Individual Advocacy Services

• One-on-one drop-in sessions with our advocates
• Self help [ Advocacy Action Kits ] that offer current, simple, step-by-step information on issues related to welfare, seniors and persons with disabilities.

Accessing financial, health-related and other types of assistance can be overwhelming, but our individual advocates may be able to help you.

If you are unable to work because of poor health, you may be eligible for one of the following income assistance programs:

• Employment Insurance (EI)
• Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
• Long Term Disability insurance (LTD)
• Welfare
• 64+ Income Assistance

We can also provide assistance with the following issues: 

• Monthly Nutritional Supplement Benefit (MNSB)
• Dental
• Access to medical treatment
• Tenants’ rights
• Debt forgiveness
• Planning ahead

Employment Insurance (EI)

If you need to leave work because of illness, we can help you apply for EI sick benefits and appeal an EI denial.

Canada Pension Plan (CPP)

If you have contributed to CPP, you may be eligible for CPP disability income. The income you will receive will depend on the amount of your contributions and the length of time you contributed to CPP. We can help you apply for CPP and appeal a CPP denial.

If you are currently receiving CPP and you are thinking about returning to work, we can inform you about how CPP benefits are managed as you begin your process to return to work.

Long Term Disability Insurance (LTD)

If you have LTD benefits with your employer, we can help you apply for LTD, and communicate with your LTD carrier if problems arise. We can also assist you with LTD reviews. If you have been cut off LTD or denied LTD, we can help begin the appeal process. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide legal advice on LTD matters.

Welfare

If you are not eligible for any other income assistance programs you may be able to receive welfare as a person with disabilities (PWD). We can help you apply for welfare, access welfare healthcare benefits, resolve problems with welfare, negotiate and appeal any welfare denials you receive.

If you have no income but will qualify for welfare, while you wait we can help you obtain income support for emergency needs assistance that includes healthcare and limited living costs. If you are eligible for any of the above income sources other than welfare we can help you get immediate welfare assistance while you wait for your benefits to begin.

64+ Income Assistance

If you are 64 years of age or older, visit our drop-in clinic or call us for further information on what benefits are available to you.

Monthly Nutritional Supplement Benefit (MNSB)

If you are receiving welfare you may be eligible for an additional $225/month to cover the costs of additional nutritional food, bottled water and vitamins and minerals. Before you begin the application contact us for assistance - our advocates are experts and can help you and your doctor avoid some common mistakes in the application process.

Dental

Depending on your income, we can help you access dental coverage or limited free dental services.

Access to medical treatment

We may be able to assist you if you are having problems accessing treatment or need help talking with your or other health care specialists.

Tenants' rights

If you are having a problem with your landlord we can inform you of your rights, help you negotiate with the landlord, and, if needed, provide you support and representation at a Residential Tenancy hearing.

Debt Forgiveness

Debt can be an overwhelming source of stress for HIV-positive individuals. We can provide you with assistance and information on debt forgiveness for credit cards, Revenue Canada, Student Loans, welfare debts, EI debts, and others, as well as, bankruptcy.

Planning ahead

To ensure that your health and financial wishes will be followed if you become too ill to make decisions, you need a Representation Agreement and/or Power of Attorney and a Will. We can provide information about planning ahead and assistance to prepare these documents.