Outreach & Advocacy
The Outreach & Advocacy Program is a team of staff and volunteers who assist clients with navigating poverty and crisis-related issues through referrals, information, advice and representation.
Our areas of service include the following:
Outreach & Advocacy Office
Call us:
604-279-7077
Mon-Sat:
9:00 am – 4:30 pm
Income Security
Advocates assist clients with applications and issues related to government-funded income supports and subsidies.
Examples
- Income Assistance (IA)/Persons with Disabilities (PWD)
- Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and CPP-Disability (CPP-D)/Old Age Security (OAS)/Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)
- Canada Child Benefit (CCB)
- Employment Insurance (EI)
- Disability Tax Credit (DTC)/Canada Disability Benefit (CDB)
- Rental Assistance Program (RAP)/Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER)
Tenancy
Advocates work with tenants to resolve conflicts (informally and via the Residential Tenancy Branch or Civil Resolution Tribunal) related to rental units and cohabitation.
Examples
- Evictions
- Rent Increases
- Security Deposits
- Repairs and Maintenance
- Quiet Enjoyment
- Roommate issues
Employment Standards
Advocates work with employees to resolve matters (informally and via the Employment Standards Branch) related to minimum employment standards under the Employment Standards Act.
Examples
- Notice of Termination/Severance
- Final Wages
- Vacation/Leave Entitlements
Consumer Law
Advocates work with clients to attempt to resolve consumer complaints by providing referrals/information/advice, liaising with businesses or filing administrative complaints/claims.
Examples
- Deceptive Practices
- Refunds/Returns
- Contractual Disputes
Debt
Advocates help clients assess and attempt to resolve their debts.
Examples
- Government Benefits Overpayments
- Lack of Income/Budgeting Issues
- Credit Card/Lender Debts
Indigenous Law
Advocates provide support for a variety of Indigenous program applications and issues.
Examples
- Indian Status/Status Cards
- Health Benefits
- Band Membership
Administrative Advocacy
Advocates help clients experiencing barriers due to houslessness, poverty and/or abuse to access programs through referrals and applications.
Examples
- Housing/Shelters (e.g. BC Housing, Assisted Living)
- Women and Children Escaping Violence/Safety Planning
- ID Recovery (e.g. BC Services Card, Birth Certificate)
- Food/Health Care/Employment (e.g. Food Bank, Medical Services Plan, Employment Programs)
- Civil Resolution Tribunal (e.g. Some Small Claims, Intimate Images Claims – Applications Only)
- BC Human Rights Tribunal (Applications Only)