Difference between revisions of "Financial Help for People with Disabilities"

Jump to navigation Jump to search
no edit summary
Line 2: Line 2:


{{Dial-A-Law TOC|expanded = employment}}
{{Dial-A-Law TOC|expanded = employment}}
People with disabilities can get financial help and support from several places. This script explains some of the help available, plus how and where to get more information. It does not list every possible type of help, but it’s a good starting point to learn more. Some information appears in more than one place.
People with disabilities can get financial help and support from several places. This script explains some of the help available, plus how and where to get more information. It does not list every possible type of help, but it’s a good starting point. Some information appears in more than one place.
 
Many financial assistance programs require you to report any other money and support you are receiving, such as pension and employment insurance benefits. You should check with each program about its rules on reporting other benefits you receive, and the effect they have.  


==Canadian government help and programs==
==Canadian government help and programs==
Line 56: Line 58:
*various supplements, including health supplements
*various supplements, including health supplements
*medical coverage
*medical coverage
*low-cost annual bus passes
*low-cost annual bus passes*transportation support allowance (as of September 1, 2016)
*career planning services
*career planning services
*job training
*job training
Line 62: Line 64:
The BCEA program also offers other help to people with disabilities (including children, adults, and their families). This includes:
The BCEA program also offers other help to people with disabilities (including children, adults, and their families). This includes:
*procedural help for 17½-year-olds to apply for the person with disabilities designation so they can receive disability assistance when they turn 18.
*procedural help for 17½-year-olds to apply for the person with disabilities designation so they can receive disability assistance when they turn 18.
*increased assets limit of $10,000 (up from $5,000) based on family unit size.
*increased assets limit of $100,000 based on family unit size.
*increased earnings exemption starting at $800 for a single person family unit and increased for family units of more than 1 person.
*Annualized Earnings Exemption ([http://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/british-columbians-our-governments/policies-for-government/bc-employment-assistance-policy-procedure-manual/additional-resources/aee-policy-reg.pdf AEE]) starting at $800 per full calendar month ($9,600 per full calendar year) for a single-person family unit and more for family units of more than 1 person. People on disability assistance can use their earnings exemption on a yearly (instead of monthly) basis, without a monthly maximum.  


You can [http://www.hsd.gov.bc.ca/bcea.htm apply for BCEA online].
You can [http://www.hsd.gov.bc.ca/bcea.htm apply for BCEA online].
Line 80: Line 82:


====[http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/goc/permanent_disability_benefit.shtml Canada Student Loans Program—Permanent Disability Benefit]====
====[http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/goc/permanent_disability_benefit.shtml Canada Student Loans Program—Permanent Disability Benefit]====
Students with a permanent disability who are having trouble repaying their loans due to their disability can apply to the [http://www.canlearn.ca/eng/common/help/contact/loans.shtml National Student Loans Service Centre] to have their loans forgiven (so they don’t have to repay the loan).
Students with a permanent disability who are having trouble repaying their loans due to their disability can apply to the [https://csnpe-nslsc.cibletudes-canlearn.ca/Eng/Default.aspx National Student Loans Service Centre] to have their loans forgiven (so they don’t have to repay the loan).


====[https://studentaidbc.ca/explore/grants-scholarships/canada-student-grant-students-permanent-disabilities Canada student grant for students with permanent disabilities]====
====[https://studentaidbc.ca/explore/grants-scholarships/canada-student-grant-students-permanent-disabilities Canada student grant for students with permanent disabilities]====
Line 103: Line 105:
This program helps full-time students with a permanent disability with the cost of education by replacing about $1,000 in BC student loan funding.
This program helps full-time students with a permanent disability with the cost of education by replacing about $1,000 in BC student loan funding.


====[https://studentaidbc.ca/explore/grants-sholarships/bc-access-grant-deaf-students BC access grant for deaf students]====
====[https://studentaidbc.ca/explore/grants-scholarships/bc-access-grant-deaf-students BC access grant for deaf students]====
This grant helps deaf and hard-of-hearing students with the additional costs while attending specialized post-secondary institutions where curriculum is delivered in American Sign Language.
This grant helps deaf and hard-of-hearing students with the additional costs while attending specialized post-secondary institutions where curriculum is delivered in American Sign Language.


Line 132: Line 134:
*'''[http://www.lss.bc.ca/ Legal Services Society (LSS) BC]''': LSS provides free legal information. The publication called “[http://www.legalaid.bc.ca/publications/pub.php?pub=167 Your Welfare Rights: A Guide to BC Employment and Assistance]” has information on social assistance.
*'''[http://www.lss.bc.ca/ Legal Services Society (LSS) BC]''': LSS provides free legal information. The publication called “[http://www.legalaid.bc.ca/publications/pub.php?pub=167 Your Welfare Rights: A Guide to BC Employment and Assistance]” has information on social assistance.


*'''[[Income Assistance: Reconsiderations and Appeals (Script 288)| Script 288, Income Assistance: Reconsiderations and Appeals]]''': this Dial-A-Law script explains that if you apply for or receive monthly income or disability assistance, you have the right to a reconsideration, and then an appeal, of most decisions that deny, reduce, or end that assistance. The script includes a link to the Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal ([http://www.gov.bc.ca/eaat www.gov.bc.ca/eaat]).
*'''[[Income Assistance: Reconsiderations and Appeals (Script 288)| Script 288, Income Assistance: Reconsiderations and Appeals]]''': this Dial-A-Law script explains that if you apply for or receive monthly income or disability assistance, you have the right to a reconsideration, and then an appeal, of most decisions that deny, reduce, or end that assistance. The script includes a link to the [http://www.gov.bc.ca/eaat/ Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal].




3,009

edits

Navigation menu