PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (PWD) INFO/BENEFITS

work in progress...

website for Ministry of Housing and Social Development
http://www.gov.bc.ca
1) CLICK ON "MINISTRIES AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS , THEN
2) CLICK ON "MINISTRY OF HOUSIONG/SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT"

YOU CAN GET ALL OF THE MINISTRY'S POLICIES AND PROCEDURES (INFORMATION ON SOCIAL ASSISTANCE) AS A BOOKLET AT ANY GOVERNMENT MLA'S OFFICE. THE CLOSEST IN VICTORIA IS MLA CAROLE JAMES OFFICE ON FORT STREET BETWEEN VANCOUVER AND COOK STREET ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE GOING UP FORT STREET.

REPLACING ID/DOCUMENTS
THIS IS ALSO WHERE YOU CAN GET HELP HAVING STOLEN ID CARDS OR DOCUMENTS REPLACED, AS WELL THE OFFICE SCANS COPIES OF THE ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS AND KEEPS THEM ON FILE FOR YOU TO MAKE THE PROCESS EASIER.

***VERY IMPORTANT***
YOU CAN DROP ANY CHEQUE STUB OFF AT THE PANDORA/QUADRA STREET SOCIAL ASSISTANCE OFFICE (EVEN PERSONS WITH PERSISTENT MULTIPLE BARRIERS (PPMB) OR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (PWD)CHEQUE STUBS)-YOU DONT HAVE TO GO ALL THE WAY OUT TO THE GATEWAY DISABILITY OFFICE ON VERNON AND BLANCHARD ST.

BREAKDOWN OF EARNINGS

SOCIAL ASSISTANCE ("WELFARE") - TEMPORARY AID TO HELP MEET FINANCIAL NEEDS WHEN UNEXPECTED HARDSHIP OCCURES

PERSONS WITH PERSISTENT MULTIPLE BARRIERS (PPMB) - SHORTER TERM DISABILITIES A PERSON CAN MORE FULLY RECOVER FROM

PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (PWD) (MORE PERMANENT, LONG TERM DISABILITIES)
$375 SHELTER + 531.42 = $906.42

Income Assistance and Disability Assistance Cheque Issue Date 2009 Schedule

For the month of Cheque issue day YEAR 2009
February 2009 January 21, 2009
March 2009 February 18, 2009
April 2009 March 25, 2009
May 2009 April 22, 2009
June 2009 May 27, 2009
July 2009 June 24, 2009
August 2009 July 29, 2009
September 2009 August 26, 2009
October 2009 September 23, 2009
November 2009 October 21, 2009
December 2009 November 18, 2009
January 2010 December 16, 2009

Checklist for the Persons With Disabilities (PWD) Benefit:

PWD OFFICE

Front Desk: 250 952-5485

FAX: 250 414-4872

FRAUD reporting: 250 387-4234 (don't let scammers ruin it for the rest of us!).

Location: GATEWAY Village. Vernon/Blanchard st. near Save On Foods Plaza.

Tip: To avoid paying long distance charges when you phone a government office in Victoria,phone Service BC at 604-660-2421 or 1-800-663-7867 and ask to be connected.

These are some of the programs and benefits you may be eligible for if you receive the Persons With Disabilities (PWD) benefit from the Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance(MEIA).

HEALTH Assistance Benefits
• Most Health Assistance Benefits must be applied for.
• If the Ministry denies your request you have the right to appeal.
• Ask to speak to an Employment and Assistance Worker (EAW) at your local MEIA office.

DENTAL
* Coverage of up to $1,000 over a 2-year period.
This $1,000 limit can only be exceeded in exceptional circumstances such as in the emergency relief of pain. Dentists must get approval from the MEIA before they do any dental work.

* Denture services

* You DO NOT NEED to go to the Swift Street Clinic, you can see ANOTHER or your Regular dentist they can do the work too so you DONT NEED TO WAIT! Please ASK the dentist.

There is a Dental Clinic on Pandora St between Vancouver and Quadra St just up from "Our Place" - on same side of street - the staff is very helpful and compassionate and have helped people in poverty out.

NUTRITION
* Diet allowance of $10 - $50 per month for specific diagnoses only. This is a renewable benefit. Contact an EAW 1 month before it expires.

* Monthly nutritional supplement benefit (MNS) of up to $225 per month for people with
nutritional needs because of a chronic health condition. You may not be eligible for both the diet allowance and the nutritional supplement. To obtain an MNS application, contact
an EAW. Also you can see the Nutritionist at the Swift st. Clinic on Swift/Store street (attached to StreetLink) and can be helped to get on this allowance if you qualify.

