APPEAL# I PART C -:- Decision under Appeal The decision under appeal is the Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation (the ministry) reconsideration decision dated October 27, 2014 which denied the appellant's request for a supplement to cover the cost of custom-made foot orthotics because she does not meet the legislative criteria set out in section 67 (1) or 76 of the Employment and Assistance Regulation (EAR) or section 62 (1) of the Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Regulation (EAPWDR). In particular, the ministry determined that the appellant is not: • a person with persistent multiple barriers to employment (s. 67(1) of the EAR); • the recipient of disability assistance (s. 62 (1) of the EAPWDR); or • in direct and imminent life threatening need and the orthotic is necessary to meet this need (s. 76 of the EAR). PART D -Relevant Legislation Employment and Assistance Regulation (EAR) -sections 67 and 76 Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Regulation (EAPWDR) -section 62(1) EAAT 003( 10/06/01)
I APPEAL# PART E -Summary of Facts The appellant did not attend the hearing. After confirming that the appellant was notified, the hearing proceeded pursuant to Section 86(b) of the Employment and Assistance Regulation. The evidence before the ministry at the time of the reconsideration decision included: 1. A letter from the appellant's physician signed and dated September 8, 2014, which states that the appellant "has flat feet resulting in severe plantar fasciitis with severe feet pain. She needs custom made orthotics (which she can't afford) to help her pain."; 2. An Orthoses Request and Justification form, signed and dated by the appellant physician on August 11, 2014, and signed and dated by her orthotist on August 15, 2014. Both professionals support the appellant's need for the orthotics. In section 2 of the form, the physician describes the appellant condition as, Pes Plannus and Plantar Fasciitis, recommends custom made orthotics and indicates 'yes' to the question "Is a custom-made orthosis required?". In section 3, the orthotist explains that the orthotics will be required to made of plaster of paris casts, they will assist in joint motion and/or support by increasing support to the arches of the feet to stabilize the pain of the feet, and that they will improve neuro-musculo-skeletal functioning and assist in physical healing from either surgery, injury or disease. 3. A letter from the orthotist dated August 18, 2014 which states the appellant has bilateral pes plan nus and plantar fasciitis, a pair of custom orthotics have been prescribed and the cost will be $430.00; 4. A prescription for orthotics signed by the appellant's physician and dated July 11, 2014; 5. A Request for Reconsideration signed and dated October 10, 2014, which states: • custom made foot orthotics have been prescribed to her; • orthotics are essential to increase support for her feet, relieve pain and prevent further damage to her health; • her pain feels disabling and prevents her from leading a healthy life and finding employment as it is causing multiple barriers in her mobility. In the Notice of Appeal, signed and dated November 5, 2014, the appellant states that without proper mobility and assistance she will not be successful in finding work. She also included a letter from her physician signed and dated November 4, 2014, which states that the appellant " ... has ongoing severe pain in both feet. She was diagnosed with pes plannus