Long-Term Disability Benefits Bill

Read the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities’ letter to MPs and Senators asking them to support Senator Art Eggleton’s Bill S-216 which would amend the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act and the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act. The Bill will prevent Canadians who need Long Term Disability (LTD) benefits from being denied income supports when companies with uninsured plans become insolvent. (more…)

Woodlands Survivors Must Apply for Compensation by September 2011

On July 7, 2010, the British Columbia Supreme Court approved a settlement of a class action for people who lived at Woodlands. The settlement provides compensation of between $3,000 and $150,000 to each former resident who establishes that he or she was subjected to sexual, physical, or psychological misconduct or injury while living at Woodlands on or after August 1, 1974.  Money is also available for counseling for these injuries.

To apply for compensation

• The Class Member, or someone acting on their behalf, must complete a claim form by September 12th, 2011
• The completed claim form must be delivered or postmarked to the Woodlands Class Action Claims Registry, #300 – 1275 West 6th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V6H 1A6, by no later than September 12, 2011

Class Members who validly opted out of the class action on or before December 22, 2008, are not part of the settlement.

Getting Help

• For help in making a claim and for more information
• For a copy of the claim form
• For a copy of the settlement agreement

Please Contact: Klein Lyons http://www.kleinlyons.com

Suite 1100-1333 West Broadway Vancouver, BC Canada V6H 4C1                          Phone: 604-874-7171 or email: info@kleinlyons.com

Please click here to see BCCPD’s Woodlands page.

Ministry of Housing and Social Development Reverses Decision to Restrict Health Coverage for People with Disabilities

MEDIA RELEASE

The BC Coalition of People with Disabilities is pleased that the Medical Services Only (MSO) health coverage restrictions recently introduced by the Ministry of Housing and Social Development (MHSD) have been reversed after concerns were raised by the community. These health coverage restrictions affected seniors with disabilities in particular.

On April 1st, 2010 MHSD introduced restrictions that limited Medical Services Only coverage for seniors with disabilities leaving provincial assistance and going onto federal pensions, and people leaving provincial assistance for Canada Pension Plan-Disability benefits. Health coverage for these groups was restricted to a period of one year only. As of April 30th, 2010 this one year restriction has been removed and people will continue to be eligible for Medical Services Only as long as they qualify for the Guaranteed Income Supplement or Canada Pension Plan benefits.

The BCCPD is pleased that vulnerable populations can continue to access the Medical Services Only benefit. However, other changes introduced by MHSD on April 1st, 2010 are still in effect. These changes include restrictions to medical equipment and supplies such as the removal of payment for prefabricated orthotics and limits on the amount of money MHSD will pay for a motorized scooter and other equipment.

For more information:

Please contact the Advocacy Access Program at 604-872-1278 or 1-800-663-1278.