benefit or supplement denied, cut off, or reduced. You can also challenge some decisions about penalties, and if the ministry says you are not eligible for [http://wiki.clicklaw.bc.ca/index.php/I_need_to_apply_for_disability_benefits the PWD designation] or for designation as a Person with Persistent Multiple Barriers to Employment ("PPMB").

You can ask for a reconsideration of the Ministry’s decision. If that does not work, you can usually file an appeal to the Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal, or EAAT.

{{Tipsbox
| width = 70%
| tips = Most people get welfare through the provincial government Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. People who live on an Indian reserve get welfare through the First Nations band or tribal council. The process is roughly the same on and off reserve.

If you live on reserve, call the band office and ask to speak to the social development worker. This person can help with your application for emergency income assistance or hardship benefits, and tell you what to do if you want to appeal a decision.
}}

== First steps ==

'''Before you get started:'''

:* Be sure to read the "Reconsideration and Appeal" topic at page 47 of [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare'']. It tells you what steps to take and what to expect.

:* Get help from an advocate. (See the listing for PovNet in the Resource List of this Guide for contact and website information for welfare advocates in your area.)

'''To start the process:'''

Follow the steps in the Reconsideration and Appeal topic at page 47 of [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''].

In summary, here is how you begin:

# You ask a Ministry worker why the benefit or supplement was denied, cut off or reduced. Get them to tell you what law or policy they based their decision on.
# You ask a Ministry worker to prepare and provide you with a Request for Reconsideration form.
# Follow the tips and information for reconsideration in [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare'']. Complete the Request for Reconsideration form and return it to the welfare office ''within 20 business days''. When you complete the form, focus on how the Ministry applied the welfare rules incorrectly. Attach copies of any documents or other evidence that supports your side of the story. Also be sure to attach any evidence the Ministry used to make their decision. If you need more time to give the Ministry more documents or argument, see the information about how to ask for more time at page 47 in [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''].

{{Tipsbox
| width = 70%
| tips = It is very important to make your best case when you are requesting a reconsideration. Supply as much information as you can. If you have to appeal a decision after reconsideration, ''you may be limited to the information you used'' in your original Request for Reconsideration. See the listing for [http://wiki.clicklaw.bc.ca/index.php/PovNet PovNet] in the Resource List of this guide to contact a welfare advocate in your area.
}}

'''What happens next'''

You should receive a response to your request for reconsideration within a couple of weeks. If you don’t, contact the Ministry and ask a worker to explain why there is a delay. If you are not satisfied with their explanation, ask to speak to a supervisor.

The reconsideration decision will say whether or not your benefit or supplement has been granted or refused. It should also say which law or policy the Ministry based the reconsideration decision on, and whether you may appeal the decision to the [http://www.eaat.ca/home "Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal"].

If you don’t agree with the reconsideration decision and want to appeal it, you must file a [http://www.eaat.ca/appeal-parties/how-to-appeal Notice of Appeal] with the [http://www.eaat.ca/home "Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal"] within 7 business days of the date you received the reconsideration decision. Get an advocate to help you with your appeal. See the listing for [http://wiki.clicklaw.bc.ca/index.php/PovNet PovNet] in the Resource List of this guide to contact a welfare advocate in your area.

== Where to get help ==
See the [[Resource List for Legal Help for British Columbians|Resource List]] in this guide for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are:

:*The Legal Services Society publications [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''] and [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1964 ''Income Assistance on Reserve in British Columbia''].
:*[[BC Employment and Assistance]] website. At the website, go to the information on [http://www.mhr.gov.bc.ca/publicat/bcea/appeal.htm Reconsideration and Appeals]
:*[[PovNet]], for their [http://www.povnet.org/find-an-advocate Find An Advocate] feature for welfare advocates near you.
:*[[Access Pro Bono]], [[Lawyer Referral Service]], and [[Private Bar Lawyers|private bar lawyers]].
:*The Clicklaw common questions [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/question/commonquestion/1021 If I don’t get welfare this month I’ll lose my housing] and [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/question/commonquestion/1106 I have an outstanding arrest warrant and I need welfare. What can I do?]. Clicklaw has many common questions on the topic pensions, benefits & welfare.

Before you meet with a lawyer or advocate, complete the form [[Preparing for Your Interview]] included in this guide. Make sure to take copies of all the documents about your case.

{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[Alison Ward]], March 2018}}

{{Template:Legal Help Guide Navbox|type=problems}}

{{Creative Commons for Legal Help Guide}}

I Have Been Denied or Cut off Welfare

2018-03-07T20:37:36Z

Alison Ward: updated publication name

{{Template:Legal Help Guide TOC}}
You have the right to challenge (appeal) most decisions about having a monthly benefit or supplement denied, cut off, or reduced. You can also challenge some decisions about penalties, and if the ministry says you are not eligible for [http://wiki.clicklaw.bc.ca/index.php/I_need_to_apply_for_disability_benefits the PWD designation] or for designation as a Person with Persistent Multiple Barriers to Employment ("PPMB").

You can ask for a reconsideration of the Ministry’s decision. If that does not work, you can usually file an appeal to the Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal, or EAAT.

{{Tipsbox
| width = 70%
| tips = Most people get welfare through the provincial government Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. People who live on an Indian reserve get welfare through the First Nations band or tribal council. The process is roughly the same on and off reserve.

If you live on reserve, call the band office and ask to speak to the social development worker. This person can help with your application for emergency income assistance or hardship benefits, and tell you what to do if you want to appeal a decision.
}}

== First steps ==

'''Before you get started:'''

:* Be sure to read the "Reconsideration and Appeal" topic at page 47 of [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare'']. It tells you what steps to take and what to expect.

:* Get help from an advocate. (See the listing for PovNet in the Resource List of this Guide for contact and website information for welfare advocates in your area.)

'''To start the process:'''

Follow the steps in the Reconsideration and Appeal topic at page 47 of [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''].

In summary, here is how you begin:

# You ask a Ministry worker why the benefit or supplement was denied, cut off or reduced. Get them to tell you what law or policy they based their decision on.
# You ask a Ministry worker to prepare and provide you with a Request for Reconsideration form.
# Follow the tips and information for reconsideration in [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare'']. Complete the Request for Reconsideration form and return it to the welfare office ''within 20 business days''. When you complete the form, focus on how the Ministry applied the welfare rules incorrectly. Attach copies of any documents or other evidence that supports your side of the story. Also be sure to attach any evidence the Ministry used to make their decision. If you need more time to give the Ministry more documents or argument, see the information about how to ask for more time at page 47 in [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''].

{{Tipsbox
| width = 70%
| tips = It is very important to make your best case when you are requesting a reconsideration. Supply as much information as you can. If you have to appeal a decision after reconsideration, ''you may be limited to the information you used'' in your original Request for Reconsideration. See the listing for [http://wiki.clicklaw.bc.ca/index.php/PovNet PovNet] in the Resource List of this guide to contact a welfare advocate in your area.
}}

'''What happens next'''

You should receive a response to your request for reconsideration within a couple of weeks. If you don’t, contact the Ministry and ask a worker to explain why there is a delay. If you are not satisfied with their explanation, ask to speak to a supervisor.

The reconsideration decision will say whether or not your benefit or supplement has been granted or refused. It should also say which law or policy the Ministry based the reconsideration decision on, and whether you may appeal the decision to the [http://www.eaat.ca/home "Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal"].

If you don’t agree with the reconsideration decision and want to appeal it, you must file a [http://www.eaat.ca/appeal-parties/how-to-appeal Notice of Appeal] with the [http://www.eaat.ca/home "Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal"] within 7 business days of the date you received the reconsideration decision. Get an advocate to help you with your appeal. See the listing for [http://wiki.clicklaw.bc.ca/index.php/PovNet PovNet] in the Resource List of this guide to contact a welfare advocate in your area.

== Where to get help ==
See the [[Resource List for Legal Help for British Columbians|Resource List]] in this guide for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are:

:*The Legal Services Society publications [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''] and [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1964 ''Income Assistance on Reserve in British Columbia''].
:*[[BC Employment and Assistance]] website. At the website, go to the information on [http://www.mhr.gov.bc.ca/publicat/bcea/appeal.htm Reconsideration and Appeals]
:*[[PovNet]], for their [http://www.povnet.org/find-an-advocate Find An Advocate] feature for welfare advocates near you.
:*[[Access Pro Bono]], [[Lawyer Referral Service]], and [[Private Bar Lawyers|private bar lawyers]].
:*The Clicklaw common questions [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/question/commonquestion/1021 If I don’t get welfare this month I’ll lose my housing] and [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/question/commonquestion/1106 I have an outstanding arrest warrant and I need welfare. What can I do?]. Clicklaw has many common questions on the topic pensions, benefits & welfare.

Before you meet with a lawyer or advocate, complete the form [[Preparing for Your Interview]] included in this guide. Make sure to take copies of all the documents about your case.

{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[Alison Ward]], May 2017}}

{{Template:Legal Help Guide Navbox|type=problems}}

{{Creative Commons for Legal Help Guide}}

I Have Been Denied or Cut off Welfare

2018-03-07T20:32:56Z

Alison Ward: updated terminology

{{Template:Legal Help Guide TOC}}
You have the right to challenge (appeal) most decisions about having a monthly benefit or supplement denied, cut off, or reduced. You can also challenge some decisions about penalties, and if the ministry says you are not eligible for [http://wiki.clicklaw.bc.ca/index.php/I_need_to_apply_for_disability_benefits the PWD designation] or for designation as a Person with Persistent Multiple Barriers to Employment ("PPMB").

You can ask for a reconsideration of the Ministry’s decision. If that does not work, you can usually file an appeal to the Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal, or EAAT.

{{Tipsbox
| width = 70%
| tips = Most people get welfare through the provincial government Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. People who live on an Indian reserve get welfare through the First Nations band or tribal council. The process is roughly the same on and off reserve.

If you live on reserve, call the band office and ask to speak to the social development worker. This person can help with your application for emergency income assistance or hardship benefits, and tell you what to do if you want to appeal a decision.
}}

== First steps ==

'''Before you get started:'''

:* Be sure to read the "Reconsideration and Appeal" topic at page 47 of [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare'']. It tells you what steps to take and what to expect.

:* Get help from an advocate. (See the listing for PovNet in the Resource List of this Guide for contact and website information for welfare advocates in your area.)

'''To start the process:'''

Follow the steps in the Reconsideration and Appeal topic at page 47 of [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''].

In summary, here is how you begin:

# You ask a Ministry worker why the benefit or supplement was denied, cut off or reduced. Get them to tell you what law or policy they based their decision on.
# You ask a Ministry worker to prepare and provide you with a Request for Reconsideration form.
# Follow the tips and information for reconsideration in [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare'']. Complete the Request for Reconsideration form and return it to the welfare office ''within 20 business days''. When you complete the form, focus on how the Ministry applied the welfare rules incorrectly. Attach copies of any documents or other evidence that supports your side of the story. Also be sure to attach any evidence the Ministry used to make their decision. If you need more time to give the Ministry more documents or argument, see the information about how to ask for more time at page 47 in [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''].

{{Tipsbox
| width = 70%
| tips = It is very important to make your best case when you are requesting a reconsideration. Supply as much information as you can. If you have to appeal a decision after reconsideration, ''you may be limited to the information you used'' in your original Request for Reconsideration. See the listing for [http://wiki.clicklaw.bc.ca/index.php/PovNet PovNet] in the Resource List of this guide to contact a welfare advocate in your area.
}}

'''What happens next'''

You should receive a response to your request for reconsideration within a couple of weeks. If you don’t, contact the Ministry and ask a worker to explain why there is a delay. If you are not satisfied with their explanation, ask to speak to a supervisor.

The reconsideration decision will say whether or not your benefit or supplement has been granted or refused. It should also say which law or policy the Ministry based the reconsideration decision on, and whether you may appeal the decision to the [http://www.eaat.ca/home "Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal"].

If you don’t agree with the reconsideration decision and want to appeal it, you must file a [http://www.eaat.ca/appeal-parties/how-to-appeal Notice of Appeal] with the [http://www.eaat.ca/home "Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal"] within 7 business days of the date you received the reconsideration decision. Get an advocate to help you with your appeal. See the listing for [http://wiki.clicklaw.bc.ca/index.php/PovNet PovNet] in the Resource List of this guide to contact a welfare advocate in your area.

== Where to get help ==
See the [[Resource List for Legal Help for British Columbians|Resource List]] in this guide for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are:

:*The Legal Services Society publications [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''] and [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1964 ''Social Assistance on Reserve in British Columbia''].
:*[[BC Employment and Assistance]] website. At the website, go to the information on [http://www.mhr.gov.bc.ca/publicat/bcea/appeal.htm Reconsideration and Appeals]
:*[[PovNet]], for their [http://www.povnet.org/find-an-advocate Find An Advocate] feature for welfare advocates near you.
:*[[Access Pro Bono]], [[Lawyer Referral Service]], and [[Private Bar Lawyers|private bar lawyers]].
:*The Clicklaw common questions [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/question/commonquestion/1021 If I don’t get welfare this month I’ll lose my housing] and [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/question/commonquestion/1106 I have an outstanding arrest warrant and I need welfare. What can I do?]. Clicklaw has many common questions on the topic pensions, benefits & welfare.