* Disposable medical or surgical supplies (bandages, post surgery care supplies, personal self-care items etc).
UPDATED MARCH 2008

MEDICAL
❑ Extra chiropractic, massage therapy, physiotherapy and podiatry visits.
❑ The MEIA pays up to $44.83 for an optometrist’s exam and $48.90 for an
ophthamologist’s exam, every 2 years. To obtain an eye exam, you will need to provide
your optometrist or ophthalmologist with your Care Card. The Medical Services Plan
(MSP) may pay the full cost for an exam if you have a particular medical condition. As
well, you may be able to get an exam more often than every 2 years. Check with your
optometrist or ophthamologist to see if you qualify.
❑ Glasses - lenses and frames every 3 years
❑ Health Care Services (MSP Coverage)
❑ Medical equipment and devices, including mobility aids
For example, hearing aids, wheelchairs, canes, orthotics, walkers, crutches, custommade
foot wear.
❑ Medical transportation
Funding for transportation to medical appointments.This must be approved in advance by
an EAW.
❑ Transportation allowance to and from residential alcohol and drug treatment facilities.
❑ Prescription drugs
Housing
❑ Accessible/Affordable Housing
Phone the BC Housing Management Commission (BC Housing) at 1-800-257-7756.
Website: www.bchousing.org.
❑ Additional Home Owner Grant for People with Disabilities
For home owners with disabilities. Contact your municipal property tax department.
❑ Annual Property Tax Deferment
Phone 250-387-0555. Website: www.sbr.gov.bc.ca/rpt; email: ruraltax@gov.bc.ca.
❑ Moving costs and security deposits
See an EAW for information.
Help Sheet 3 • Checklist for the Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Benefit
page 3 • BC Coalition of People with Disabilities
Employment Income
❑ Earnings exemption
You may earn up to $500 income per month without affecting your benefits. If your partner
(married or common law) is also on PWD, the earnings exemption for both of you is $750.
You must report all income to MEIA, but if your monthly income stays the same you do
not have to report it after the first month. If your income changes (up or down), you must
report it to MEIA on your cheque stub by the 5th day of the following month.
Volunteer Programs
❑ Community Volunteer Program (CVP)
You may receive up to $100 income per month for volunteer work. Please note that there
is a long waiting list for this program. See an EAW for information.
❑ Training Initiative Supplement (TIS)
You may receive $50 per month for volunteer work. Please note that there is a long waiting
list for this program. The TIS is limited to 12 out of 36 months. You cannot receive
both the TIS and CVP. Contact an EAW for information.
Transportation
For some of these programs you must have limited mobility
❑ Annual Bus Pass ($45 per year)
Phone the Bus Pass Program at 1-866-866-0800 and ask them to mail you an application.
❑ Special Transportation Subsidy
For people unable to use public transit, including handyDART. See an EAW for information.
❑ Autoplan Disability Discount (ICBC)
Phone 604-661-2100 or 1-800-663-3051 if you are outside the Lower Mainland. You can
also contact your local ICBC agent. You must be in receipt of the Provincial Motor Vehicle
Fuel Tax Rebate. Website: www.icbc.com.
❑ BC Ferry pass
Apply directly to the BC Ferry Corporation. You will need a Release of Information form
from an EAW. Phone 250-381-1401 for an application form or go to the website at
www.bcferries.bc.ca.
❑ Federal Excise Gasoline Tax Refund
Phone the Canada Revenue Agency at 1-877-432-5472. The phone lines are open from
12 p.m. to 9 p.m. (BC time). Website: www.servicecanada.gc.bc/en/goc/
gasoline_tax_refund.shtml.
Help Sheet 3 • Checklist for the Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Benefit
page 4 • BC Coalition of People with Disabilities
❑ Flight Discount
Your attendant may accompany you free of charge; ask the airline for details.
❑ Provincial Motor Vehicle Fuel Tax Rebate
Phone the BC \Consumer Taxation Branch at 1-877 388-4440.Website:
www.sbr.gov.bc.ca/ctb.
❑ Parking Permits for People with Disabilities
To apply for a permit phone:
Beacon Community Services (Sydney) 250-656-5537
City of Kelowna 250-763-6011
Cowichan Valley Independent Living Resource Centre 250-746-3930
Kamloops People in Motion 250-376-7878
Nanaimo Independent Living Centre 250-758-5547
Richmond Disability Resource Centre 604-232-2404
Vernon Independent Living Resource Centre 1-877-288-1088
Victoria Disability Resource Centre 250-595-0044
Wescom Medi-Lend (Langford) 250-478-5373
For all other areas phone: Social Planning and Research Council of BC 604-718-7744
❑ HandyDART
Look for the HandyDART listing in your phone book.
❑ HandyPass and Taxi Saver
In the Lower Mainland, contact your local Translink office or go to www.translink.bc.ca.
People in other areas should contact their local transit office.
❑ Greyhound (and bus lines other than transit) and Via Rail
Attendants travel free with a Disability Travel Card from the Lions Society of BC.
Phone 604-873-1865, or 1-800-818-4483 if you are outside the Lower Mainland.
Blind or sight impaired individuals can present their CNIB Card.
Obtain the application form from an EAW.
Leisure
❑ Camping is free in BC Provincial Parks
Obtain a Release of Information form from an EAW to give to campsite operators.
Full or partial funding is available for camping at certain recognized camps.
❑ Fishing License fee reduction
Look under Service BC Government Agents in the blue pages of your local phone book.
They will be able to provide you with the information you need and an application form.
Help Sheet 3 • Checklist for the Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Benefit
page 5 • BC Coalition of People with Disabilities
❑ Access to Recreation/Community Centres and Programs
Most municipalities provide some assistance for people with disabilities who want to access
their recreational programs. Call your local recreation/community centre for information.
Additional Supplements
Ask an EAW about these and other supplements
❑ Christmas Supplements
$35 for a single person, $70 for couples.
❑ Crisis Supplements
Up to $100 per year for clothing, $20 per month for food, and emergency rent assistance.
Funding may also be provided for a one-time emergency need.
❑ Natal Allowance of $45 per month
You will need to provide a doctor’s letter.
❑ Guide Animal Supplement of $95 per month
Helpful Tip
For information on equipment and assistive devices to assist you with daily living activities, call
1-888-818-1211 (TTY: 1-800-661-8773).