with plantar fasciitis. [The appellant] will benefit from custom made orthotics which [have] been denied. Kindly reconsider her application as she needs [the orthotics] to regain her normal healthy life style and activities." At the hearing the ministry relied on its reconsideration decision and added that in order to be eligible for a supplement to cover the costs of custom made orthotics: • the appellant must be a recipient of income assistance with the qualification of either a Person with Persistent Multiple Barriers (PPMB) or a Person with Disabilities (PWD), and in this case, the appellant meets neither qualification; or • the appellant must be in direct and imminent life threateninq need and the orthotics meet that EAAT 003( 10106101)
APPEAL# I need. In this case, the ministry determined that though the orthotics would be beneficial to the appellant's medical condition, she is not in a direct and imminent life threatening need. Admissibility of New Information The ministry did not raise an objection to the additional letter. The physician's letter dated November 4, 2014 provided information regarding the appellant's need for orthotics and the panel admitted this additional information as being in support of information and records that were before the ministry at the time of reconsideration, in accordance with Section 22(4)(b) of the Employment and Assistance Act. EAAT003(10/06/01)
P A R T F R e a s o n s f o r P a n e l D e c i s i o n T h e i s s u e o n t h e a p p e a l i s w h e t h e r t h e m i n i s t r y ' s r e a p p e l l a n t ' s r e q u e s t f o r a s u p p l e m e n t t o c o v e r t h e c o n o t m e e t t h e l e g i s l a t i v e c r i t e r i a s e t o u t i n s e c t i o n 6 7 R e g u l a t i o n ( E A R ) o r s e c t i o n 6 2 ( 1 ) o f t h e E m p l o y m R e g u l a t i o n ( E A P W D R ) , i s r e a s o n a b l y s u p p o r t e d b y l e g i s l a t i o n i n t h e a p p e l l a n t ' s c i r c u m s t a n c e s . I n p a r t t h e a p p e l l a n t d o e s n o t h a v e t h e q u a l i f i c a t i o n a s a p e e m p l o y m e n t p u r s u a n t t o s e c t i o n 6 7 o f t h e E A R , i s n s e c t i o n 6 2 ( 1 ) o f t h e E A P W D R o r i s n o t i n d i r e c t a n d a r e n e c e s s a r y t o m e e t t h a t n e e d p u r s u a n t t o s e c t i o n T h e r e l e v a n t l e g i s l a t i o n i s a s f o l l o w s : E A R : G e n e r a l h e a l t h s u p p l e m e n t s 6 7 ( 1 ) S u b j e c t t o s u b s e c t i o n ( 1 . 1 ) , t h e m i n i s s e c t i o n 2 [ g e n e r a l h e a l t h s u p p l e m e n t s ] o t o o r f o r a f a m i l y u n i t i f t h e h e a l t h s u p p l e u n i t w h o ( a ) i s a r e c i p i e n t o f i n c o m e a a l l o w a n c e ] , 4 [ m o n t h l y s h e l o r 9 [ p e o p l e i n e m e r g e n c y s ( i ) a n y p e r s o n i n t h b a r r i e r s t o e m p l o y m e ( i i ) t h e r e c i p i e n t d o e g u a r a n t e e d i n c o m e s ( i i i ) R e p e a l e d . [ B . C . ( b ) i s a r e c i p i e n t o f i n c o m e a c a r e ] o f S c h e d u l e A , ( c ) i s a d e p e n d a n t o f a p e r s o ( i ) p a r a g r a p h ( b ) , ( i i ) p a r a g r a p h ( f ) , i f t h e d a y t h e p e r s o n r e t h a t p e r s o n , ( i i i ) o a r a q r a p h ( g ) , E AA T 0 0 3 ( 1 0 / 0 6 / 0 1 )I A P P E A L # c o n s i d e r a t i o n d e c i s i o n , w h i c h d e n i e d t h e s t o f c u s t o m m a d e f o o t o r t h o t i c s b e c a u s e s h e d i d ( a ) o r 7 6 o f t h e E m p