BC Ombudsperson releases her report on her review of the Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation

BC’s Ombudsperson Kim Carter has released her report on the Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation. Her report makes a number of important recommendations based on her findings, including the following:

The Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation review its Persons with Disabilities (PWD) application process and make the necessary changes to improve the accuracy of decisions about PWD status made at the first level of decision making and track and report publicly the results of those changes.

And,

The Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation minimize the impacts of delayed reconsiderations on clients’ assistance by taking the steps necessary to make the effective date of an approval at reconsideration or a subsequent appeal no later than the date the reconsideration is required to have been made under the Regulations.

The Ministry has agreed to implement all of the Ombudsperson’s recommendations. Here’s the link to the report:

http://www.ombudsman.bc.ca/images/resources/report
/Public_Reports/Time_Matters_Report_35_web.pdf

For more information, please contact Robin Loxton at: povpost@bccpd.bc.ca

The Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation (MSDSI) has made a positive change to the regulations governing the Request for Reconsideration process. This change will start immediately. It will primarily impact people who have applied for the Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers (PPMB) benefit, the Persons with Disabilities (PWD) benefit and the Monthly Nutritional Supplement (MNS) who have had their Reconsideration decision delayed.

Here’s how this change will work.

Unless someone applies for an extension, the Ministry must make its decision about a Request for Reconsideration within 10 business days. Benefits for PPMB, PWD and the MNS start the month after the Ministry makes its decision.

Before, if the MSDSI took longer than 10 business days to make its reconsideration decision, people could lose a month’s benefits, depending upon the date the reconsideration decision was due. Now, when this happens people will not lose a month’s benefits.

This change to the Request for Reconsideration process is backdated to 2009. It means that the Ministry will begin issuing 1,272 people compensation payments by January 13th 2014. People do not need to apply for this compensation, payments will be made automatically. These payments will range from $10 – $2,000 depending on the case.

Here’s a link to the Ministry’s announcement about this change: http://tinyurl.com/nxhplge

If you have any questions, please email Robin Loxton at povpost@bccpd.bc.ca

Have you signed up for Our Voice, our monthly e-newsletter? If you would like to receive it please go to this link: http://www.bccpd.bc.ca/ And, please don’t forget to “like” us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Thank you!

BCCPD is encouraged by this initiative that became effective on July 8, 2013, which will streamline the application process for youth with developmental disabilities who are accessing disability benefits.

For more information: http://www.communitylivingbc.ca/2013/07/new-process-to-simplify-youth-disability-assistance/