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Income Assistance

The Income Assistance Legal Advocacy Project provides legal services in respect to income security, and in particular, issues that fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Social Development & Poverty Reduction as well as federal disability benefits issued through Employment and Social Development Canada.

 

Our services include:

  • Providing information and advice about rights and responsibilities while receiving provincial income or disability assistance and federal disability benefits.

  • Providing support through information requests, investigations, and other disclosures related to income assistance, Persons with Disabilities benefits and Canada Pension Plan Disability benefits.

  • Help appealing decisions through the request for reconsideration processes at the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction and Employment and Social Development Canada.

  • Representation at Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal and Social Security Tribunal hearings.

  • Information and referrals to community resources.

  • Facilitating education sessions on topics relating to income and disability assistance.

  • Advocating for legal and social change in respect to income security.

 

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The IA Project also works with stakeholders to advance the interests of people living in poverty on a systemic level. Recent and current activities include:

  • Serving on the provincial Poverty Reduction Strategy Forum to advise on the BC poverty reduction plan and legislation.

  • Working with legal advocates across the province to address issues related to income security.

  • Advocating for policy change with the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction to address access to justice issues.

  • Collaborate with community partners through the Community Action Plan on Discrimination to address individual and systemic discrimination in Victoria.

 

 

Community Resources:

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  • Ministry of Social Development & Poverty Reduction – Victoria Office

    • Basic income and disability support, including online and over the phone application support

    • 908 Pandora Ave

    • Phone: 1-866-866-0800

    • Fax: 1 855 771-8771

 

 

  • Disability Resource Centre

    • Assistance with CPP-Disability and Persons with Disability applications, knowledge of other services and supports for people with disabilities.

    • Address: 817A Fort St

    • Phone: (250) 595-0044

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  • Law Centre

    • Advice, assistance, and legal representation for people with legal issues who cannot afford a lawyer.

    • Address: 225-850 Burdett Avenue

    • Phone: 250-385-1221

    • Website: www.thelawcentre.ca

 

  • Vancouver Island Human Rights Coalition

    • Service for people experiencing discrimination. Assistance with filing human rights complaints under the BC Human Rights Code.

    • Address: 418-620 View Street

    • Phone: 250-382-3012

    • Website: www.vihrc.org

 

 

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