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Difference between revisions of "Welfare Eligibility (21:III)"
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Welfare Eligibility (21:III) (view source)
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{{REVIEWED LSLAP | date= | {{REVIEWED LSLAP | date= July 1st, 2022}} | ||
{{LSLAP Manual TOC|expanded = welfare}} | {{LSLAP Manual TOC|expanded = welfare}} | ||
This section deals with eligibility for income assistance, PPMB assistance, and disability assistance, but not for hardship. Please see [[Hardship_Assistance_and_Welfare_(21:VI) | Section VI: Hardship]] for information on eligibility for hardship assistance. | This section deals with eligibility for income assistance, PPMB assistance, and disability assistance, but not for hardship. Please see [[Hardship_Assistance_and_Welfare_(21:VI) | Section VI: Hardship]] for information on eligibility for hardship assistance. | ||
To be eligible for income assistance, PPMB assistance, or disability assistance, applicants must show that they meet the following: | |||
* Asset limits; | |||
* Income limits; | |||
* Immigration status requirements; and | |||
* Age requirements. | |||
To be eligible, applicants must also: | |||
* Pursue other forms of support; | |||
* Complete a three-week work search (with some exceptions as discussed below); and | |||
* Comply with employment-related obligations and an employment plan (with some exceptions, discussed below). | |||
Those wishing to receive disability assistance or PPMB assistance must first show they qualify for PPMB or PWD status under the relevant sections of the legislation (s 2 of the EAR for PPMB status) (s 2 of the EAPWDA for Persons with Disability (PWD) status). | |||
The above eligibility criteria are described in greater detail below. Certain applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria for income assistance, PPMB assistance, or disability assistance may still be eligible for hardship assistance. See Part 4 of the EAR and Part 4 of EAPWDR for details. | |||
== A. Application Process == | == A. Application Process == | ||
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Applications may be filed online, by telephone, or in person. For more detail, see the Legal Aid BC publication How to Apply for Welfare (at http://www.lss.bc.ca/publications/subject.php?sub=17 ). | Applications may be filed online, by telephone, or in person. For more detail, see the Legal Aid BC publication How to Apply for Welfare (at http://www.lss.bc.ca/publications/subject.php?sub=17 ). | ||
'''NOTE: Applicants who have an urgent need for food, shelter or urgent medical attention should ask the Ministry for an Immediate Needs Assessment when they first apply for welfare | '''NOTE: Applicants who have an urgent need for food, shelter or urgent medical attention should ask the Ministry for an Immediate Needs Assessment when they first apply for welfare. This can greatly expedite their application. Without an immediate needs assessment, it may take over four weeks to receive any financial help from the Ministry. See the Ministry policy on Immediate Needs Assessments at''' https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/policies-for-government/bcea-policy-and-procedure-manual/application-and-intake/immediate-needs?keyword=immediate&keyword=needs&keyword=assessment | ||
'''Applicants who are fleeing an abusive relationship with a spouse or other relative should inform the Ministry of this when they apply for welfare. They will be exempt from the work search requirement and should have their application expedited on a critical basis. See the relevant Ministry policy at''' https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/policies-for-government/bcea-policy-and-procedure-manual/case-administration/persons-fleeing-abuse?keyword=fleeing&keyword=abuse | '''Applicants who are fleeing an abusive relationship with a spouse or other relative should inform the Ministry of this when they apply for welfare. They will be exempt from the work search requirement and should have their application expedited on a critical basis. See the relevant Ministry policy at''' https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/policies-for-government/bcea-policy-and-procedure-manual/case-administration/persons-fleeing-abuse?keyword=fleeing&keyword=abuse | ||
# '''Online Application''' <br /> Online applications can be filled out at myselfserv.gov.bc.ca. Applicants must create a My Self Serve account, which requires an email address, Social Insurance Number (SIN), and information about the applicant’s spouse, including common law partners. <br /> | # '''Online Application''' <br /> Online applications can be filled out at myselfserv.gov.bc.ca. Applicants must create a My Self Serve account, which requires an email address, Social Insurance Number (SIN), and information about the applicant’s spouse, including common law partners. <br /> | ||
#'''Phone Application''' <br /> To make a phone application, applicants may call toll-free at 1-866-0800. After the initial call, a ministry worker will call back within three business days to fill out the application form with the applicant. Five business days after the phone application, the applicant must go to the ministry office or Service BC | #'''Phone Application''' <br /> To make a phone application, applicants may call toll-free at 1-866-866-0800. After the initial call, a ministry worker will call back within three business days to fill out the application form with the applicant. Five business days after the phone application, the applicant must go to the ministry office or Service BC Center to sign the application form. If it is difficult to get to either place, the ministry can fax the documents to another “trusted third party,” such as another government worker, or a doctor, nurse, or a registered social worker, and the applicant can sign the documents with that person. <br /> | ||
#'''In Person Application''' <br />An applicant can go to their local ministry office to | #'''In Person Application''' <br />An applicant can go to their local ministry office to start the application process in person. You can find the locations for these offices at: | ||
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/family-social-supports/income-assistance/access-services#office | |||
If the applicant has access to a phone, a ministry worker will call within three business days to fill out the application form with the applicant. Five business days after the phone application, the applicant will need to go to the ministry office or Service BC Center in person to sign the form. If it is difficult to get to either place, the ministry can fax the documents to another “trusted third party,” such as another government worker, or a doctor, nurse, or a registered social worker, and the applicant can sign the documents with that person. <br /> If the applicant does not have access to a phone the applicant may make an appointment to meet with a ministry worker in person. At the appointment the ministry worker will fill out the application form with the applicant. | |||
== B. Obligation to Provide Information to the Ministry== | == B. Obligation to Provide Information to the Ministry== | ||
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Note that a “trusted third party” must witness many Ministry forms. This can be a welfare worker (EAW) or other Ministry staff. If an applicant cannot get to a Ministry office in person, the Ministry may accept a signature from another government worker or a prescribed professional (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, social worker, psychologist, chiropractor, or physical/occupational therapist). | Note that a “trusted third party” must witness many Ministry forms. This can be a welfare worker (EAW) or other Ministry staff. If an applicant cannot get to a Ministry office in person, the Ministry may accept a signature from another government worker or a prescribed professional (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, social worker, psychologist, chiropractor, or physical/occupational therapist). | ||
== C. Asset Limits == | == C. Asset Limits == | ||
