Clicklaw Blog

West Coast LEAF has just published a new resource, Separation Agreements: Your Right to Fairness. This plain language booklet is for anyone interested in learning more about the financial issues that arise when a couple separates. It includes tips for managing your own case, how to work well with your lawyer, and information on completing financial statements for court.

The project came out of the Rick v Brandsema case where the Supreme Court of Canada found that the parties’  separation agreement was “unconscionable”, and therefore invalid. After this case, West Coast LEAF reports that they received numerous calls from women and advocates facing the challenge of needing the courts to review unfair separation agreements. To address this need, they’ve produced this resource. It’s part of a larger project to expand women’s knowledge about their rights in family law and will also include a series of workshops for advocates and service providers in BC to educate them about separation agreements. These workshops will take place in the second half of 2012.

If you or someone you know have questions about income assistance in British Columbia, you’ll want to have a look at this updated publication from Legal Services Society. Your Welfare Rights: A Guide to BC Employment and Assistance has just been revised and reprinted.

This comprehensive guide has been around for 25 years, and includes information on Income Assistance for employable people,  Persons with Disabilities benefits, Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers benefits, and Hardship benefits. The latest edition, in purple, is written in plain language and includes practical tips throughout. It also highlights important information on Persons with Disabilities benefits. Written for people who need to apply for benefits or who are already on income assistance, the booklet explains:

• who is eligible for welfare,
• the application process,
• what benefits are available to you and your family,
•  your responsibilities while on welfare,
• how to appeal a decision, and
• where you can get more information or help.

Available online in pdf format, this booklet is regarded by many community workers and public librarians as an invaluable resources to help their clients. You can also order free print copies from Crown Publications (under Quick Links, click Legal Services Society).

Clicklaw has links to Your Welfare Rights and other useful public legal education and information resources on pensions, benefits and welfare programs.