Government Benefits
CLAS helps people access social benefits and other basic income supports. We may be able to help you if you have experienced any of the following situations:
- You have applied for regular or disability benefits, a supplement, or other income supports from the Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation and you have lost your appeal to the Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal (EAAT)
- You have applied for Canada Pension Plan-Disability (CPP-D) or Old Age Security (OAS) and have lost your appeal to the Social Security Tribunal (SST)
What to do
You can call CLAS at 604-685-3425 or toll-free at 1-888-685-6222 to find out if we can assist you. Or, if you would prefer, you can fill out our online form.
Please have the following documents ready, if applicable:
- The decision made by the EAAT or the SST about your benefits
- If your case was before the EAAT, the bound appeal record in your case
- Copies of any medical documentation or other evidence you submitted in support of your appeal
- Any other documents you have that relate to your case
Families file lawsuit challenging the claw back of child support
Vancouver [October 15, 2014] – On October 14, 2014, three families and the Single Mothers’ Alliance of BC filed a legal action in the BC Supreme Court to challenge the claw back of child support payments from families on income and disability assistance in BC. The case alleges that deducting child support from families on assistance violates their right to equality under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Read moreRosemary’s story: What does disability mean to you?
Disability means different things to different people depending on their outlook and their experiences, but in the legal system, and particularly with respect to the legal eligibility thresholds to qualify for public benefits, “disability” often has a lengthy, detailed and meticulous definition.
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