Before you meet with a lawyer or advocate, complete the form [[Preparing for Your Interview]] included in this guide. Make sure to take copies of all the documents about your case.

{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[Alison Ward]], May 2017}}

{{Template:Legal Help Guide Navbox|type=problems}}

{{Creative Commons for Legal Help Guide}}

I Have Been Denied or Cut off Welfare

2018-03-07T20:24:30Z

Alison Ward:

{{Template:Legal Help Guide TOC}}
You have the right to challenge (appeal) most decisions about having a monthly benefit or supplement denied, cut off, or reduced. You can also challenge some decisions about penalties, and if the ministry says you are not eligible for [http://wiki.clicklaw.bc.ca/index.php/I_need_to_apply_for_disability_benefits the PWD designation] or for designation as a Person with Persistent Multiple Barriers to Employment ("PPMB").

You can ask for a reconsideration of the Ministry’s decision. If that does not work, you can usually file an appeal to the Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal, or EAAT.

{{Tipsbox
| width = 70%
| tips = Most people get welfare through the provincial government Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. People who live on an Indian reserve get welfare through the Indian band or tribal council. The process is roughly the same on and off reserve.

If you live on an Indian reserve, call the band office and ask to speak to the social development worker. This person can help with your application for emergency income assistance or hardship benefits, and tell you what to do if you want to appeal a decision.
}}

== First steps ==

'''Before you get started:'''

:* Be sure to read the "Reconsideration and Appeal" topic at page 47 of [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare'']. It tells you what steps to take and what to expect.

:* Get help from an advocate. (See the listing for PovNet in the Resource List of this Guide for contact and website information for welfare advocates in your area.)

'''To start the process:'''

Follow the steps in the Reconsideration and Appeal topic at page 47 of [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''].

In summary, here is how you begin:

# You ask a Ministry worker why the benefit or supplement was denied, cut off or reduced. Get them to tell you what law or policy they based their decision on.
# You ask a Ministry worker to prepare and provide you with a Request for Reconsideration form.
# Follow the tips and information for reconsideration in [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare'']. Complete the Request for Reconsideration form and return it to the welfare office ''within 20 business days''. When you complete the form, focus on how the Ministry applied the welfare rules incorrectly. Attach copies of any documents or other evidence that supports your side of the story. Also be sure to attach any evidence the Ministry used to make their decision. If you need more time to give the Ministry more documents or argument, see the information about how to ask for more time at page 47 in [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''].

{{Tipsbox
| width = 70%
| tips = It is very important to make your best case when you are requesting a reconsideration. Supply as much information as you can. If you have to appeal a decision after reconsideration, ''you may be limited to the information you used'' in your original Request for Reconsideration. See the listing for [http://wiki.clicklaw.bc.ca/index.php/PovNet PovNet] in the Resource List of this guide to contact a welfare advocate in your area.
}}

'''What happens next'''

You should receive a response to your request for reconsideration within a couple of weeks. If you don’t, contact the Ministry and ask a worker to explain why there is a delay. If you are not satisfied with their explanation, ask to speak to a supervisor.

The reconsideration decision will say whether or not your benefit or supplement has been granted or refused. It should also say which law or policy the Ministry based the reconsideration decision on, and whether you may appeal the decision to the [http://www.eaat.ca/home "Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal"].

If you don’t agree with the reconsideration decision and want to appeal it, you must file a [http://www.eaat.ca/appeal-parties/how-to-appeal Notice of Appeal] with the [http://www.eaat.ca/home "Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal"] within 7 business days of the date you received the reconsideration decision. Get an advocate to help you with your appeal. See the listing for [http://wiki.clicklaw.bc.ca/index.php/PovNet PovNet] in the Resource List of this guide to contact a welfare advocate in your area.

== Where to get help ==
See the [[Resource List for Legal Help for British Columbians|Resource List]] in this guide for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are:

:*The Legal Services Society publications [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''] and [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1964 ''Social Assistance on Reserve in British Columbia''].
:*[[BC Employment and Assistance]] website. At the website, go to the information on [http://www.mhr.gov.bc.ca/publicat/bcea/appeal.htm Reconsideration and Appeals]
:*[[PovNet]], for their [http://www.povnet.org/find-an-advocate Find An Advocate] feature for welfare advocates near you.
:*[[Access Pro Bono]], [[Lawyer Referral Service]], and [[Private Bar Lawyers|private bar lawyers]].
:*The Clicklaw common questions [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/question/commonquestion/1021 If I don’t get welfare this month I’ll lose my housing] and [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/question/commonquestion/1106 I have an outstanding arrest warrant and I need welfare. What can I do?]. Clicklaw has many common questions on the topic pensions, benefits & welfare.

Before you meet with a lawyer or advocate, complete the form [[Preparing for Your Interview]] included in this guide. Make sure to take copies of all the documents about your case.

{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[Alison Ward]], May 2017}}

{{Template:Legal Help Guide Navbox|type=problems}}

{{Creative Commons for Legal Help Guide}}

I Have No Money for Food or Shelter

2018-03-07T20:22:21Z

Alison Ward:

{{Template:Legal Help Guide TOC}}The Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction ("the Ministry") is responsible for providing welfare support in BC, which includes income assistance benefits, disability assistance for Persons with Disabilities ("PWD"), and benefits for Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers to Employment ("PPMB"). The one exception is where the applicant lives on an Indian reserve. For anyone living on reserve, welfare programs are the responsibility of Indigenous Services Canada (formerly called Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada) and are administered by First Nations bands and tribal councils.

Both the Ministry and Indigenous Services Canada can provide funds for shelter and support to people who qualify for regular welfare benefits, including disability benefits (see the section in this Guide "[[I need to apply for disability benefits]]"). In some cases, they can also provide ''hardship benefits'' for people who don't qualify for regular welfare benefits. Workers at the Ministry and First Nations bands will also know about emergency shelters in the area.

{{Tipsbox
| width = 50%
| tips = If you live on reserve, call the First Nations band office and ask to speak to the social development worker. This person can help with your application for welfare.}}

== First steps ==
#Applying for welfare in BC has two stages. You can start the first stage in three ways:
#*by calling the Ministry Call Centre at 1-866-866-0800, and telling them that you want to apply for welfare,
#*by completing the welfare application process online at [https://www.myselfserve.gov.bc.ca www.myselfserve.gov.bc.ca] (you must know your SIN number to apply online, have an email address, and create a BCeID user account ), or
#*by going in person to a Ministry office.
#At this first stage:
#*if you are leaving an abusive situation (e.g. emotional, financial, physical or other abuse from a spouse, partner or other relative), it is important to tell the Ministry worker right away. The Ministry should schedule the second stage of your welfare application, called an eligibility interview, within one business day, and give you some help with food, shelter or medical attention before your eligibility interview if you have urgent needs.
#*if you have an urgent need for shelter, food or medical help (like paying for a prescription), and cannot wait between three to five weeks to start receiving welfare benefits, then you need to tell the Ministry worker. Ask for an ''Immediate Needs Assessment''. If you are eligible for an Immediate Needs Assessment, the Ministry should complete your eligibility interview as soon as possible, within five business days. While you are waiting for your eligibility interview, the Ministry should make sure your immediate needs are met (for example, by giving you food vouchers, money or bus tickets if you need medical transportation, etc.).

{{Tipsbox
| width = 90%
| tips = As of May 2017, Ministry offices and the Call Centre were experiencing significant backlogs, causing delays in Immediate Needs Assessments. If you are in serious need and are not getting a prompt response from the Ministry (including the Call Centre), speak with an advocate.}}

== What happens next ==
After finishing the first stage of the welfare application, most people have to spend three or five weeks looking for work, and provide the Ministry with proof of their work search. During those three to five weeks you do not receive any financial help from the Ministry. A five week work search applies if neither you nor your partner have received welfare in BC before. A three week work search applies if you or your partner have previously received welfare in BC. Once your work search is over, you move on to an eligibility interview with the Ministry, which is a detailed interview, in person or by phone, to see if you are eligible for income assistance or hardship benefits.

If you qualify for welfare, the Ministry should get funds to you shortly after your eligibility interview. If you don't qualify for regular welfare, you may still qualify for hardship assistance [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/policies-for-government/bcea-policy-and-procedure-manual/hardship-assistance?keyword=hardship&keyword=assistance]. Some kinds of hardship assistance (but not all) must be repaid to the Ministry.

{{Tipsbox
| width = 90%
| tips = One exception to the requirement to do a three or five week work search before the eligibility interview with the Ministry is if you have an urgent need for shelter, food or medical attention. There are other exceptions, like single parents with a child under three, people 65 or over, or those with a physical or medical condition that precludes them from looking for work.. For a full list of people who do not have to do a three or five week work search, see the [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/policies-for-government/bcea-policy-and-procedure-manual/application-and-intake/work-search?keyword=work&keyword=search&keyword=exemptions BC Employment and Assistance (BCEA) Application Policy].}}

== Where to get help ==
See the [[Resource List for Legal Help for British Columbians|Resource List]] in this Guide for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are:
* The Legal Services Society publications [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''] and [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1964 ''Income Assistance on Reserve in British Columbia''].
* [[BC Employment and Assistance]] website for Ministry policy and further information.
* [[PovNet]], for their "[http://www.povnet.org/find-an-advocate Find An Advocate]" feature for welfare advocates near you.
* [[Access Pro Bono]], [[Lawyer Referral Service]], and [[Private Bar Lawyers|private bar lawyers]].
* The Clicklaw common question "[http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/question/commonquestion/1127 I have to go on welfare. What do I need to know before I apply?]." Clicklaw has many common questions on the topic "Pensions, benefits & welfare."

Before meeting with a lawyer or advocate, complete the form [[Preparing for Your Interview]] included in this Guide. Make sure you bring copies of all documents relating to your case.

{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[Alison Ward]], March 2018}}

{{Template:Legal Help Guide Navbox|type=problems}}

{{Creative Commons for Legal Help Guide}}

BC Employment and Assistance

2018-03-07T20:16:13Z

Alison Ward:

{{Servicebox
| service_description = The BC Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction's '''BC Employment and Assistance''' program administers income assistance (welfare) benefits.
'''Website:''' Their website provides links to online orientation, work search guidelines and information on fraud and appeals.

| website = [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/organizational-structure/ministries-organizations/ministries/social-development-poverty-reduction www2.gov.bc.ca ]
| phone = Toll free: 1-866-866-0800
}}

<noinclude>{{Template:Legal Help Guide Navbox|type=resources}}</noinclude>

BC Employment and Assistance

2018-03-07T20:11:12Z

Alison Ward: updated link

{{Servicebox
| service_description = The BC Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction's '''BC Employment and Assistance''' program administers income assistance (welfare) benefits.
'''Website:''' Their website provides links to online orientation, work search guidelines and information on fraud and appeals.

| website = [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/organizational-structure/ministries-organizations/ministries/social-development-poverty-reduction ]
| phone = Toll free: 1-866-866-0800
}}

<noinclude>{{Template:Legal Help Guide Navbox|type=resources}}</noinclude>

BC Employment and Assistance

2018-03-07T20:10:26Z

Alison Ward: Undo revision 38280 by AWard (talk)

{{Servicebox
| service_description = The BC Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction's '''BC Employment and Assistance''' program administers income assistance (welfare) benefits.
'''Website:''' Their website provides links to online orientation, work search guidelines and information on fraud and appeals.

| website = [http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/organizational-structure/ministries-organizations/ministries/social-development-and-social-innovation gov.bc.ca]
| phone = Toll free: 1-866-866-0800
}}

<noinclude>{{Template:Legal Help Guide Navbox|type=resources}}</noinclude>

BC Employment and Assistance

2018-03-07T20:08:15Z

Alison Ward: updated link

{{Servicebox
| service_description = The BC Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction's '''BC Employment and Assistance''' program administers income assistance (welfare) benefits.
'''Website:''' Their website provides links to online orientation, work search guidelines and information on fraud and appeals.

| website = [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/family-social-supports/income-assistance]
| phone = Toll free: 1-866-866-0800
}}

<noinclude>{{Template:Legal Help Guide Navbox|type=resources}}</noinclude>

BC Employment and Assistance

2018-03-07T20:06:24Z

Alison Ward: updated ministry name

{{Servicebox
| service_description = The BC Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction's '''BC Employment and Assistance''' program administers income assistance (welfare) benefits.
'''Website:''' Their website provides links to online orientation, work search guidelines and information on fraud and appeals.

| website = [http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/organizational-structure/ministries-organizations/ministries/social-development-and-social-innovation gov.bc.ca]
| phone = Toll free: 1-866-866-0800
}}

<noinclude>{{Template:Legal Help Guide Navbox|type=resources}}</noinclude>

I Have No Money for Food or Shelter

2018-03-07T20:05:10Z

Alison Ward: updated publication name

{{Template:Legal Help Guide TOC}}The Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction ("the Ministry") is responsible for providing welfare support in BC, which includes income assistance benefits, disability assistance for Persons with Disabilities ("PWD"), and benefits for Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers to Employment ("PPMB"). The one exception is where the applicant lives on an Indian reserve. For anyone living on reserve, welfare programs are the responsibility of Indigenous Services Canada (formerly called Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada) and are administered by First Nations bands and tribal councils.