l o y m e n t a n d A s s i s t a n c e e n t a n d A s s i s t a n c e f o r P e r s o n s w i t h D i s a b i l i t i e s t h e e v i d e n c e o r i s a r e a s o n a b l e a p p l i c a t i o n o f t h e i c u l a r , w a s t h e m i n i s t r y r e a s o n a b l e i n f i n d i n g t h a t r s o n w i t h p e r s i s t e n t m u l t i p l e b a r r i e r s t o o t t h e r e c i p i e n t o f d i s a b i l i t y a s s i s t a n c e p u r s u a n t t o i m m i n e n t l i f e t h r e a t e n i n g n e e d a n d t h e o rt h o t i c s 7 6 o f t h e E A R ? t e r m a y p r o v i d e a n y h e a l t h s u p p l e m e n t s e t o u t i n r 3 [ m e d i c a l e q u i p m e n t a n d d e v i c e s ] o f S c h e d u l e C m e n t i s p r o v i d e d t o o r f o r a p e r s o n i n t h e f a m i l y s s i s t a n c e u n d e r s e c t i o n 2 [ m o n t h l y s u p p o r t t e r a l l o w a n c e ] , 6 [ p e o p l e r e c e i v i n g r o o m a n d b o a r d ] h e l t e r s a n d t r a n s i t i o n h o u s e s ] o f S c h e d u l e A i f e f a m i l y u n i t i s a p e r s o n w h o h a s p e r s i s t e n t m u l t i p l e n t , a n d s n o t r e c e i v e a f e d e r a l s p o u s e ' s a l l o w a n c e o r u p p l e m e n t b e n e f i t s . R e g . 5 7 / 2 0 0 7 , s . 1 . ] s s i s t a n c e u n d e r s e c t i o n 8 [ p e o p l e r e c e i v i n g s p e c i a l n r e f e r r e d t o i n t h e d e p e n d a n t w a s a d e p e n d a n t o f t h e p e r s o n o n a c h e d 6 5 y e a r s o f a g e a n d r e m a i n s a d e p e n d a n t o f i f t h e d e o e n d a n t w a s a d e o e n d a n t o f t h e p e r s o n o n
t h e d a y t h e p e r s o n ' s a s s i s t a n c e a s a r e s u l m e m b e r o f t h e p e r s o a p p r o v e d b y t h e S u p o r ( i v ) p a r a g r a p h ( h ) , t h e d a y t h e p e r s o n ' s a s s i s t a n c e a s a r e s u l I n j u r y C o m p e n s a t i o n A s s i s t a n c e A c t m a d e f a m i l y u n i t , a n d ( A ) i f t h e d e p p r e m i u m a s s i s ( B ) i f t h e d e p u n i t i s r e c e i v i n g u a r a n t e e d i n ( d ) R e p e a l e d . [ B . C . R e g . 4 8 / ( e ) i s a d e p e n d e n t c h i l d o f a a s s i s t a n c e , ( f ) w a s o n t h e d a y t h e p e r s o ( i ) a r e c i p i e n t o f i n c a l l o w a n c e ] , 4 [ m o n t h b o a r d ] , 8 [ p e o p l e r e c s h e l t e r s a n d t r a n s i t i o ( i i ) e l i g i b l e f o r h e a l t s u p p l e m e n t s ] o r 3 [ m ( g ) m e e t s t h e f o l l o w i n g r e q u ( i ) h a s n o t r e a c h e d ( i i ) i s a p a r t o f a f a m a s s i s t a n c e a s a r e s u l t m e m b e r o f t h e p e r s o a p p r o v e d b y t h e S u p ( i i i ) w a s e l i q i b l e f o r E AA T 0 0 3 ( 1 0 / 0 6 / 0 1 )I A P P E A L # f a m i l y u n i t c e a s e d t o b e e l i g i b l e f o r i n c o m e t o f a p a y m e n t m a d e t o t h e p e r s o n o r a n o t h e r n ' s f a m i l y u n i t u n d e r t h e s e t t l e m e n t a g r e e m e n t r e m e C o u r t i n A c t i o n N o . 5 5 0 8 0 8 , K e l o w n a R e g i s t r y , i f t h e d e p e n d a n t w a s a d e p e n d a n t o f t h e p e r s o n o n f a m i l y u n i t c e a s e d t o b e e l i g i b l e f o r i n c o m e t o f a n a w a r d o f c o m p e n s a t i o n u n d e r t h e C r i m i n a l A c t o r a n a w a r d o f b e n e f i t s u n d e r t h e C r i m e V i c t i m t o t h e p e r s o n o r a n o t h e r m e m b e r o f t h e p e r s o n ' s e n d a n t i s u n d e r a g e 6 5 , t h e f a m i l y u n i t i s r e c e i v i n g t a n c e u n d e r t h e M e d i c a r e P r o t e c t i o n A c t , o r e n d a n t i s a g e d 6 5 o r m o r e , a n y p e r s o n i n t h e f a m i l y g t h e f e d e r a l s p o u s e ' s a l l o w a n c e o r t h e f e d e r a l c o m e s u p p l e m e n t , 2 0 1 0 , S c h . 