Pathways | Poverty Law Advocacy Program

Poverty Law Advocacy Program - qathet SAFE

Advocacy, Financial, and Legal

Provided by Powell River Community Services Association (PRCSA)

Provides free legal information and advocacy services to low-income residents in qathet.

Provides free, confidential legal information, advocacy and referrals to low-income residents of the qathet region. In partnership with the Law Foundation of BC, the advocate provides support in the following areas:

Disability benefits: Provincial Persons with Disability (PWD); Federal CPP-Disability (CPP-D)
Tenancy issues: Dispute Resolution process and Residential Tenancy Branch Hearings
Income assistance: Ministry of Social Development & Poverty Reduction applications; Rent bank; Community crisis grants
Seniors issues: Old Age Security; CPP; GIS
Debt and consumer law: Looking at options and solutions
Human rights issues: BC Human Rights Tribunal
Low income housing: Applications with BC Housing
Employment law: Workers’ Rights; Employment Standards Act
Family law: Information and referral only

Within these areas of service, the Poverty Law Advocate can help individuals:

Understand rights and responsibilities
Identify deadlines and limitation periods
Clarify goals and options
Review legislation, statutes and regulations to assess the likelihood of success
Get started with applications, reconsiderations and appeals
Communicate with landlords, government agencies, creditors and decision makers
Prepare for hearings, tribunals and your first meeting with a lawyer
Address systemic issues that affect members of a marginalized group
Understand your right to be heard and the likelihood of judicial review
Locate other helpful resources