Both the Ministry and Indigenous Services Canada can provide funds for shelter and support to people who qualify for regular welfare benefits, including disability benefits (see the section in this Guide "[[I need to apply for disability benefits]]"). In some cases, they can also provide ''hardship benefits'' for people who don't qualify for regular welfare benefits. Workers at the Ministry and First Nations bands will also know about emergency shelters in the area.

{{Tipsbox
| width = 50%
| tips = If you live on reserve, call the First Nations band office and ask to speak to the social development worker. This person can help with your application for welfare.}}

== First steps ==
#Applying for welfare in BC has two stages. You can start the first stage in three ways:
#*by calling the Ministry Call Centre at 1-866-866-0800, and telling them that you want to apply for welfare,
#*by completing the welfare application process online at [https://www.myselfserve.gov.bc.ca www.myselfserve.gov.bc.ca] (you must know your SIN number to apply online, have an email address, and create a BCeID user account ), or
#*by going in person to a Ministry office.
#At this first stage:
#*if you are leaving an abusive situation (e.g. emotional, financial, physical or other abuse from a spouse, partner or other relative), it is important to tell the Ministry worker right away. The Ministry should schedule the second stage of your welfare application, called an eligibility interview, within one business day, and give you some help with food, shelter or medical attention before your eligibility interview if you have urgent needs.
#*if you have an urgent need for shelter, food or medical help (like paying for a prescription), and cannot wait between three to five weeks to start receiving welfare benefits, then you need to tell the Ministry worker. Ask for an ''Immediate Needs Assessment''. If you are eligible for an Immediate Needs Assessment, the Ministry should complete your eligibility interview as soon as possible, within five business days. While you are waiting for your eligibility interview, the Ministry should make sure your immediate needs are met (for example, by giving you food vouchers, money or bus tickets if you need medical transportation, etc.).

{{Tipsbox
| width = 90%
| tips = As of May 2017, Ministry offices and the Call Centre were experiencing significant backlogs, causing delays in Immediate Needs Assessments. If you are in serious need and are not getting a prompt response from the Ministry (including the Call Centre), speak with an advocate.}}

== What happens next ==
After finishing the first stage of the welfare application, most people have to spend three or five weeks looking for work, and provide the Ministry with proof of their work search. During those three to five weeks you do not receive any financial help from the Ministry. A five week work search applies if neither you nor your partner have received welfare in BC before. A three week work search applies if you or your partner have previously received welfare in BC. Once your work search is over, you move on to an eligibility interview with the Ministry, which is a detailed interview, in person or by phone, to see if you are eligible for income assistance or hardship benefits.

If you qualify for welfare, the Ministry should get funds to you shortly after your eligibility interview. If you don't qualify for regular welfare, you may still qualify for hardship assistance [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/policies-for-government/bcea-policy-and-procedure-manual/hardship-assistance?keyword=hardship&keyword=assistance]. Some kinds of hardship assistance (but not all) must be repaid to the Ministry.

{{Tipsbox
| width = 90%
| tips = One exception to the requirement to do a three or five week work search before the eligibility interview with the Ministry is if you have an urgent need for shelter, food or medical attention. There are other exceptions, like single parents with a child under three, people 65 or over, or those with a physical or medical condition that precludes them from looking for work.. For a full list of people who do not have to do a three or five week work search, see the [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/policies-for-government/bcea-policy-and-procedure-manual/application-and-intake/work-search?keyword=work&keyword=search&keyword=exemptions BC Employment and Assistance (BCEA) Application Policy].}}

== Where to get help ==
See the [[Resource List for Legal Help for British Columbians|Resource List]] in this Guide for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are:
* The Legal Services Society publications [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''] and [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1964 ''Income Assistance on Reserve in British Columbia''].
* [[BC Employment and Assistance]] website for Ministry policy and further information.
* [[PovNet]], for their "[http://www.povnet.org/find-an-advocate Find An Advocate]" feature for welfare advocates near you.
* [[Access Pro Bono]], [[Lawyer Referral Service]], and [[Private Bar Lawyers|private bar lawyers]].
* The Clicklaw common question "[http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/question/commonquestion/1127 I have to go on welfare. What do I need to know before I apply?]." Clicklaw has many common questions on the topic "Pensions, benefits & welfare."

Before meeting with a lawyer or advocate, complete the form [[Preparing for Your Interview]] included in this Guide. Make sure you bring copies of all documents relating to your case.

{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[Alison Ward]], May 2017}}

{{Template:Legal Help Guide Navbox|type=problems}}

{{Creative Commons for Legal Help Guide}}

I Have No Money for Food or Shelter

2018-03-07T20:03:52Z

Alison Ward:

{{Template:Legal Help Guide TOC}}The Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction ("the Ministry") is responsible for providing welfare support in BC, which includes income assistance benefits, disability assistance for Persons with Disabilities ("PWD"), and benefits for Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers to Employment ("PPMB"). The one exception is where the applicant lives on an Indian reserve. For anyone living on reserve, welfare programs are the responsibility of Indigenous Services Canada (formerly called Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada) and are administered by First Nations bands and tribal councils.

Both the Ministry and Indigenous Services Canada can provide funds for shelter and support to people who qualify for regular welfare benefits, including disability benefits (see the section in this Guide "[[I need to apply for disability benefits]]"). In some cases, they can also provide ''hardship benefits'' for people who don't qualify for regular welfare benefits. Workers at the Ministry and First Nations bands will also know about emergency shelters in the area.

{{Tipsbox
| width = 50%
| tips = If you live on reserve, call the First Nations band office and ask to speak to the social development worker. This person can help with your application for welfare.}}

== First steps ==
#Applying for welfare in BC has two stages. You can start the first stage in three ways:
#*by calling the Ministry Call Centre at 1-866-866-0800, and telling them that you want to apply for welfare,
#*by completing the welfare application process online at [https://www.myselfserve.gov.bc.ca www.myselfserve.gov.bc.ca] (you must know your SIN number to apply online, have an email address, and create a BCeID user account ), or
#*by going in person to a Ministry office.
#At this first stage:
#*if you are leaving an abusive situation (e.g. emotional, financial, physical or other abuse from a spouse, partner or other relative), it is important to tell the Ministry worker right away. The Ministry should schedule the second stage of your welfare application, called an eligibility interview, within one business day, and give you some help with food, shelter or medical attention before your eligibility interview if you have urgent needs.
#*if you have an urgent need for shelter, food or medical help (like paying for a prescription), and cannot wait between three to five weeks to start receiving welfare benefits, then you need to tell the Ministry worker. Ask for an ''Immediate Needs Assessment''. If you are eligible for an Immediate Needs Assessment, the Ministry should complete your eligibility interview as soon as possible, within five business days. While you are waiting for your eligibility interview, the Ministry should make sure your immediate needs are met (for example, by giving you food vouchers, money or bus tickets if you need medical transportation, etc.).

{{Tipsbox
| width = 90%
| tips = As of May 2017, Ministry offices and the Call Centre were experiencing significant backlogs, causing delays in Immediate Needs Assessments. If you are in serious need and are not getting a prompt response from the Ministry (including the Call Centre), speak with an advocate.}}

== What happens next ==
After finishing the first stage of the welfare application, most people have to spend three or five weeks looking for work, and provide the Ministry with proof of their work search. During those three to five weeks you do not receive any financial help from the Ministry. A five week work search applies if neither you nor your partner have received welfare in BC before. A three week work search applies if you or your partner have previously received welfare in BC. Once your work search is over, you move on to an eligibility interview with the Ministry, which is a detailed interview, in person or by phone, to see if you are eligible for income assistance or hardship benefits.

If you qualify for welfare, the Ministry should get funds to you shortly after your eligibility interview. If you don't qualify for regular welfare, you may still qualify for hardship assistance [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/policies-for-government/bcea-policy-and-procedure-manual/hardship-assistance?keyword=hardship&keyword=assistance]. Some kinds of hardship assistance (but not all) must be repaid to the Ministry.

{{Tipsbox
| width = 90%
| tips = One exception to the requirement to do a three or five week work search before the eligibility interview with the Ministry is if you have an urgent need for shelter, food or medical attention. There are other exceptions, like single parents with a child under three, people 65 or over, or those with a physical or medical condition that precludes them from looking for work.. For a full list of people who do not have to do a three or five week work search, see the [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/policies-for-government/bcea-policy-and-procedure-manual/application-and-intake/work-search?keyword=work&keyword=search&keyword=exemptions BC Employment and Assistance (BCEA) Application Policy].}}

== Where to get help ==
See the [[Resource List for Legal Help for British Columbians|Resource List]] in this Guide for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are:
* The Legal Services Society publications [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''] and [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1964 ''Social Assistance on Reserve in British Columbia''].
* [[BC Employment and Assistance]] website for Ministry policy and further information.
* [[PovNet]], for their "[http://www.povnet.org/find-an-advocate Find An Advocate]" feature for welfare advocates near you.
* [[Access Pro Bono]], [[Lawyer Referral Service]], and [[Private Bar Lawyers|private bar lawyers]].
* The Clicklaw common question "[http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/question/commonquestion/1127 I have to go on welfare. What do I need to know before I apply?]." Clicklaw has many common questions on the topic "Pensions, benefits & welfare."

Before meeting with a lawyer or advocate, complete the form [[Preparing for Your Interview]] included in this Guide. Make sure you bring copies of all documents relating to your case.

{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[Alison Ward]], May 2017}}

{{Template:Legal Help Guide Navbox|type=problems}}

{{Creative Commons for Legal Help Guide}}

I Have No Money for Food or Shelter

2018-03-07T20:03:13Z

Alison Ward: updated link

{{Template:Legal Help Guide TOC}}The Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction ("the Ministry") is responsible for providing welfare support in BC, which includes income assistance benefits, disability assistance for Persons with Disabilities ("PWD"), and benefits for Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers to Employment ("PPMB"). The one exception is where the applicant lives on an Indian reserve. For anyone living on reserve, welfare programs are the responsibility of Indigenous Services Canada (formerly called Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada) and are administered by First Nations bands and tribal councils.

Both the Ministry and Indigenous Services Canada can provide funds for shelter and support to people who qualify for regular welfare benefits, including disability benefits (see the section in this Guide "[[I need to apply for disability benefits]]"). In some cases, they can also provide ''hardship benefits'' for people who don't qualify for regular welfare benefits. Workers at the Ministry and First Nations bands will also know about emergency shelters in the area.

{{Tipsbox
| width = 50%
| tips = If you live on reserve, call the First Nations band office and ask to speak to the social development worker. This person can help with your application for welfare.}}

== First steps ==
#Applying for welfare in BC has two stages. You can start the first stage in three ways:
#*by calling the Ministry Call Centre at 1-866-866-0800, and telling them that you want to apply for welfare,
#*by completing the welfare application process online at [https://www.myselfserve.gov.bc.ca www.myselfserve.gov.bc.ca] (you must know your SIN number to apply online, have an email address, and create a BCeID user account ), or
#*by going in person to a Ministry office.
#At this first stage:
#*if you are leaving an abusive situation (e.g. emotional, financial, physical or other abuse from a spouse, partner or other relative), it is important to tell the Ministry worker right away. The Ministry should schedule the second stage of your welfare application, called an eligibility interview, within one business day, and give you some help with food, shelter or medical attention before your eligibility interview if you have urgent needs.
#*if you have an urgent need for shelter, food or medical help (like paying for a prescription), and cannot wait between three to five weeks to start receiving welfare benefits, then you need to tell the Ministry worker. Ask for an ''Immediate Needs Assessment''. If you are eligible for an Immediate Needs Assessment, the Ministry should complete your eligibility interview as soon as possible, within five business days. While you are waiting for your eligibility interview, the Ministry should make sure your immediate needs are met (for example, by giving you food vouchers, money or bus tickets if you need medical transportation, etc.).

{{Tipsbox
| width = 90%
| tips = As of May 2017, Ministry offices and the Call Centre were experiencing significant backlogs, causing delays in Immediate Needs Assessments. If you are in serious need and are not getting a prompt response from the Ministry (including the Call Centre), speak with an advocate.}}

== What happens next ==
After finishing the first stage of the welfare application, most people have to spend three or five weeks looking for work, and provide the Ministry with proof of their work search. During those three to five weeks you do not receive any financial help from the Ministry. A five week work search applies if neither you nor your partner have received welfare in BC before. A three week work search applies if you or your partner have previously received welfare in BC. Once your work search is over, you move on to an eligibility interview with the Ministry, which is a detailed interview, in person or by phone, to see if you are eligible for income assistance or hardship benefits.

If you qualify for welfare, the Ministry should get funds to you shortly after your eligibility interview. If you don't qualify for regular welfare, you may still qualify for a [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/policies-for-government/bcea-policy-and-procedure-manual/hardship-assistance?keyword=hardship&keyword=assistance]. Some kinds of hardship assistance (but not all) must be repaid to the Ministry.

