I Need to Apply for Disability Benefits: Difference between revisions
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I Need to Apply for Disability Benefits (view source)
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*you must be at least 18 years old, | *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, | *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 | *your <span class="noglossary">disability</span> 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. | *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. | ||
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{{Tipsbox | {{Tipsbox | ||
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| tips = The criteria for PWD 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. | | tips = The criteria for PWD benefits are complicated. Try to get help from an advocate in filling out your <span class="noglossary">application</span>. A lot of people tend to minimize their disabilities. It is much better to put in a very thorough <span class="noglossary">application</span>, than to be turned down and have to appeal. | ||
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=== PWD benefits === | === PWD benefits === | ||
# Ask a ministry worker for an application for PWD benefits. | # Ask a ministry worker for an <span class="noglossary">application</span> for PWD benefits. | ||
# 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 practioner. | # Complete the <span class="noglossary">application</span> 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 practioner. | ||
# Mail your application to the address on the application. | # Mail your <span class="noglossary">application</span> to the address on the <span class="noglossary">application</span>. | ||
=== PPMB benefits === | === PPMB benefits === | ||
# Tell a ministry worker you want to apply for PPMB benefits. 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. | # Tell a ministry worker you want to apply for PPMB benefits. 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. | ||
# Your doctor must complete the application, including details about why your medical condition stops you from looking for, accepting or continuing to work. | # Your doctor must complete the <span class="noglossary">application</span>, 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. | # Get the completed medical report form from your doctor and take it to your worker. | ||
== What happens next == | == 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. See the section "[[I have been denied or cut off welfare]]", as the process is the same. | A <span class="noglossary">decision</span> will be made and you will be advised of the <span class="noglossary">decision</span>. If you are not happy with the <span class="noglossary">decision</span>, you can ask for a reconsideration. See the section "[[I have been denied or cut off welfare]]", as the process is the same. | ||
== Where to get help == | == Where to get help == | ||
See the [[Resource List]] in this Guide for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are: | 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://j.mp/weyH8C Your Welfare Rights: A Guide to BC Employment and Assistance]" and "[http://j.mp/xl1EjK Social Assistance on Reserve in British Columbia]". | * The Legal Services Society publications: "[http://j.mp/weyH8C Your Welfare Rights: A Guide to BC Employment and Assistance]" and "[http://j.mp/xl1EjK Social Assistance on Reserve in British Columbia]". | ||
*[[Advocacy Access]], a service of 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]. | *[[Advocacy Access]], a service of 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://bit.ly/whbAG9 Find an Advocate]" feature for welfare advocates near you. | * [[PovNet]], for their "[http://bit.ly/whbAG9 Find an Advocate]" feature for welfare advocates near you. | ||
* [[Access Pro Bono]], [[Lawyer Referral Service]], and [[Private Bar Lawyers]]. | * [[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". | * 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 | {{Tipsbox | ||
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| 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 [http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/isp/cpp/disaben.shtml CPP website]. | | tips = If you have contributed to the Canada Pension Plan through employment and have a <span class="noglossary">disability</span> 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 <span class="noglossary">disability</span> benefits, call Income Security Programs at 1-800-277-9914 or go to the [http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/isp/cpp/disaben.shtml CPP website]. | ||
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{{ | {{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[Alison Ward]], January 2013}} | ||
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