3,220
edits
Difference between revisions of "I'm Being Investigated by the Welfare Ministry"
From Clicklaw Wikibooks
I'm Being Investigated by the Welfare Ministry (view source)
Revision as of 01:54, 17 November 2011
, 01:54, 17 November 2011no edit summary
| Line 8: | Line 8: | ||
{{Tipsbox | {{Tipsbox | ||
| width = | | width = 80% | ||
| tips = Take any accusation of welfare fraud very seriously. | | tips = Take any accusation of welfare fraud very seriously. There are serious consequences of being convicted of welfare fraud: either a ban from receiving welfare for one or two years, or even a ban '''for life'''. (The exception is that if you have dependent children or a spouse, your family's benefits will be reduced instead of cut off.)}} | ||
== What happens next?== | == What happens next?== | ||
| Line 17: | Line 16: | ||
{{Tipsbox | {{Tipsbox | ||
| width = | | width = 80% | ||
| tips = Many criminal lawyers are not aware that welfare benefits are affected if you are convicted of fraud in relation to welfare benefits. Make sure you or your welfare advocate tell your lawyer this information. Give your lawyer a copy of the lawyer's fact sheet described below in the "Where to get help" section.}} | | tips = Many criminal lawyers are not aware that welfare benefits are affected if you are convicted of fraud in relation to welfare benefits. Make sure you or your welfare advocate tell your lawyer this information. Give your lawyer a copy of the lawyer's fact sheet described below in the "Where to get help" section.}} | ||
== Where to get help== | == Where to get help== | ||
See the [[Resource Guide]] for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are: | See the [[Resource Guide]] for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are: | ||
* [[Legal Aid Representation]], to see if you qualify for legal aid. | |||
* [[Duty Counsel]], for assistance on the day if you have to appear in court. | |||
*[[PovNet]], for contact and website information for welfare advocates near you. | |||
*[[Access Pro Bono]], [[Lawyer Referral Service]], [[Salvation Army Pro Bono Lawyer Consultation Program]], and [[Private Bar Lawyers]]. | |||
* [[Legal Services Society]] publishes a fact sheet for people charged with offences, "[http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1962 What You Need to Know About Fraud Charges and Social Assistance]", and a fact sheet for criminal lawyers helping clients with welfare fraud charges, "[http://www.lss.bc.ca/assets/lawyers/practiceResources/criminaChargesSocialAssistance_Lawyer.pdf Criminal Charges and Social Assistance]". | |||
{{Template:Legal Help Guide Navbox|type=problems}} | {{Template:Legal Help Guide Navbox|type=problems}} | ||