{{Tipsbox
| width = 90%
| tips = One exception to the requirement to do a three or five week work search before the eligibility interview with the Ministry is if you have an urgent need for shelter, food or medical attention. There are other exceptions, like single parents with a child under three, people 65 or over, or those with a physical or medical condition that precludes them from looking for work.. For a full list of people who do not have to do a three or five week work search, see the [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/policies-for-government/bcea-policy-and-procedure-manual/application-and-intake/work-search?keyword=work&keyword=search&keyword=exemptions BC Employment and Assistance (BCEA) Application Policy].}}

== Where to get help ==
See the [[Resource List for Legal Help for British Columbians|Resource List]] in this Guide for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are:
* The Legal Services Society publications [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''] and [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1964 ''Social Assistance on Reserve in British Columbia''].
* [[BC Employment and Assistance]] website for Ministry policy and further information.
* [[PovNet]], for their "[http://www.povnet.org/find-an-advocate Find An Advocate]" feature for welfare advocates near you.
* [[Access Pro Bono]], [[Lawyer Referral Service]], and [[Private Bar Lawyers|private bar lawyers]].
* The Clicklaw common question "[http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/question/commonquestion/1127 I have to go on welfare. What do I need to know before I apply?]." Clicklaw has many common questions on the topic "Pensions, benefits & welfare."

Before meeting with a lawyer or advocate, complete the form [[Preparing for Your Interview]] included in this Guide. Make sure you bring copies of all documents relating to your case.

{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[Alison Ward]], May 2017}}

{{Template:Legal Help Guide Navbox|type=problems}}

{{Creative Commons for Legal Help Guide}}

I Have No Money for Food or Shelter

2018-03-07T20:01:13Z

Alison Ward: updated link

{{Template:Legal Help Guide TOC}}The Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction ("the Ministry") is responsible for providing welfare support in BC, which includes income assistance benefits, disability assistance for Persons with Disabilities ("PWD"), and benefits for Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers to Employment ("PPMB"). The one exception is where the applicant lives on an Indian reserve. For anyone living on reserve, welfare programs are the responsibility of Indigenous Services Canada (formerly called Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada) and are administered by First Nations bands and tribal councils.

Both the Ministry and Indigenous Services Canada can provide funds for shelter and support to people who qualify for regular welfare benefits, including disability benefits (see the section in this Guide "[[I need to apply for disability benefits]]"). In some cases, they can also provide ''hardship benefits'' for people who don't qualify for regular welfare benefits. Workers at the Ministry and First Nations bands will also know about emergency shelters in the area.

{{Tipsbox
| width = 50%
| tips = If you live on reserve, call the First Nations band office and ask to speak to the social development worker. This person can help with your application for welfare.}}

== First steps ==
#Applying for welfare in BC has two stages. You can start the first stage in three ways:
#*by calling the Ministry Call Centre at 1-866-866-0800, and telling them that you want to apply for welfare,
#*by completing the welfare application process online at [https://www.myselfserve.gov.bc.ca www.myselfserve.gov.bc.ca] (you must know your SIN number to apply online, have an email address, and create a BCeID user account ), or
#*by going in person to a Ministry office.
#At this first stage:
#*if you are leaving an abusive situation (e.g. emotional, financial, physical or other abuse from a spouse, partner or other relative), it is important to tell the Ministry worker right away. The Ministry should schedule the second stage of your welfare application, called an eligibility interview, within one business day, and give you some help with food, shelter or medical attention before your eligibility interview if you have urgent needs.
#*if you have an urgent need for shelter, food or medical help (like paying for a prescription), and cannot wait between three to five weeks to start receiving welfare benefits, then you need to tell the Ministry worker. Ask for an ''Immediate Needs Assessment''. If you are eligible for an Immediate Needs Assessment, the Ministry should complete your eligibility interview as soon as possible, within five business days. While you are waiting for your eligibility interview, the Ministry should make sure your immediate needs are met (for example, by giving you food vouchers, money or bus tickets if you need medical transportation, etc.).

{{Tipsbox
| width = 90%
| tips = As of May 2017, Ministry offices and the Call Centre were experiencing significant backlogs, causing delays in Immediate Needs Assessments. If you are in serious need and are not getting a prompt response from the Ministry (including the Call Centre), speak with an advocate.}}

== What happens next ==
After finishing the first stage of the welfare application, most people have to spend three or five weeks looking for work, and provide the Ministry with proof of their work search. During those three to five weeks you do not receive any financial help from the Ministry. A five week work search applies if neither you nor your partner have received welfare in BC before. A three week work search applies if you or your partner have previously received welfare in BC. Once your work search is over, you move on to an eligibility interview with the Ministry, which is a detailed interview, in person or by phone, to see if you are eligible for income assistance or hardship benefits.

If you qualify for welfare, the Ministry should get funds to you shortly after your eligibility interview. If you don't qualify for regular welfare, you may still qualify for a [http://www.gov.bc.ca/meia/online_resource/hardship/ hardship benefit]. Some kinds of hardship benefits (but not all) must be repaid to the Ministry.

{{Tipsbox
| width = 90%
| tips = One exception to the requirement to do a three or five week work search before the eligibility interview with the Ministry is if you have an urgent need for shelter, food or medical attention. There are other exceptions, like single parents with a child under three, people 65 or over, or those with a physical or medical condition that precludes them from looking for work.. For a full list of people who do not have to do a three or five week work search, see the [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/policies-for-government/bcea-policy-and-procedure-manual/application-and-intake/work-search?keyword=work&keyword=search&keyword=exemptions BC Employment and Assistance (BCEA) Application Policy].}}

== Where to get help ==
See the [[Resource List for Legal Help for British Columbians|Resource List]] in this Guide for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are:
* The Legal Services Society publications [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''] and [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1964 ''Social Assistance on Reserve in British Columbia''].
* [[BC Employment and Assistance]] website for Ministry policy and further information.
* [[PovNet]], for their "[http://www.povnet.org/find-an-advocate Find An Advocate]" feature for welfare advocates near you.
* [[Access Pro Bono]], [[Lawyer Referral Service]], and [[Private Bar Lawyers|private bar lawyers]].
* The Clicklaw common question "[http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/question/commonquestion/1127 I have to go on welfare. What do I need to know before I apply?]." Clicklaw has many common questions on the topic "Pensions, benefits & welfare."

Before meeting with a lawyer or advocate, complete the form [[Preparing for Your Interview]] included in this Guide. Make sure you bring copies of all documents relating to your case.

{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[Alison Ward]], May 2017}}

{{Template:Legal Help Guide Navbox|type=problems}}

{{Creative Commons for Legal Help Guide}}

I Have No Money for Food or Shelter

2018-03-07T19:57:35Z

Alison Ward: updates terminology

{{Template:Legal Help Guide TOC}}The Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction ("the Ministry") is responsible for providing welfare support in BC, which includes income assistance benefits, disability assistance for Persons with Disabilities ("PWD"), and benefits for Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers to Employment ("PPMB"). The one exception is where the applicant lives on an Indian reserve. For anyone living on reserve, welfare programs are the responsibility of Indigenous Services Canada (formerly called Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada) and are administered by First Nations bands and tribal councils.

Both the Ministry and Indigenous Services Canada can provide funds for shelter and support to people who qualify for regular welfare benefits, including disability benefits (see the section in this Guide "[[I need to apply for disability benefits]]"). In some cases, they can also provide ''hardship benefits'' for people who don't qualify for regular welfare benefits. Workers at the Ministry and First Nations bands will also know about emergency shelters in the area.

{{Tipsbox
| width = 50%
| tips = If you live on reserve, call the First Nations band office and ask to speak to the social development worker. This person can help with your application for welfare.}}

== First steps ==
#Applying for welfare in BC has two stages. You can start the first stage in three ways:
#*by calling the Ministry Call Centre at 1-866-866-0800, and telling them that you want to apply for welfare,
#*by completing the welfare application process online at [https://www.myselfserve.gov.bc.ca www.myselfserve.gov.bc.ca] (you must know your SIN number to apply online, have an email address, and create a BCeID user account ), or
#*by going in person to a Ministry office.
#At this first stage:
#*if you are leaving an abusive situation (e.g. emotional, financial, physical or other abuse from a spouse, partner or other relative), it is important to tell the Ministry worker right away. The Ministry should schedule the second stage of your welfare application, called an eligibility interview, within one business day, and give you some help with food, shelter or medical attention before your eligibility interview if you have urgent needs.
#*if you have an urgent need for shelter, food or medical help (like paying for a prescription), and cannot wait between three to five weeks to start receiving welfare benefits, then you need to tell the Ministry worker. Ask for an ''Immediate Needs Assessment''. If you are eligible for an Immediate Needs Assessment, the Ministry should complete your eligibility interview as soon as possible, within five business days. While you are waiting for your eligibility interview, the Ministry should make sure your immediate needs are met (for example, by giving you food vouchers, money or bus tickets if you need medical transportation, etc.).

{{Tipsbox
| width = 90%
| tips = As of May 2017, Ministry offices and the Call Centre were experiencing significant backlogs, causing delays in Immediate Needs Assessments. If you are in serious need and are not getting a prompt response from the Ministry (including the Call Centre), speak with an advocate.}}

== What happens next ==
After finishing the first stage of the welfare application, most people have to spend three or five weeks looking for work, and provide the Ministry with proof of their work search. During those three to five weeks you do not receive any financial help from the Ministry. A five week work search applies if neither you nor your partner have received welfare in BC before. A three week work search applies if you or your partner have previously received welfare in BC. Once your work search is over, you move on to an eligibility interview with the Ministry, which is a detailed interview, in person or by phone, to see if you are eligible for income assistance or hardship benefits.

If you qualify for welfare, the Ministry should get funds to you shortly after your eligibility interview. If you don't qualify for regular welfare, you may still qualify for a [http://www.gov.bc.ca/meia/online_resource/hardship/ hardship benefit]. Some kinds of hardship benefits (but not all) must be repaid to the Ministry.

{{Tipsbox
| width = 90%
| tips = One exception to the requirement to do a three or five week work search before the eligibility interview with the Ministry is if you have an urgent need for shelter, food or medical attention. There are other exceptions, like single parents with a child under three, people 65 or over, or those with a physical or medical condition that precludes them from looking for work.. For a full list of people who do not have to do a three or five week work search, see the [http://www.gov.bc.ca/meia/online_resource/application/bcea_stage1/policy.html BC Employment and Assistance (BCEA) Application Policy].}}

== Where to get help ==
See the [[Resource List for Legal Help for British Columbians|Resource List]] in this Guide for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are:
* The Legal Services Society publications [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''] and [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1964 ''Social Assistance on Reserve in British Columbia''].
* [[BC Employment and Assistance]] website for Ministry policy and further information.
* [[PovNet]], for their "[http://www.povnet.org/find-an-advocate Find An Advocate]" feature for welfare advocates near you.
* [[Access Pro Bono]], [[Lawyer Referral Service]], and [[Private Bar Lawyers|private bar lawyers]].
* The Clicklaw common question "[http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/question/commonquestion/1127 I have to go on welfare. What do I need to know before I apply?]." Clicklaw has many common questions on the topic "Pensions, benefits & welfare."

Before meeting with a lawyer or advocate, complete the form [[Preparing for Your Interview]] included in this Guide. Make sure you bring copies of all documents relating to your case.

{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[Alison Ward]], May 2017}}

{{Template:Legal Help Guide Navbox|type=problems}}

{{Creative Commons for Legal Help Guide}}

I Have No Money for Food or Shelter

2018-03-07T19:56:40Z

Alison Ward:

{{Template:Legal Help Guide TOC}}The Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction ("the Ministry") is responsible for providing welfare support in BC, which includes income assistance benefits, disability assistance for Persons with Disabilities ("PWD"), and benefits for Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers to Employment ("PPMB"). The one exception is where the applicant lives on an Indian reserve. For anyone living on reserve, welfare programs are the responsibility of Indigenous Services Canada (formerly called Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada) and are administered by First Nations bands and tribal councils.

Both the Ministry and Indigenous Services Canada can provide funds for shelter and support to people who qualify for regular welfare benefits, including disability benefits (see the section in this Guide "[[I need to apply for disability benefits]]"). In some cases, they can also provide ''hardship benefits'' for people who don't qualify for regular welfare benefits. Workers at the Ministry and Indian bands will also know about emergency shelters in the area.