page 6 • BC Coalition of People with Disabilities
Prepared by Advocacy Access, a program of BC Coalition of People with Disabilities
204-456 W. Broadway, Vancouver, BC V5Y 1R3 • tel: 604.872.1278 • fax 604.875.9227

tty 604.875.8835 • toll free 1.800.663.1278 • advocacy@bccpd.bc.ca • www.bccpd.bc.ca
.
THE INFORMATION IN THIS HELP SHEET IS BASED ON THE LEGISLATION THAT WAS CURRENT AT THE TIME OF WRITING. THE LEGISLATION AND POLICY MAY
BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

Talk to an income assistance worker about how to get these benefits:
1) FERRY PASS - 0ne person can travel free as an escort (so half price essentially)

2) BC PARKS PASS - Free camping for you and other people in your group

3) FISHING LICENSE - reduced cost or free I forget

4)

PLEASE BE AWARE:

WORK AND TAXES/DISABILITY TAX CREDIT:

Persons on PWD are NOT ALLOWED to collect...
1) WCB money
2) EI OR MEDICAL EI money
3) The FEDERAL DISABILITY TAX CREDIT - Depending on how much you are reimbursed when you do your taxes, it wiped out your cheque for the month. If you get $500 reimbursed from the tax year, you get $500 taken off your cheque - it is counted as "earned income".
Call this fair?? This is a person's EARNED income, and the Provincial government just gets to take it away! Be aware.

There MAY be a way to get around this. You can request that the amount of the money you are going to get taken off your PWD cheque be repaid at the rate of $20 a month. Talk to a worker, or if you don't get anywhere, a supervisor and/or appeal the Ministry of Housing and Social Assistance's decision in order to do this.

DISABILITY TAX CREDIT
A person who is LIVING WITH a disability (does NOT NEED to be designated as a "Person With Disability" and receiving the allowance) may qualify for a Larger Tax refund because with the Disability Tax Status you can earn a larger amount of money in a year therefore pay less taxes. Phone the Federal Government Tax Office and ask for a "T5" form to be mailed or go pick one up (On Vancouver and Johnson st.). Then take this form and go see your doctor to discuss/fill out the form.

ADVOCACY ACCESS IS A PROGRAM OF BC COALITION OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
Legal Services Society of BC,
Human Resources Development Canada:
Homelessness Partnering Strategy
Health Sciences Association of British Columbia.

Ask about other Help Sheets in this series. All our publications are available at www.bccpd.bc.ca.