Dear Community Partner,

People receiving the Persons with Disabilities benefit (PWD) through direct deposit have until now received their cheque stubs or monthly reports in the mail. The cheque stub indicates the amount that PWD recipients are entitled to receive and provides a section that must be completed if the individual has income to report or if there is a change in their circumstances, for example, if they have married.

Starting December 2014, the Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation (MSDSI) will no longer be mailing cheque stubs to clients unless a client specifically tells the Ministry that they want to continue receiving their stubs in the mail.

People who wish to continue receiving their cheque stubs in the mail must notify the Ministry by phoning 1-866-866-0800.

Clients who don’t tell the Ministry they want to receive their cheque stubs in the mail must access their cheque information, report income and any other changes online. To do this, clients must register with My Self Serve at myselfserve.gov.bc.ca.

The Ministry’s My Self Serve Registration Instructions:

Step 1: If the client doesn’t have one they need to get a basic BCeID. This can be accessed through myselfserve.gov.bc.ca.

Step 2: The client uses their basic BCeID to log in to the portal and complete their profile.

Step 3: The client needs to visit their local income assistance office to complete their registration. They must bring their identification to do this.

If you have any questions contact MSDSI at 1-866-866-0800 or feel free to call Robin Loxton or Annette Murray at 604-872-1278 or toll free at 1-800-663-1278 at our office.

Disability Alliance BC has received the following posting from Kimberly Bartfai, a Master of Social Work student at UBC:

Are you the mother of an adult child who has a significant developmental disability?
What is your perception of the quality of services your loved one is receiving?

I am a Master of Social Work student at the UBC’s School of Social Work. As part of my research class, I will be studying how mothers who have an adult child with a severe developmental disability perceive the quality of services their child is receiving. These services can be financial, recreational, educational or housing-related.

You are eligible to participate in the study if:
• Your child is over 19 years of age
• Your child has a severe developmental disability
• Your child is engaged in a day program, group home or home share situation
• You are in touch with service providers on a regular basis
• You speak fluent English
• Are willing to participate in one interview of maximum 2 hours, and a possible follow-up interview (1 hour maximum).

You will be offered $20 for participating in the study. Any identifying information you share with me will be kept confidential. This study is being supervised by Vaughan Marshall, instructor at UBC’s School of Social Work (email: Vaughan.marshall@ubc.ca).

If you would like to participate please do not hesitate to contact Kimberly Bartfai by phone at 604-308-6043 or email k.bartfai@alumni.ubc.ca

Comox Valley Community Services has been working with the homeless and low income throughout the Valley helping them to: 1) open their own bank accounts 2) stop smoking 3) sleep better 4) unlock addiction and depression. Thanks to President‘s Choice Bank In Superstore, residents no longer require picture ID to open accounts nor require holds on their cheques.

COMOX VALLEY RESIDENTS
______________________________________________

Superstore “No Fee” Banking

– No Picture ID Required To Open Account
– No Hold On Welfare And Disability Cheques
– No Hold On Direct Deposits
– No Fees…Free Cheques
– Points For Free Groceries When You Use Your Card

***Ask For “Cameron” At Presidents Choice Financial In Superstore…He’s Expecting You!

For More Information Call Comox Valley Community Services At 250-218-9420 Or Email Them At canichangeit@gmail.com