Kettle Friendship Society Advocacy Services has allowed us to put their checklist online. The Disability II Checklist covers health, MSDES, transportation, leisure and housing benefits that someone receiving full Disability Benefits from the Ministry of Social Development and Economic Security may be entitled to.

DISABILITY BENEFITS II CHECKLIST

Checklist courtesy of:
Kettle Friendship Society Advocacy Service
Vancouver, B.C., 2000
advocacy@intergate.bc.ca

If you receive full Disability Benefits from the Ministry of Social Development and Economic Security (MSDES) the following programs may be available to you.

MINISTRY OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC SECURITY BENEFITS:

HEALTH CARE BENEFITS

Call 1-800-665-4347 Health Information Line. Most Health Benefits have to be applied for. MSDES may deny request for health benefits. You have the right to appeal. Often request must be substantiated by doctor. Some items and services must come from an approved supplier.

• Health Care Services - Medical Services Plan Coverage.
• Prescription Drugs - most medication is covered; you can enquire about a medication’s coverage from Pharmacare 604-682-6849.
• Dental Care - $500.00/year; pre- authorized services (including dentures) for special work; there is a six month waiting period from date of eligibility for this extended benefit.
• Certain Medical Supplies - Medical Appliances; eg. Braces, prostheses, orthopaedic shoes, splints, elastic stockings, support devices including stresses and surgical corsets and ileostomy and colostomy supplies.
• Mobility Aids
• Hearing Aids
• Glasses - lens replacements available every four years

MSDES BENEFITS

Benefits received by contacting Financial Assistance Worker (FAW) at your local MSDES office; ask for assistance from an advocate if you have difficulties with your request.

• Diet Allowance - Up to $40.00/month for person’s with special dietary needs; doctor’s or dietitian’s note required.
• Community Volunteer Program (CVP) - May receive $100.00/month for volunteer work. Waiting list is long. Must have a community placement and get on list by contacting one’s FAW.
• Training Initiatives Benefit Program (TIB) - Receives $50.00/month; received for 6 months - can be extended for another 6 months within a 36 month period.
• Monthly Incentives Benefit (MIB) - Receives $50.00/month for 20hrs a month of work, or $100.00/month for 40hrs a month if one has a dependant.
• Earning Exemptions - Earnings exempt up to $200.00/month; after this amount 25% of earnings are kept
• Trust Exemptions - Large sums of money (ie. Inheritances, CICB , and ICBC settlements) can be set up in a special trust, which allows assets and income to be exempted. It is absolutely necessary for a lawyer to arrange the Discretionary Trust.
• Crises Benefits - When unexpected items of need arise, such that can be defined as "life threatening" (ie. no food).

OTHER LOW COST OR SUBSIDIZED SERVICES:

TRANSPORTATION

• Annual Bus Pass - Cost is $45.00/year (with additional replacement costs if lost.) To receive must call 604-682-0391 and get a individualized application.
• HandiDART - Specially equipped transit for people who cannot use regular transit. Advance booking is required. Info.604-591-3346 - Booking 604-591-8234.
• Handipass and Taxisavers call HandiDART Info. 604-591-3346.
• B.C. Disability Ferry Card - For person’s who require an escort to travel they may be eligible for 50% fare reduction. Contact BC Ferry at 1-888-223-3779; must have a doctor’s letter.
• Disability Parking Permit Program - Wheelchair Accessible Parking Decals at SPARC at 604-736 4367.
• I.C.B.C. Driver Discount - call 1-800-663-1466

LEISURE:

• Community Centre Recreation Passes and Discounts - short application form is available at all facilities; reduced rates for people on social assistance.
• B.C. Parks Access Card - Provincial Parks Campgrounds - free camp-site access during camping season; phone 604-924- 2200 for an application.
• Fishing Licence Discounts - an annual fishing permit licence is available to a disabled person a small fee. Contact the Ministry of Environment at 604-582-5200 for information and applications.

HOUSING:

Mental Health Housing (Lower Mainland) - a person with a mental health disability can contact each agency directly, and ask to be put on a waiting lists:

• Canadian Mental Health Association - Richmond
  604-279-7110
• Coast Foundation Housing - Vancouver
  604-872-3502
• Kettle Friendship Society - Vancouver
  604-251-0999
• Lookout Emergency Aid Society - Vancouver
  604-681-9873
• Mental Patients Association - Vancouver
  604-738-2811

• St. James Social Services - Vancouver
  604-606-0300
• Triage Emergency Services and Care Society - Vancouver
  604-255-1190

GENERAL SOCIAL HOUSING INFORMATION:

• B.C. Housing Commission- 1701- 4330 Kingsway, Burnaby.
  Call 604-433-2218
• Greater Vancouver Housing Corporation- 14th Floor 4720 Kingsway, Burnaby.
  Call 604-432-6300
• Co-operative Housing Federation of B.C.
  Phone 604-879-5111 to receive an updated list of co-ops which are accepting applications; once you have a list you must contact each co-op project separately. Only some of the housing units will be affordable for people on social assistance.

TAX REFUNDS AND CREDITS:

Each one of these program’s has their own criteria for eligibility, you must contact each program separately and find out their criteria.

• Federal Disability Tax Credit- This is only useful for people with taxable income, if you are solely on B.C. Disability Benefits you need not apply. If this does apply to you contact Revenue Canada for a T-2201 and have your doctor fill it out.
• Additional Home Owner Grant- This is for home owners and co-op members; you must apply to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs or nearest City Hall, property tax department.
• Annual Property Deferment for Homeowners- Call Enquiry B.C. at 604-660-2421 and ask for the Annual Property Tax Deferment ( calling through Enquiry B.C. is free; or call 250-387-0599).
• Provincial Motor Fuel Tax Rebate- Call the Provincial Government Consumer Taxation Branch (Blue Pages of the Telephone Directory).
• Federal Gasoline Tax Refund- This is for personal automobile use only; phone Consumer Taxation 604-660-4500.