1 , s . 1 ( b ) . ] r e c i p i e n t o f i n c o m e a s s i s t a n c e o r h a r d s h i p n r e a c h e d 6 5 y e a r s o f a g e o m e a s s i s t a n c e u n d e r s e c t i o n 2 [ m o n t h l y s u p p o r t l y s h e l t e r a l l o w a n c e ] , 6 [ p e o p l e r e c e i v i n g r o o m a n d e i v i n g s p e c i a l c a r e ] o r 9 [ p e o p l e i n e m e r g e n c y n h o u s e s ] o f S c h e d u l e A , a n d h s u p p l e m e n t s u n d e r s e c t i o n 2 [ g e n e r a l h e a l t h e d i c a l e q u i p m e n t a n d d e v i c e s ] o f S c h e d u l e C , i r e m e n t s : 6 5 y e a r s o f a g e ; i l y u n i t t h a t c e a s e d t o b e e l i g i b l e f o r i n c o m e o f a p a y m e n t m a d e t o t h e p e r s o n o r a n o t h e r n ' s f a m i l y u n i t u n d e r t h e s e t t l e m e n t a g r e e m e n t r e m e C o u r t i n A c t i o n N o . 5 5 0 8 0 8 , K e l o w n a R e g i s t r y ; h e a l t h s u p p l e m e n t s u n d e r s e c t i o n 2 o r 3 o f
S c h e d u l e C o n t h e d a i n c o m e a s s i s t a n c e , o ( h ) m e e t s a l l o f t h e f o l l o w i n ( i ) i s p a r t o f a f a m i l a s s i s t a n c e a s a r e s u l I n j u r y C o m p e n s a t i o n A s s i s t a n c e A c t m a d e f a m i l y u n i t ; ( i i ) w a s e l i g i b l e f o r C o n t h e d a y t h e p e r a s s i s t a n c e ; ( i i i ) e i t h e r ( A ) i f t h e p e r p r e m i u m a s s i s ( B ) i f t h e p e r u n i t i s r e c e i v i n g u a r a n t e e d i n ( 1 . 1 ) A p e r s o n e l i g i b l e t o r e c e i v e a h e a l t h r e c e i v e t h e s u p p l e m e n t ( a ) w h i l e a n y p e r s o n i n t h e f a l l o w a n c e o r t h e f e d e r a l g u a ( b ) f o r a m a x i m u m o f o n e y e b e e l i g i b l e f o r m e d i c a l s e r v i c ( 1 . 2 ) A p e r s o n w h o w a s e l i g i b l e t o r e c e i v o r ( h ) b u t c e a s e s t o b e e l i g i b l e f o r m e d i c a s u p p l e m e n t f o r a m a x i m u m o f o n e y e a r f e l i g i b l e f o r m e d i c a l s e r v i c e s o n l y . ( 2 ) S u b j e c t t o s u b s e c t i o n ( 3 ) , t h e m i n i s t e s e c t i o n 2 [ g e n e r a l h e a l t h s u p p l e m e n t s ] o t o o r f o r a f a m i l y u n i t i f t h e h e a l t h s u p p l e u n i t w h o ( a ) h a s r e c e i v e d i n c o m e a s s A c t o r t h e A c t c o n t i n u o u s l y f E AA T 0 0 3 ( 1 0 / 0 6 / 0 1 )A P P E A L # I y t h e p e r s o n ' s f a m i l y u n i t c e a s e d t o b e e l i g i b l e f o r r g r e q u i r e m e n t s : y u n i t t h a t c e a s e d t o b e e l i g i b l e f o r i n c o m e t o f a n a w a r d o f c o m p e n s a t i o n u n d e r t h e C r i m i n a l A c t o r a n a w a r d o f b e n e f i t s u n d e r t h e C r i m e V i c t i m t o t h e p e r s o n o r a n o t h e r m e m b e r o f t h e p e r s o n ' s h e a l t h s u p p l e m e n t s u n d e r s e c t i o n 2 o r 3 o f S c h e d u l e s o n ' s f a m i l y u n i t c e a s e d t o b e e l i g i b l e f o r i n c o m e s o n i s u n d e r a g e 6 5 , t h e f a m i l y u n i t i s r e c e i v i n g t a n c e u n d e r t h e M e d i c a r e P r o t e c t i o n A c t , o