If you feel that the Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation’s decision was wrong, you have the right to ask for a review of that decision (called a reconsideration). If a reconsideration does not change their decision, you can usually file an appeal.

Good starting points include:

• Your Welfare Rights: A Guide to BC Employment and Assistance, from the Legal Services Society, has information on crisis grants, also called crisis supplements. The chapter “How to Appeal” explains how to appeal a decision about your benefits. 
• Income Assistance: Reconsideration and Appeals, from the Canadian Bar Association BC Branch, provides an overview of the welfare appeal process.
• LSLAP Manual: Welfare Law, from the UBC Law Students' Legal Advice Program, has a section on "Appeals."
• BC Employment and Assistance: Reconsiderations and Appeals, from the Ministry of Social Development & Social Innovation, describes how to request a reconsideration when you think a decision about your assistance or employment plan was wrong. It also describes the appeal process if you think the reconsideration decision was wrong.

See our related common questions:

• If I don’t get welfare this month I’ll lose my housing
• I’ve been turned down for CPP disability benefits
• See all common questions about pensions, benefits & welfare

tags

welfare, welfare appeal, income assistance, crisis grant, BC Employment and Assistance (BCEA)