{{Tipsbox
| width = 50%
| tips = If you live on an Indian reserve, call the Indian band office and ask to speak to the social development worker. This person can help with your application for welfare.}}

== First steps ==
#Applying for welfare in BC has two stages. You can start the first stage in three ways:
#*by calling the Ministry Call Centre at 1-866-866-0800, and telling them that you want to apply for welfare,
#*by completing the welfare application process online at [https://www.myselfserve.gov.bc.ca www.myselfserve.gov.bc.ca] (you must know your SIN number to apply online, have an email address, and create a BCeID user account ), or
#*by going in person to a Ministry office.
#At this first stage:
#*if you are leaving an abusive situation (e.g. emotional, financial, physical or other abuse from a spouse, partner or other relative), it is important to tell the Ministry worker right away. The Ministry should schedule the second stage of your welfare application, called an eligibility interview, within one business day, and give you some help with food, shelter or medical attention before your eligibility interview if you have urgent needs.
#*if you have an urgent need for shelter, food or medical help (like paying for a prescription), and cannot wait between three to five weeks to start receiving welfare benefits, then you need to tell the Ministry worker. Ask for an ''Immediate Needs Assessment''. If you are eligible for an Immediate Needs Assessment, the Ministry should complete your eligibility interview as soon as possible, within five business days. While you are waiting for your eligibility interview, the Ministry should make sure your immediate needs are met (for example, by giving you food vouchers, money or bus tickets if you need medical transportation, etc.).

{{Tipsbox
| width = 90%
| tips = As of May 2017, Ministry offices and the Call Centre were experiencing significant backlogs, causing delays in Immediate Needs Assessments. If you are in serious need and are not getting a prompt response from the Ministry (including the Call Centre), speak with an advocate.}}

== What happens next ==
After finishing the first stage of the welfare application, most people have to spend three or five weeks looking for work, and provide the Ministry with proof of their work search. During those three to five weeks you do not receive any financial help from the Ministry. A five week work search applies if neither you nor your partner have received welfare in BC before. A three week work search applies if you or your partner have previously received welfare in BC. Once your work search is over, you move on to an eligibility interview with the Ministry, which is a detailed interview, in person or by phone, to see if you are eligible for income assistance or hardship benefits.

If you qualify for welfare, the Ministry should get funds to you shortly after your eligibility interview. If you don't qualify for regular welfare, you may still qualify for a [http://www.gov.bc.ca/meia/online_resource/hardship/ hardship benefit]. Some kinds of hardship benefits (but not all) must be repaid to the Ministry.

{{Tipsbox
| width = 90%
| tips = One exception to the requirement to do a three or five week work search before the eligibility interview with the Ministry is if you have an urgent need for shelter, food or medical attention. There are other exceptions, like single parents with a child under three, people 65 or over, or those with a physical or medical condition that precludes them from looking for work.. For a full list of people who do not have to do a three or five week work search, see the [http://www.gov.bc.ca/meia/online_resource/application/bcea_stage1/policy.html BC Employment and Assistance (BCEA) Application Policy].}}

== Where to get help ==
See the [[Resource List for Legal Help for British Columbians|Resource List]] in this Guide for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are:
* The Legal Services Society publications [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''] and [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1964 ''Social Assistance on Reserve in British Columbia''].
* [[BC Employment and Assistance]] website for Ministry policy and further information.
* [[PovNet]], for their "[http://www.povnet.org/find-an-advocate Find An Advocate]" feature for welfare advocates near you.
* [[Access Pro Bono]], [[Lawyer Referral Service]], and [[Private Bar Lawyers|private bar lawyers]].
* The Clicklaw common question "[http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/question/commonquestion/1127 I have to go on welfare. What do I need to know before I apply?]." Clicklaw has many common questions on the topic "Pensions, benefits & welfare."

Before meeting with a lawyer or advocate, complete the form [[Preparing for Your Interview]] included in this Guide. Make sure you bring copies of all documents relating to your case.

{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[Alison Ward]], May 2017}}

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{{Creative Commons for Legal Help Guide}}

I Have No Money for Food or Shelter

2018-03-07T19:56:13Z

Alison Ward: Updated federal ministry name and FN

{{Template:Legal Help Guide TOC}}The Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction ("the Ministry") is responsible for providing welfare support in BC, which includes income assistance benefits, disability assistance for Persons with Disabilities ("PWD"), and benefits for Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers to Employment ("PPMB"). The one exception is where the applicant lives on an Indian reserve. For anyone living on reserve, welfare programs are the responsibility of Indigenous Services Canada (formerly called Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada) and are administered by First Nations bands and tribal councils.

Both the Ministry and INAC can provide funds for shelter and support to people who qualify for regular welfare benefits, including disability benefits (see the section in this Guide "[[I need to apply for disability benefits]]"). In some cases, they can also provide ''hardship benefits'' for people who don't qualify for regular welfare benefits. Workers at the Ministry and Indian bands will also know about emergency shelters in the area.

{{Tipsbox
| width = 50%
| tips = If you live on an Indian reserve, call the Indian band office and ask to speak to the social development worker. This person can help with your application for welfare.}}

== First steps ==
#Applying for welfare in BC has two stages. You can start the first stage in three ways:
#*by calling the Ministry Call Centre at 1-866-866-0800, and telling them that you want to apply for welfare,
#*by completing the welfare application process online at [https://www.myselfserve.gov.bc.ca www.myselfserve.gov.bc.ca] (you must know your SIN number to apply online, have an email address, and create a BCeID user account ), or
#*by going in person to a Ministry office.
#At this first stage:
#*if you are leaving an abusive situation (e.g. emotional, financial, physical or other abuse from a spouse, partner or other relative), it is important to tell the Ministry worker right away. The Ministry should schedule the second stage of your welfare application, called an eligibility interview, within one business day, and give you some help with food, shelter or medical attention before your eligibility interview if you have urgent needs.
#*if you have an urgent need for shelter, food or medical help (like paying for a prescription), and cannot wait between three to five weeks to start receiving welfare benefits, then you need to tell the Ministry worker. Ask for an ''Immediate Needs Assessment''. If you are eligible for an Immediate Needs Assessment, the Ministry should complete your eligibility interview as soon as possible, within five business days. While you are waiting for your eligibility interview, the Ministry should make sure your immediate needs are met (for example, by giving you food vouchers, money or bus tickets if you need medical transportation, etc.).

{{Tipsbox
| width = 90%
| tips = As of May 2017, Ministry offices and the Call Centre were experiencing significant backlogs, causing delays in Immediate Needs Assessments. If you are in serious need and are not getting a prompt response from the Ministry (including the Call Centre), speak with an advocate.}}

== What happens next ==
After finishing the first stage of the welfare application, most people have to spend three or five weeks looking for work, and provide the Ministry with proof of their work search. During those three to five weeks you do not receive any financial help from the Ministry. A five week work search applies if neither you nor your partner have received welfare in BC before. A three week work search applies if you or your partner have previously received welfare in BC. Once your work search is over, you move on to an eligibility interview with the Ministry, which is a detailed interview, in person or by phone, to see if you are eligible for income assistance or hardship benefits.

If you qualify for welfare, the Ministry should get funds to you shortly after your eligibility interview. If you don't qualify for regular welfare, you may still qualify for a [http://www.gov.bc.ca/meia/online_resource/hardship/ hardship benefit]. Some kinds of hardship benefits (but not all) must be repaid to the Ministry.

{{Tipsbox
| width = 90%
| tips = One exception to the requirement to do a three or five week work search before the eligibility interview with the Ministry is if you have an urgent need for shelter, food or medical attention. There are other exceptions, like single parents with a child under three, people 65 or over, or those with a physical or medical condition that precludes them from looking for work.. For a full list of people who do not have to do a three or five week work search, see the [http://www.gov.bc.ca/meia/online_resource/application/bcea_stage1/policy.html BC Employment and Assistance (BCEA) Application Policy].}}

== Where to get help ==
See the [[Resource List for Legal Help for British Columbians|Resource List]] in this Guide for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are:
* The Legal Services Society publications [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''] and [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1964 ''Social Assistance on Reserve in British Columbia''].
* [[BC Employment and Assistance]] website for Ministry policy and further information.
* [[PovNet]], for their "[http://www.povnet.org/find-an-advocate Find An Advocate]" feature for welfare advocates near you.
* [[Access Pro Bono]], [[Lawyer Referral Service]], and [[Private Bar Lawyers|private bar lawyers]].
* The Clicklaw common question "[http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/question/commonquestion/1127 I have to go on welfare. What do I need to know before I apply?]." Clicklaw has many common questions on the topic "Pensions, benefits & welfare."

Before meeting with a lawyer or advocate, complete the form [[Preparing for Your Interview]] included in this Guide. Make sure you bring copies of all documents relating to your case.

{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[Alison Ward]], May 2017}}

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I Have No Money for Food or Shelter

2018-03-07T19:52:23Z

Alison Ward: updated name of Ministry

{{Template:Legal Help Guide TOC}}The Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction ("the Ministry") is responsible for providing welfare support in BC, which includes income assistance benefits, disability assistance for Persons with Disabilities ("PWD"), and benefits for Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers to Employment ("PPMB"). The one exception is where the applicant lives on an Indian reserve. For anyone living on reserve, welfare programs are the responsibility of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) and are administered by Indian bands and tribal councils.

Both the Ministry and INAC can provide funds for shelter and support to people who qualify for regular welfare benefits, including disability benefits (see the section in this Guide "[[I need to apply for disability benefits]]"). In some cases, they can also provide ''hardship benefits'' for people who don't qualify for regular welfare benefits. Workers at the Ministry and Indian bands will also know about emergency shelters in the area.

{{Tipsbox
| width = 50%
| tips = If you live on an Indian reserve, call the Indian band office and ask to speak to the social development worker. This person can help with your application for welfare.}}

== First steps ==
#Applying for welfare in BC has two stages. You can start the first stage in three ways:
#*by calling the Ministry Call Centre at 1-866-866-0800, and telling them that you want to apply for welfare,
#*by completing the welfare application process online at [https://www.myselfserve.gov.bc.ca www.myselfserve.gov.bc.ca] (you must know your SIN number to apply online, have an email address, and create a BCeID user account ), or
#*by going in person to a Ministry office.
#At this first stage:
#*if you are leaving an abusive situation (e.g. emotional, financial, physical or other abuse from a spouse, partner or other relative), it is important to tell the Ministry worker right away. The Ministry should schedule the second stage of your welfare application, called an eligibility interview, within one business day, and give you some help with food, shelter or medical attention before your eligibility interview if you have urgent needs.
#*if you have an urgent need for shelter, food or medical help (like paying for a prescription), and cannot wait between three to five weeks to start receiving welfare benefits, then you need to tell the Ministry worker. Ask for an ''Immediate Needs Assessment''. If you are eligible for an Immediate Needs Assessment, the Ministry should complete your eligibility interview as soon as possible, within five business days. While you are waiting for your eligibility interview, the Ministry should make sure your immediate needs are met (for example, by giving you food vouchers, money or bus tickets if you need medical transportation, etc.).

{{Tipsbox
| width = 90%
| tips = As of May 2017, Ministry offices and the Call Centre were experiencing significant backlogs, causing delays in Immediate Needs Assessments. If you are in serious need and are not getting a prompt response from the Ministry (including the Call Centre), speak with an advocate.}}

== What happens next ==
After finishing the first stage of the welfare application, most people have to spend three or five weeks looking for work, and provide the Ministry with proof of their work search. During those three to five weeks you do not receive any financial help from the Ministry. A five week work search applies if neither you nor your partner have received welfare in BC before. A three week work search applies if you or your partner have previously received welfare in BC. Once your work search is over, you move on to an eligibility interview with the Ministry, which is a detailed interview, in person or by phone, to see if you are eligible for income assistance or hardship benefits.

If you qualify for welfare, the Ministry should get funds to you shortly after your eligibility interview. If you don't qualify for regular welfare, you may still qualify for a [http://www.gov.bc.ca/meia/online_resource/hardship/ hardship benefit]. Some kinds of hardship benefits (but not all) must be repaid to the Ministry.

{{Tipsbox
| width = 90%
| tips = One exception to the requirement to do a three or five week work search before the eligibility interview with the Ministry is if you have an urgent need for shelter, food or medical attention. There are other exceptions, like single parents with a child under three, people 65 or over, or those with a physical or medical condition that precludes them from looking for work.. For a full list of people who do not have to do a three or five week work search, see the [http://www.gov.bc.ca/meia/online_resource/application/bcea_stage1/policy.html BC Employment and Assistance (BCEA) Application Policy].}}

== Where to get help ==
See the [[Resource List for Legal Help for British Columbians|Resource List]] in this Guide for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are:
* The Legal Services Society publications [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''] and [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1964 ''Social Assistance on Reserve in British Columbia''].
* [[BC Employment and Assistance]] website for Ministry policy and further information.
* [[PovNet]], for their "[http://www.povnet.org/find-an-advocate Find An Advocate]" feature for welfare advocates near you.
* [[Access Pro Bono]], [[Lawyer Referral Service]], and [[Private Bar Lawyers|private bar lawyers]].
* The Clicklaw common question "[http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/question/commonquestion/1127 I have to go on welfare. What do I need to know before I apply?]." Clicklaw has many common questions on the topic "Pensions, benefits & welfare."

Before meeting with a lawyer or advocate, complete the form [[Preparing for Your Interview]] included in this Guide. Make sure you bring copies of all documents relating to your case.