r s o n i s a g e d 6 5 o r m o r e , a n y p e r s o n i n t h e f a m i l y g t h e f e d e r a l s p o u s e ' s a l l o w a n c e o r t h e f e d e r a l c o m e s u p p l e m e n t . s u p p l e m e n t u n d e r s u b s e c t i o n ( 1 ) ( c ) ( i i ) o r ( f ) m a y a m i l y u n i t i s r e c e i v i n g t h e f e d e r a l s p o u s e ' s r a n t e e d i n c o m e s u p p l e m e n t , a n d a r f r o m t h e d a t e o n w h i c h t h e f a m i l y u n i t c e a s e d t o e s o n l y . e a h e a l t h s u p p l e m e n t u n d e r s u b s e c t i o n ( 1 ) ( c ) ( i v ) l s e r v i c e s o n l y m a y c o n t i n u e t o r e c e i v e t h e r o m t h e d a t e o n w h i c h t h e f a m i l y u n i t c e a s e d t o b e r m a y p r o v i d e a n y h e a l t h s u p p l e m e n t s e t o u t i n r 3 [ m e d i c a l e q u i p m e n t a n d d e v i c e s ] o f S c h e d u l e C m e n t i s p r o v i d e d t o o r f o r a r e c i p i e n t i n t h e f a m i l y i s t a n c e u n d e r t h e B C B e n e f i t s ( I n c o m e A s s i s t a n c e ) r o m M a r c h 3 1 1 9 9 7 a n d o n M a r c h 3 0 , 1 9 9 7 w a s
el ig ible u nder s ec ti o n 37 (1) Re gulations, B.C. Reg. 272 / services a nd bene fits referr ed (b) is a dep endan t of a recipi (3 ) Sub s ection (2) appli es o nly unti l th ( a) th e da t e th e recipient cea (b) th e f ir s t day of t he determ inat i o n that the recip than a de p e n de nt c hild, (4) A person refe r r ed to in subs e c ti on e l igib le for an y supplem ent un d er resid ence out side British Columb ia. Health supple m ent f o r per s on s facing dir e c t an d imm i nent life th reatening 7 6 The min is te r ma y p r ovi de t o a fa mily unit an a nd (f) [ gene r al he a lth s upplements ] an d i f the he a l th sup plement is pr ovi d ed to or f el igibl e for th e h e a lth supple ment under thi (a) t he perso n faces a d ir e c t an n o r eso ur ces a vailab le to t he (b) t he heal th su ppl e men t is nece (c) the person's family unit is receiving premium assistance under the Medicare Protection Act, and (d) the requirement s specified in the following provisions of Schedule C, as a p pli cable, a r e m et: (i) paragraph (a) or (f) of section (2) (1); (ii ) secti o n s 3 to 3.12, EAP WDR: General health supplements 62 (1) Subject to subsections (1.1) and (1.2), the minister may provide any health supplement set out in section 2 faeneral health suoolementsl or 3 {medical eauioment and devices] of EAAT 003(10/06101) I A P PE A L# (a) of the B C Benefits ( In c o me As sis t a nce ) 9 6, as it read on Mar c h 30, 199 7, for the health c ar e t o in that provisio n , o r e nt referr ed t o in par agraph ( a) . e e ar l ier of t h e fo l lo w i ng dates: ses t o re ceive in c o m e a ss i s tanc e ; ca lendar m o nth after the minister makes a i ent, or an y d ependa nt of t he r e c i pi e n t o ther is cap able of a c ceptin g e mplo yment. ( 1) ( c) (ii ), (iii) o r (iv), (f) , (g) o r (h) c e as e s t o be t his D ivision if the person' s famil y u n it t a k es up hea lth need y h ealth s upp l eme nt set out in s e ct i ons 2 (1) (a ) 3 [m edi cal equ ipment and devices] of S c h ed u l e C, or a pe r so n in t h e family u nit who i s othe r wi s e n o t s r egula t i on , a nd if t he m ini ste r is s a t i s fie d th at d i mminent li f e thr eateni ng need a nd the re ar e person's fam il y u n it w ith w hich to meet t ha t nee d, s sar y to meet that ne ed , other than p aragraph (a ) o f s e cti o n 3 (1).
