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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{{Template:Legal Help Guide TOC}}If you have disabilities and you are financially eligible, you may qualify for | {{Template:Legal Help Guide TOC}}If you have disabilities and you are financially eligible, you may qualify for <span class="noglossary">disability</span> benefits. There are two types of <span class="noglossary">disability</span> benefits: benefits for Persons with Disabilities (PWD), or benefits for Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers to employment (PPMB). | ||
To qualify for PWD benefits: | To qualify for PWD benefits: | ||
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=== PWD benefits === | === PWD benefits === | ||
# Ask a ministry worker for an <span class="noglossary">application</span> for PWD benefits. | #Ask a ministry worker for an <span class="noglossary">application</span> for PWD benefits. | ||
# 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 | #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 <span class="noglossary">application</span> to the address on the <span class="noglossary">application</span>. | #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 <span class="noglossary">application</span>, 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 <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]]" | 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 for Legal Help for British Columbians|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|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]" | *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." | ||
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