{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[Alison Ward]], May 2017}}

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{{Creative Commons for Legal Help Guide}}

I'm Being Investigated by the Welfare Ministry

2017-05-04T01:15:16Z

Alison Ward:

{{Template:Legal Help Guide TOC}}If the Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation ("the Ministry") believes that you have received welfare benefits you shouldn't have, they may ask you to repay them. The same applies for the Administering Authority for welfare on an Indian reserve. This is called an overpayment. If the Ministry believes that you have received the benefit through fraud, or providing false or misleading information, it will investigate and may have you charged with an offence under the ''Criminal Code'' or provincial welfare laws. Fraud means receiving assistance as a result of providing information that you know is false or misleading.

{{Tipsbox
| width = 80%
| tips = Take any accusation of welfare fraud very seriously. Bans on welfare eligibility because of fraud convictions were eliminated on August 1, 2015. But there are still serious consequences of being convicted of welfare fraud. In most cases at least $100 per month will be deducted from your welfare check to pay the Ministry back for money you were convicted of obtaining by fraud or through providing false or misleading information. This deduction will last for at least 12 months. If you were convicted of fraud under the ''Criminal Code'', the deduction will last until all of the funds your conviction related to are repaid. (The exception is that the Ministry can choose to deduct less than $100 per month if you are homeless, at risk of becoming homeless because of the deduction, or if the deduction puts your health or the health of someone else in your family at risk).
}}

== First steps ==

#If you are being investigated by the Ministry, contact an advocate for help. (See the listing for [[PovNet]] in the Resource List of this Guide for contact and website information for welfare advocates in your area.)
#If you are being investigated and think you may be charged with welfare fraud, immediately contact a lawyer for advice. Many criminal lawyers will provide some advice at no charge. Use the internet to search for criminal lawyers in your area or see the Yellow Pages. It is almost always advisable that you don't discuss the accusation with a Ministry investigator before you have spoken with a lawyer.
#If you are charged with welfare fraud under the ''Criminal Code'' or the provincial welfare law, look at the section in this Guide "[[I've been charged with a criminal (or youth) offence and have to go to court]]." Make sure that you apply for legal aid, for a criminal lawyer to represent you.

== What happens next==

The Ministry will continue their investigation and will probably want to speak with you. This can be tricky. You have to provide certain information to the Ministry in order to continue receiving benefits, but it is generally not a good idea to discuss anything with them that could lead to a criminal charge and conviction. Be guided by legal advice, and speak with a welfare advocate about what information you need to provide to the Ministry in order to continue receiving benefits.

== Where to get help==

See the [[Resource List for Legal Help for British Columbians|Resource List]] of this Guide for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are:
*[[Legal Aid Representation|Legal aid representation]], to see if you qualify for legal aid.
*[[Duty Counsel|Criminal duty counsel]], to see if you qualify for assistance if you have to appear in court.
*[[PovNet]], including their [http://www.povnet.org/find-an-advocate Find An Advocate]" feature for welfare advocates near you.
*[[Access Pro Bono]], [[Lawyer Referral Service]], and [[Private Bar Lawyers|private bar lawyers]].

Before meeting with a lawyer or advocate, complete the form [[Preparing for Your Interview]] included in this Guide. Make sure you bring copies of all documents relating to your case.

{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[Alison Ward]], May 2017}}

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{{Creative Commons for Legal Help Guide}}

I'm Being Investigated by the Welfare Ministry

2017-05-04T01:14:26Z

Alison Ward:

{{Template:Legal Help Guide TOC}}If the Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation ("the Ministry") believes that you have received welfare benefits you shouldn't have, they may ask you to repay them. The same applies for the Administering Authority for welfare on an Indian reserve. This is called an overpayment. If they believe that you have received the benefit through fraud, or providing false or misleading information, they will investigate and may have you charged with an offence under the ''Criminal Code'' or provincial welfare laws. Fraud means receiving assistance as a result of providing information that you know is false or misleading.

{{Tipsbox
| width = 80%
| tips = Take any accusation of welfare fraud very seriously. Bans on welfare eligibility because of fraud convictions were eliminated on August 1, 2015. But there are still serious consequences of being convicted of welfare fraud. In most cases at least $100 per month will be deducted from your welfare check to pay the Ministry back for money you were convicted of obtaining by fraud or through providing false or misleading information. This deduction will last for at least 12 months. If you were convicted of fraud under the ''Criminal Code'', the deduction will last until all of the funds your conviction related to are repaid. (The exception is that the Ministry can choose to deduct less than $100 per month if you are homeless, at risk of becoming homeless because of the deduction, or if the deduction puts your health or the health of someone else in your family at risk).
}}

== First steps ==

#If you are being investigated by the Ministry, contact an advocate for help. (See the listing for [[PovNet]] in the Resource List of this Guide for contact and website information for welfare advocates in your area.)
#If you are being investigated and think you may be charged with welfare fraud, immediately contact a lawyer for advice. Many criminal lawyers will provide some advice at no charge. Use the internet to search for criminal lawyers in your area or see the Yellow Pages. It is almost always advisable that you don't discuss the accusation with a Ministry investigator before you have spoken with a lawyer.
#If you are charged with welfare fraud under the ''Criminal Code'' or the provincial welfare law, look at the section in this Guide "[[I've been charged with a criminal (or youth) offence and have to go to court]]." Make sure that you apply for legal aid, for a criminal lawyer to represent you.

== What happens next==

The Ministry will continue their investigation and will probably want to speak with you. This can be tricky. You have to provide certain information to the Ministry in order to continue receiving benefits, but it is generally not a good idea to discuss anything with them that could lead to a criminal charge and conviction. Be guided by legal advice, and speak with a welfare advocate about what information you need to provide to the Ministry in order to continue receiving benefits.

== Where to get help==

See the [[Resource List for Legal Help for British Columbians|Resource List]] of this Guide for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are:
*[[Legal Aid Representation|Legal aid representation]], to see if you qualify for legal aid.
*[[Duty Counsel|Criminal duty counsel]], to see if you qualify for assistance if you have to appear in court.
*[[PovNet]], including their [http://www.povnet.org/find-an-advocate Find An Advocate]" feature for welfare advocates near you.
*[[Access Pro Bono]], [[Lawyer Referral Service]], and [[Private Bar Lawyers|private bar lawyers]].

Before meeting with a lawyer or advocate, complete the form [[Preparing for Your Interview]] included in this Guide. Make sure you bring copies of all documents relating to your case.

{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[Alison Ward]], May 2017}}

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{{Creative Commons for Legal Help Guide}}

I'm Being Investigated by the Welfare Ministry

2017-05-04T01:12:09Z

Alison Ward:

{{Template:Legal Help Guide TOC}}If the Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation ("the Ministry") believes that you have received welfare benefits you shouldn't have, they may ask you to repay them. The same applies for the Administering Authority for welfare on an Indian reserve. This is called an overpayment. If they believe that you have received the benefit through fraud, or providing false or misleading information, they will investigate and may have you charged with an offence under the ''Criminal Code'' or provincial welfare laws. Fraud means receiving assistance as a result of providing information that you know is false or misleading.

{{Tipsbox
| width = 80%
| tips = Take any accusation of welfare fraud very seriously. Bans on welfare eligibility because of fraud convictions were eliminated on August 1, 2015. But there are still serious consequences of being convicted of welfare fraud. In most cases at least $100 per month will be deducted from your welfare check to pay the Ministry back for money you were convicted of obtaining by fraud or through providing false or misleading information. This deduction will last for at least 12 months. If you were convicted of fraud under the ''Criminal Code'', the deduction will last until all of the funds your conviction related to are repaid. (The exception is that the Ministry can choose to deduct less than $100 per month if you are homeless, at risk of becoming homeless because of the deduction, or if the deduction puts your health or the health of someone else in your family at risk).
}}

== First steps ==

#If you are being investigated by the Ministry, contact an advocate for help. (See the listing for [[PovNet]] in the Resource List of this Guide for contact and website information for welfare advocates in your area.)
#If you are being investigated and think you may be charged with welfare fraud, immediately contact a lawyer for advice. Many criminal lawyers will provide some advice at no charge. Use the internet to search for criminal lawyers in your area or see the Yellow Pages. It is almost always advisable that you don't discuss the accusation with a Ministry investigator before you have spoken with a lawyer.
#If you are charged with welfare fraud under the ''Criminal Code'' or the provincial welfare law, look at the section in this Guide "[[I've been charged with a criminal (or youth) offence and have to go to court]]." Make sure that you apply for legal aid, for a criminal lawyer to represent you.

== What happens next==

The Ministry will continue their investigation and will probably want to speak with you. This can be tricky. You have to provide certain information to the Ministry in order to continue receiving benefits, but it is generally not a good idea to discuss anything with them that could lead to a criminal charge and conviction. Be guided by legal advice, and speak with a welfare advocate about what information you need to provide to the Ministry in order to continue receiving benefits.

== Where to get help==

See the [[Resource List for Legal Help for British Columbians|Resource List]] of this Guide for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are:
*[[Legal Aid Representation|Legal aid representation]], to see if you qualify for legal aid.
*[[Duty Counsel|Criminal duty counsel]], to see if you qualify for assistance if you have to appear in court.
*[[PovNet]], including their [http://www.povnet.org/find-an-advocate Find An Advocate]" feature for welfare advocates near you.
*[[Access Pro Bono]], [[Lawyer Referral Service]], and [[Private Bar Lawyers|private bar lawyers]].

Before meeting with a lawyer or advocate, complete the form [[Preparing for Your Interview]] included in this Guide. Make sure you bring copies of all documents relating to your case.

{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[Alison Ward]], January 2016}}

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I Need to Apply for Disability Benefits

2017-05-04T01:09:46Z

Alison Ward: /* Where to get help */

{{Template:Legal Help Guide TOC}}If you have disabilities and you are financially eligible, you may qualify for disability benefits from the Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation ("the Ministry"). There are two main types of disability benefits: disability assistance for people who the Ministry designates as Persons with Disabilities (PWD), and PPMB benefits for applicants who the Ministry designates as Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers to employment (PPMB).

To qualify for the PWD designation:
*you must be at least 18 years old,
*you must have a severe mental or physical impairment that is likely to last at least two years,
*your disability must directly and significantly restrict your ability to do specific daily activities (either continuously or for extended periods of time), and
*you must need significant help from another person to do specific daily activities, or else require help from an assistive device or assistance animal to perform those activities.

If you do not qualify for the PWD designation, you may still qualify for the PPMB designation. To qualify for the PPMB designation:
*you must have a medical condition (other than an addiction) that seriously affects your ability to look for, accept or continue employment, and
*your doctor must confirm that your medical condition has lasted for at least one year, or has occurred frequently in the past year, and is likely to last for at least another two years.

Please note that PPMB benefits are only available to people who have been on welfare for 12 out of the previous 15 months.

{{Tipsbox
| width = 70%
| tips = The criteria for PWD benefits and PPMB benefits are complicated. Try to get help from an advocate in filling out your application. A lot of people tend to minimize their disabilities. It is much better to put in a very thorough application, than to be turned down and have to appeal.
}}

== First steps ==
See the Legal Services Society publication [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare'']for a summary of the process for applying for PWD benefits and PPMB benefits, at pages 44 to 46.
=== PWD benefits ===

#If you are not already receiving income assistance or PPMB benefits, you must first apply for welfare (see page 44 of the Legal Services Society publication [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''])
#Ask a Ministry worker for a Persons with Disabilities Designation Application Form.
#Complete the application carefully. It is more than 20 pages long and has three parts: Part 1 for you to complete, Part 2 for your doctor to complete, and Part 3 for an ''assessor'' to complete. The assessor can be your doctor, or an occupational therapist, physical therapist, social worker, registered psychologist, registered nurse, registered psychiatric nurse, chiropractor or nurse practitioner.
#Mail your application to the address on the application.

=== PPMB benefits ===
#Tell a Ministry worker you want to apply for the PPMB designation. He or she will do an assessment of your non-medical barriers to employment (e.g., lack of education, literacy or work history) and give you a medical report form for your doctor to complete (see page 46 of [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare'']).
#Your doctor must complete the application, including details about why your medical condition stops you from looking for, accepting or continuing to work.
#Get the completed medical report form from your doctor and return it to the Ministry.

== What happens next ==
A decision will be made and you will be advised of the decision. If you are not happy with the decision, you can ask for a reconsideration, and then an appeal. See the section "[[I have been denied or cut off welfare]]," as the process is the same.

== Where to get help ==
See the [[Resource List for Legal Help for British Columbians|Resource List]] in this Guide for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are:
*The Legal Services Society publications [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''] and [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/2956 ''Social Assistance on Reserve in British Columbia''].
*[[Advocacy Access Program]], a service of Disability Alliance BC (formerly known as the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities). Also try their [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/global/search?k=Advocacy+Access+Help+Sheet+series Advocacy Access Help Sheet Series].
*[[PovNet]], for their "[http://www.povnet.org/find-an-advocate Find An Advocate]" feature for welfare advocates near you.
*[[Access Pro Bono]], [[Lawyer Referral Service]], and [[Private Bar Lawyers|private bar lawyers]].
*The Clicklaw common question "[http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/question/commonquestion/1054 I want to find out about getting BC disability benefits]." Clicklaw has many common questions on the topic "Pensions, benefits & welfare."

