An example of a fair and reasonable process being followed.

While waiting on the outcome of her Long-Term Disability (LTD) benefits application, Jane applied for and received one month of assistance from the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction (MSDPR) after she had exhausted her Employment Insurance Benefits. The following month her LTD benefits kicked in. Jane then received a notice of pending collection from both MSDPR and Revenue Services BC. Not understanding why she was receiving collection notices, Jane contacted us for help.

We investigated whether the MSDPR followed a reasonable process in determining Jane’s eligibility for repayable hardship assistance.

We reached out to the ministry and were advised that, based on the information Jane provided, she was ineligible for regular income assistance. Jane did however meet the criteria for hardship assistance, a type of assistance that is repayable. As a condition to issuing assistance, the ministry required Jane to sign a “Promise to Pay” form, which details the repayment obligation and the ministry’s repayment terms.

Based on our review, we found the steps taken by the ministry were consistent with legislation, sound and reasonable.