{{Tipsbox
| width = 80%
| tips = If you have contributed to the Canada Pension Plan through employment and have a disability that prevents you from working at any job on a regular basis, you may qualify for Canada Pension Plan disability benefits. To get more information or apply for CPP disability benefits, call Income Security Programs at 1-800-277-9914 or go to the [https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp.html CPP website].
}}

{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[Alison Ward]], May 2017}}

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I Have Been Denied or Cut off Welfare

2017-05-04T01:07:59Z

Alison Ward: /* Where to get help */

{{Template:Legal Help Guide TOC}}
You have the right to challenge (appeal) most decisions about having a monthly benefit or supplement denied, cut off, or reduced. You can also challenge some decisions about penalties, and if the ministry says you are not eligible for [http://wiki.clicklaw.bc.ca/index.php/I_need_to_apply_for_disability_benefits the PWD designation] or for designation as a Person with Persistent Multiple Barriers to Employment ("PPMB").

You can ask for a reconsideration of the Ministry’s decision. If that does not work, you can usually file an appeal to the Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal, or EAAT.

{{Tipsbox
| width = 70%
| tips = Most people get welfare through the provincial government Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation. People who live on an Indian reserve get welfare through the Indian band or tribal council. The process is roughly the same on and off reserve.

If you live on an Indian reserve, call the band office and ask to speak to the social development worker. This person can help with your application for emergency income assistance or hardship benefits, and tell you what to do if you want to appeal a decision.
}}

== First steps ==

'''Before you get started:'''

:* Be sure to read the "Reconsideration and Appeal" topic at page 47 of [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare'']. It tells you what steps to take and what to expect.

:* Get help from an advocate. (See the listing for PovNet in the Resource List of this Guide for contact and website information for welfare advocates in your area.)

'''To start the process:'''

Follow the steps in the Reconsideration and Appeal topic at page 47 of [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''].

In summary, here is how you begin:

# You ask a Ministry worker why the benefit or supplement was denied, cut off or reduced. Get them to tell you what law or policy they based their decision on.
# You ask a Ministry worker to prepare and provide you with a Request for Reconsideration form.
# Follow the tips and information for reconsideration in [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare'']. Complete the Request for Reconsideration form and return it to the welfare office ''within 20 business days''. When you complete the form, focus on how the Ministry applied the welfare rules incorrectly. Attach copies of any documents or other evidence that supports your side of the story. Also be sure to attach any evidence the Ministry used to make their decision. If you need more time to give the Ministry more documents or argument, see the information about how to ask for more time at page 47 in [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''].

{{Tipsbox
| width = 70%
| tips = It is very important to make your best case when you are requesting a reconsideration. Supply as much information as you can. If you have to appeal a decision after reconsideration, ''you may be limited to the information you used'' in your original Request for Reconsideration. See the listing for [http://wiki.clicklaw.bc.ca/index.php/PovNet PovNet] in the Resource List of this guide to contact a welfare advocate in your area.
}}

'''What happens next'''

You should receive a response to your request for reconsideration within a couple of weeks. If you don’t, contact the Ministry and ask a worker to explain why there is a delay. If you are not satisfied with their explanation, ask to speak to a supervisor.

The reconsideration decision will say whether or not your benefit or supplement has been granted or refused. It should also say which law or policy the Ministry based the reconsideration decision on, and whether you may appeal the decision to the [http://www.eaat.ca/home "Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal"].

If you don’t agree with the reconsideration decision and want to appeal it, you must file a [http://www.eaat.ca/appeal-parties/how-to-appeal Notice of Appeal] with the [http://www.eaat.ca/home "Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal"] within 7 business days of the date you received the reconsideration decision. Get an advocate to help you with your appeal. See the listing for [http://wiki.clicklaw.bc.ca/index.php/PovNet PovNet] in the Resource List of this guide to contact a welfare advocate in your area.

== Where to get help ==
See the [[Resource List for Legal Help for British Columbians|Resource List]] in this guide for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are:

:*The Legal Services Society publications [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''] and [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/2956 ''Social Assistance on Reserve in British Columbia''].
:*[[BC Employment and Assistance]] website. At the website, go to the information on [http://www.mhr.gov.bc.ca/publicat/bcea/appeal.htm Reconsideration and Appeals]
:*[[PovNet]], for their [http://www.povnet.org/find-an-advocate Find An Advocate] feature for welfare advocates near you.
:*[[Access Pro Bono]], [[Lawyer Referral Service]], and [[Private Bar Lawyers|private bar lawyers]].
:*The Clicklaw common questions [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/question/commonquestion/1021 If I don’t get welfare this month I’ll lose my housing] and [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/question/commonquestion/1106 I have an outstanding arrest warrant and I need welfare. What can I do?]. Clicklaw has many common questions on the topic pensions, benefits & welfare.

Before you meet with a lawyer or advocate, complete the form [[Preparing for Your Interview]] included in this guide. Make sure to take copies of all the documents about your case.

{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[Alison Ward]], May 2017}}

{{Template:Legal Help Guide Navbox|type=problems}}

{{Creative Commons for Legal Help Guide}}

I Need to Apply for Disability Benefits

2017-05-04T01:04:20Z

Alison Ward:

{{Template:Legal Help Guide TOC}}If you have disabilities and you are financially eligible, you may qualify for disability benefits from the Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation ("the Ministry"). There are two main types of disability benefits: disability assistance for people who the Ministry designates as Persons with Disabilities (PWD), and PPMB benefits for applicants who the Ministry designates as Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers to employment (PPMB).

To qualify for the PWD designation:
*you must be at least 18 years old,
*you must have a severe mental or physical impairment that is likely to last at least two years,
*your disability must directly and significantly restrict your ability to do specific daily activities (either continuously or for extended periods of time), and
*you must need significant help from another person to do specific daily activities, or else require help from an assistive device or assistance animal to perform those activities.

If you do not qualify for the PWD designation, you may still qualify for the PPMB designation. To qualify for the PPMB designation:
*you must have a medical condition (other than an addiction) that seriously affects your ability to look for, accept or continue employment, and
*your doctor must confirm that your medical condition has lasted for at least one year, or has occurred frequently in the past year, and is likely to last for at least another two years.

Please note that PPMB benefits are only available to people who have been on welfare for 12 out of the previous 15 months.

{{Tipsbox
| width = 70%
| tips = The criteria for PWD benefits and PPMB benefits are complicated. Try to get help from an advocate in filling out your application. A lot of people tend to minimize their disabilities. It is much better to put in a very thorough application, than to be turned down and have to appeal.
}}

== First steps ==
See the Legal Services Society publication [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare'']for a summary of the process for applying for PWD benefits and PPMB benefits, at pages 44 to 46.
=== PWD benefits ===

#If you are not already receiving income assistance or PPMB benefits, you must first apply for welfare (see page 44 of the Legal Services Society publication [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''])
#Ask a Ministry worker for a Persons with Disabilities Designation Application Form.
#Complete the application carefully. It is more than 20 pages long and has three parts: Part 1 for you to complete, Part 2 for your doctor to complete, and Part 3 for an ''assessor'' to complete. The assessor can be your doctor, or an occupational therapist, physical therapist, social worker, registered psychologist, registered nurse, registered psychiatric nurse, chiropractor or nurse practitioner.
#Mail your application to the address on the application.

=== PPMB benefits ===
#Tell a Ministry worker you want to apply for the PPMB designation. He or she will do an assessment of your non-medical barriers to employment (e.g., lack of education, literacy or work history) and give you a medical report form for your doctor to complete (see page 46 of [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare'']).
#Your doctor must complete the application, including details about why your medical condition stops you from looking for, accepting or continuing to work.
#Get the completed medical report form from your doctor and return it to the Ministry.

== What happens next ==
A decision will be made and you will be advised of the decision. If you are not happy with the decision, you can ask for a reconsideration, and then an appeal. See the section "[[I have been denied or cut off welfare]]," as the process is the same.

== Where to get help ==
See the [[Resource List for Legal Help for British Columbians|Resource List]] in this Guide for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are:
*The Legal Services Society publications [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''] and [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/2956 ''Social Assistance on Reserve in British Columbia''].
*[[Advocacy Access Program]], a service of Disability Alliance BC (formerly known as the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities). Also try their [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/global/search?k=Advocacy+Access+Help+Sheet+series Advocacy Access Help Sheet Series].
*[[PovNet]], for their "[http://www.povnet.org/find-an-advocate Find An Advocate]" feature for welfare advocates near you.
*[[Access Pro Bono]], [[Lawyer Referral Service]], and [[Private Bar Lawyers|private bar lawyers]].
*The Clicklaw common question "[http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/question/commonquestion/1054 I want to find out about getting BC disability benefits]." Clicklaw has many common questions on the topic "Pensions, benefits & welfare."

{{Tipsbox
| width = 80%
| tips = If you have contributed to the Canada Pension Plan through employment and have a disability that prevents you from working at any job on a regular basis, you may qualify for Canada Pension Plan disability benefits. To get more information or apply for CPP disability benefits, call Income Security Programs at 1-800-277-9914 or go to the [https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp.html CPP website].
}}

{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[Alison Ward]], January 2016}}

{{Template:Legal Help Guide Navbox|type=problems}}

{{Creative Commons for Legal Help Guide}}

I Need to Apply for Disability Benefits

2017-05-04T01:03:20Z

Alison Ward:

{{Template:Legal Help Guide TOC}}If you have disabilities and you are financially eligible, you may qualify for disability benefits from the Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation ("the Ministry"). There are two main types of disability benefits: disability assistance for people who the Ministry designates as Persons with Disabilities (PWD), and PPMB benefits for applicants who the Ministry designates as Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers to employment (PPMB).

To qualify for PWD benefits:
*you must be at least 18 years old,
*you must have a severe mental or physical impairment that is likely to last at least two years,
*your disability must directly and significantly restrict your ability to do specific daily activities (either continuously or for extended periods of time), and
*you must need significant help from another person to do specific daily activities, or else require help from an assistive device or assistance animal to perform those activities.

If you do not qualify for PWD benefits, you may still qualify for PPMB benefits. To qualify for PPMB benefits:
*you must have a medical condition (other than an addiction) that seriously affects your ability to look for, accept or continue employment, and
*your doctor must confirm that your medical condition has lasted for at least one year, or has occurred frequently in the past year, and is likely to last for at least another two years.

Please note that PPMB benefits are only available to people who have been on welfare for 12 out of the previous 15 months.

{{Tipsbox
| width = 70%
| tips = The criteria for PWD benefits and PPMB benefits are complicated. Try to get help from an advocate in filling out your application. A lot of people tend to minimize their disabilities. It is much better to put in a very thorough application, than to be turned down and have to appeal.
}}

== First steps ==
See the Legal Services Society publication [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare'']for a summary of the process for applying for PWD benefits and PPMB benefits, at pages 44 to 46.
=== PWD benefits ===

#If you are not already receiving income assistance or PPMB benefits, you must first apply for welfare (see page 44 of the Legal Services Society publication [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''])
#Ask a Ministry worker for a Persons with Disabilities Designation Application Form.
#Complete the application carefully. It is more than 20 pages long and has three parts: Part 1 for you to complete, Part 2 for your doctor to complete, and Part 3 for an ''assessor'' to complete. The assessor can be your doctor, or an occupational therapist, physical therapist, social worker, registered psychologist, registered nurse, registered psychiatric nurse, chiropractor or nurse practitioner.
#Mail your application to the address on the application.

=== PPMB benefits ===
#Tell a Ministry worker you want to apply for the PPMB designation. He or she will do an assessment of your non-medical barriers to employment (e.g., lack of education, literacy or work history) and give you a medical report form for your doctor to complete (see page 46 of [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare'']).
#Your doctor must complete the application, including details about why your medical condition stops you from looking for, accepting or continuing to work.
#Get the completed medical report form from your doctor and return it to the Ministry.

== What happens next ==
A decision will be made and you will be advised of the decision. If you are not happy with the decision, you can ask for a reconsideration, and then an appeal. See the section "[[I have been denied or cut off welfare]]," as the process is the same.

== Where to get help ==
See the [[Resource List for Legal Help for British Columbians|Resource List]] in this Guide for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are:
*The Legal Services Society publications [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''] and [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/2956 ''Social Assistance on Reserve in British Columbia''].
*[[Advocacy Access Program]], a service of Disability Alliance BC (formerly known as the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities). Also try their [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/global/search?k=Advocacy+Access+Help+Sheet+series Advocacy Access Help Sheet Series].
*[[PovNet]], for their "[http://www.povnet.org/find-an-advocate Find An Advocate]" feature for welfare advocates near you.
*[[Access Pro Bono]], [[Lawyer Referral Service]], and [[Private Bar Lawyers|private bar lawyers]].
*The Clicklaw common question "[http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/question/commonquestion/1054 I want to find out about getting BC disability benefits]." Clicklaw has many common questions on the topic "Pensions, benefits & welfare."

{{Tipsbox
| width = 80%
| tips = If you have contributed to the Canada Pension Plan through employment and have a disability that prevents you from working at any job on a regular basis, you may qualify for Canada Pension Plan disability benefits. To get more information or apply for CPP disability benefits, call Income Security Programs at 1-800-277-9914 or go to the [https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp.html CPP website].
}}

{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[Alison Ward]], January 2016}}

{{Template:Legal Help Guide Navbox|type=problems}}

{{Creative Commons for Legal Help Guide}}

I Have Been Denied or Cut off Welfare

2017-05-04T01:01:17Z

Alison Ward:

{{Template:Legal Help Guide TOC}}
You have the right to challenge (appeal) most decisions about having a monthly benefit or supplement denied, cut off, or reduced. You can also challenge some decisions about penalties, and if the ministry says you are not eligible for [http://wiki.clicklaw.bc.ca/index.php/I_need_to_apply_for_disability_benefits the PWD designation] or for designation as a Person with Persistent Multiple Barriers to Employment ("PPMB").

You can ask for a reconsideration of the Ministry’s decision. If that does not work, you can usually file an appeal to the Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal, or EAAT.

{{Tipsbox
| width = 70%
| tips = Most people get welfare through the provincial government Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation. People who live on an Indian reserve get welfare through the Indian band or tribal council. The process is roughly the same on and off reserve.

If you live on an Indian reserve, call the band office and ask to speak to the social development worker. This person can help with your application for emergency income assistance or hardship benefits, and tell you what to do if you want to appeal a decision.
}}

== First steps ==

'''Before you get started:'''

:* Be sure to read the "Reconsideration and Appeal" topic at page 47 of [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare'']. It tells you what steps to take and what to expect.

:* Get help from an advocate. (See the listing for PovNet in the Resource List of this Guide for contact and website information for welfare advocates in your area.)

'''To start the process:'''

Follow the steps in the Reconsideration and Appeal topic at page 47 of [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''].

In summary, here is how you begin:

# You ask a Ministry worker why the benefit or supplement was denied, cut off or reduced. Get them to tell you what law or policy they based their decision on.
# You ask a Ministry worker to prepare and provide you with a Request for Reconsideration form.
# Follow the tips and information for reconsideration in [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare'']. Complete the Request for Reconsideration form and return it to the welfare office ''within 20 business days''. When you complete the form, focus on how the Ministry applied the welfare rules incorrectly. Attach copies of any documents or other evidence that supports your side of the story. Also be sure to attach any evidence the Ministry used to make their decision. If you need more time to give the Ministry more documents or argument, see the information about how to ask for more time at page 47 in [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''].

{{Tipsbox
| width = 70%
| tips = It is very important to make your best case when you are requesting a reconsideration. Supply as much information as you can. If you have to appeal a decision after reconsideration, ''you may be limited to the information you used'' in your original Request for Reconsideration. See the listing for [http://wiki.clicklaw.bc.ca/index.php/PovNet PovNet] in the Resource List of this guide to contact a welfare advocate in your area.
}}

'''What happens next'''

You should receive a response to your request for reconsideration within a couple of weeks. If you don’t, contact the Ministry and ask a worker to explain why there is a delay. If you are not satisfied with their explanation, ask to speak to a supervisor.

The reconsideration decision will say whether or not your benefit or supplement has been granted or refused. It should also say which law or policy the Ministry based the reconsideration decision on, and whether you may appeal the decision to the [http://www.eaat.ca/home "Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal"].

If you don’t agree with the reconsideration decision and want to appeal it, you must file a [http://www.eaat.ca/appeal-parties/how-to-appeal Notice of Appeal] with the [http://www.eaat.ca/home "Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal"] within 7 business days of the date you received the reconsideration decision. Get an advocate to help you with your appeal. See the listing for [http://wiki.clicklaw.bc.ca/index.php/PovNet PovNet] in the Resource List of this guide to contact a welfare advocate in your area.

== Where to get help ==
See the [[Resource List for Legal Help for British Columbians|Resource List]] in this guide for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are:

:*The Legal Services Society publications [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''] and [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/2956 ''Social Assistance on Reserve in British Columbia''].
:*[[BC Employment and Assistance]] website. At the website, go to the information on [http://www.mhr.gov.bc.ca/publicat/bcea/appeal.htm Reconsideration and Appeals]
:*[[PovNet]], for their [http://www.povnet.org/find-an-advocate Find An Advocate] feature for welfare advocates near you.
:*[[Access Pro Bono]], [[Lawyer Referral Service]], and [[Private Bar Lawyers|private bar lawyers]].
:*The Clicklaw common questions [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/question/commonquestion/1021 If I don’t get welfare this month I’ll lose my housing] and [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/question/commonquestion/1106 I have an outstanding arrest warrant and I need welfare. What can I do?]. Clicklaw has many common questions on the topic pensions, benefits & welfare.

Before you meet with a lawyer or advocate, complete the form [[Preparing for Your Interview]] included in this guide. Make sure to take copies of all the documents about your case.

{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[Alison Ward]], January 2016}}

{{Template:Legal Help Guide Navbox|type=problems}}

{{Creative Commons for Legal Help Guide}}

I Need to Apply for Disability Benefits

2017-05-04T01:00:02Z

Alison Ward:

{{Template:Legal Help Guide TOC}}If you have disabilities and you are financially eligible, you may qualify for disability benefits from the Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation ("the Ministry"). There are two main types of disability benefits: benefits for Persons with Disabilities (PWD), or benefits for Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers to employment (PPMB).

To qualify for PWD benefits:
*you must be at least 18 years old,
*you must have a severe mental or physical impairment that is likely to last at least two years,
*your disability must directly and significantly restrict your ability to do specific daily activities (either continuously or for extended periods of time), and
*you must need significant help from another person to do specific daily activities, or else require help from an assistive device or assistance animal to perform those activities.

If you do not qualify for PWD benefits, you may still qualify for PPMB benefits. To qualify for PPMB benefits:
*you must have a medical condition (other than an addiction) that seriously affects your ability to look for, accept or continue employment, and
*your doctor must confirm that your medical condition has lasted for at least one year, or has occurred frequently in the past year, and is likely to last for at least another two years.

Please note that PPMB benefits are only available to people who have been on welfare for 12 out of the previous 15 months.

{{Tipsbox
| width = 70%
| tips = The criteria for PWD benefits and PPMB benefits are complicated. Try to get help from an advocate in filling out your application. A lot of people tend to minimize their disabilities. It is much better to put in a very thorough application, than to be turned down and have to appeal.
}}

== First steps ==
See the Legal Services Society publication [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare'']for a summary of the process for applying for PWD benefits and PPMB benefits, at pages 44 to 46.
=== PWD benefits ===

#If you are not already receiving income assistance or PPMB benefits, you must first apply for welfare (see page 44 of the Legal Services Society publication [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''])
#Ask a Ministry worker for a Persons with Disabilities Designation Application Form.
#Complete the application carefully. It is more than 20 pages long and has three parts: Part 1 for you to complete, Part 2 for your doctor to complete, and Part 3 for an ''assessor'' to complete. The assessor can be your doctor, or an occupational therapist, physical therapist, social worker, registered psychologist, registered nurse, registered psychiatric nurse, chiropractor or nurse practitioner.
#Mail your application to the address on the application.

=== PPMB benefits ===
#Tell a Ministry worker you want to apply for the PPMB designation. He or she will do an assessment of your non-medical barriers to employment (e.g., lack of education, literacy or work history) and give you a medical report form for your doctor to complete (see page 46 of [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare'']).
#Your doctor must complete the application, including details about why your medical condition stops you from looking for, accepting or continuing to work.
#Get the completed medical report form from your doctor and return it to the Ministry.

== What happens next ==
A decision will be made and you will be advised of the decision. If you are not happy with the decision, you can ask for a reconsideration, and then an appeal. See the section "[[I have been denied or cut off welfare]]," as the process is the same.

== Where to get help ==
See the [[Resource List for Legal Help for British Columbians|Resource List]] in this Guide for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are:
*The Legal Services Society publications [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''] and [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/2956 ''Social Assistance on Reserve in British Columbia''].
*[[Advocacy Access Program]], a service of Disability Alliance BC (formerly known as the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities). Also try their [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/global/search?k=Advocacy+Access+Help+Sheet+series Advocacy Access Help Sheet Series].
*[[PovNet]], for their "[http://www.povnet.org/find-an-advocate Find An Advocate]" feature for welfare advocates near you.
*[[Access Pro Bono]], [[Lawyer Referral Service]], and [[Private Bar Lawyers|private bar lawyers]].
*The Clicklaw common question "[http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/question/commonquestion/1054 I want to find out about getting BC disability benefits]." Clicklaw has many common questions on the topic "Pensions, benefits & welfare."

{{Tipsbox
| width = 80%
| tips = If you have contributed to the Canada Pension Plan through employment and have a disability that prevents you from working at any job on a regular basis, you may qualify for Canada Pension Plan disability benefits. To get more information or apply for CPP disability benefits, call Income Security Programs at 1-800-277-9914 or go to the [https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp.html CPP website].
}}

{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[Alison Ward]], January 2016}}

{{Template:Legal Help Guide Navbox|type=problems}}

{{Creative Commons for Legal Help Guide}}

I Need to Apply for Disability Benefits

2017-05-04T00:59:20Z

Alison Ward:

{{Template:Legal Help Guide TOC}}If you have disabilities and you are financially eligible, you may qualify for disability benefits from the Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation ("the Ministry"). There are two main types of disability benefits: benefits for Persons with Disabilities (PWD), or benefits for Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers to employment (PPMB).

To qualify for PWD benefits:
*you must be at least 18 years old,
*you must have a severe mental or physical impairment that is likely to last at least two years,
*your disability must directly and significantly restrict your ability to do specific daily activities (either continuously or for extended periods of time), and
*you must need significant help from another person to do specific daily activities, or else require help from an assistive device or assistance animal to perform those activities.

If you do not qualify for PWD benefits, you may still qualify for PPMB benefits. To qualify for PPMB benefits:
*you must have a medical condition (other than an addiction) that seriously affects your ability to look for, accept or continue employment, and
*your doctor must confirm that your medical condition has lasted for at least one year, or has occurred frequently in the past year, and is likely to last for at least another two years.

Please note that PPMB benefits are only available to people who have been on welfare for 12 out of the previous 15 months.

{{Tipsbox
| width = 70%
| tips = The criteria for PWD benefits and PPMB benefits are complicated. Try to get help from an advocate in filling out your application. A lot of people tend to minimize their disabilities. It is much better to put in a very thorough application, than to be turned down and have to appeal.
}}

== First steps ==
See the Legal Services Society publication [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare'']for a summary of the process for applying for PWD benefits and PPMB benefits, at pages 44 to 46.
=== PWD benefits ===

#If you are not already receiving income assistance or PPMB benefits, you must first apply for welfare (see page 44 of the Legal Services Society publication [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''])
#Ask a Ministry worker for a Persons with Disabilities Designation Application Form.
#Complete the application carefully. It is more than 20 pages long and has three parts: Part 1 for you to complete, Part 2 for your doctor to complete, and Part 3 for an ''assessor'' to complete. The assessor can be your doctor, or an occupational therapist, physical therapist, social worker, registered psychologist, registered nurse, registered psychiatric nurse, chiropractor or nurse practitioner.
#Mail your application to the address on the application.

=== PPMB benefits ===
#Tell a Ministry worker you want to apply for the PPMB designation. He or she will do an assessment of your non-medical barriers to employment (e.g., lack of education, literacy or work history) and give you a medical report form for your doctor to complete (see page 46 of [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare'']).
#Your doctor must complete the application, including details about why your medical condition stops you from looking for, accepting or continuing to work.
#Get the completed medical report form from your doctor and take it to your worker.

== What happens next ==
A decision will be made and you will be advised of the decision. If you are not happy with the decision, you can ask for a reconsideration, and then an appeal. See the section "[[I have been denied or cut off welfare]]," as the process is the same.

== Where to get help ==
See the [[Resource List for Legal Help for British Columbians|Resource List]] in this Guide for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are:
*The Legal Services Society publications [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1082 ''How to Apply for Welfare''] and [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/2956 ''Social Assistance on Reserve in British Columbia''].
*[[Advocacy Access Program]], a service of Disability Alliance BC (formerly known as the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities). Also try their [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/global/search?k=Advocacy+Access+Help+Sheet+series Advocacy Access Help Sheet Series].
*[[PovNet]], for their "[http://www.povnet.org/find-an-advocate Find An Advocate]" feature for welfare advocates near you.
*[[Access Pro Bono]], [[Lawyer Referral Service]], and [[Private Bar Lawyers|private bar lawyers]].
*The Clicklaw common question "[http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/question/commonquestion/1054 I want to find out about getting BC disability benefits]." Clicklaw has many common questions on the topic "Pensions, benefits & welfare."

{{Tipsbox
| width = 80%
| tips = If you have contributed to the Canada Pension Plan through employment and have a disability that prevents you from working at any job on a regular basis, you may qualify for Canada Pension Plan disability benefits. To get more information or apply for CPP disability benefits, call Income Security Programs at 1-800-277-9914 or go to the [https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp.html CPP website].
}}

{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[Alison Ward]], January 2016}}

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