Schedule C to or for a family uni t if the health the family unit wh o is (a) a recipient of disability assistance (b) a p er son with disabilities who has not reached 65 ceased to be eligible for disability assistance because of (i) employment income earned by the person or the pers either the perso n or th (A) is under a assis tanc e u nder (B) is aged 65 or more and a recei vi ng the i n come supplement (ii) a pension or othe (Can ad a), (iii) mo ney received settle m e nt agreemen No. S 50808 , Kelowna Re (iv) m o ney or v alu e is main t en anc e u nder o t h er agree m e nt, if ei (A) is under age 65 assi stanc e u nder ( B) is aged 65 or more receiving the federal spouse's allowanc income supplement, (c) a person who was a recipient of dis be ca me 65 years of age a nd a dependant of that person, if the dependant was a dependant of the person on that day and remains a dependant of that person, (d) a dependant of a person referred to in paragraph (d.1) a depen d ant of any person in t h e family unit (i) receiving premium assistance under the Medicare Protection Act, or (i i) is aqed 65 or m o EAAT 003( 1 0/06/01) I APPEA L# suppleme nt is provid ed t o or for a pe r s o n i n years of age and who has on' s sp ou se, if e pe rson's spouse ge 65 and the famil y uni t is receiving premium the Me dicare P r o tectio n Act, or p e r son in th e fami l y unit i s f e de ra l spouse's a l lowance o r t h e f e deral guar a n teed , r payme n t unde r the Ca n ada P e n sion Pl an by th e person or the perso n 's spouse und er th e t a pproved by the Su preme Co urt in Action g i st ry, o r r ece i ve d by t he pe r son o r the per s on ' s s po use t hat a mainten ance ord er, maintenanc e agree m e nt o r th er the person o r th e pers on' s spouse a nd th e f ami l y unit is r ece iv ing premium th e M edic ar e Pr o tec tion Act, or and any p er son in the family unit is e or the federal guarantee d ability assistance o n the d ay he or sh e (a) or (b) (iii), a p erso n referr ed to in p a rag r ap h (b) (i) or (iv ), if is u n d e r age 65 and t he family unit is re a n d anv person in th e fam ily unit is receivi n q
I APPEAi # the federal spouse's allowance or the federal guaranteed income supplement, (d.2) a dependant of a person referred to in paragraph (b) (ii), (d.3) a dependant of a person referred to in paragraph (f), if any person in the family unit (i) is under age 65 and the family unit is receiving premium assistance under the Medicare Protection Act, or (ii) is aged 65 or more and any person in the family unit is receiving the federal spouse's allowance or the federal guaranteed income supplement, (e) a dependent child of a recipient of hardship assistance, (f) a person with disabilities who has ceased to be eligible for disability assistance because of an award of compensation under the Criminal Injury Compensation Act or an award of benefits under the Crime Victim Assistance Act made to the person or the person's spouse, if (i) the person is under age 65 and the family unit is receiving premium assistance under the Medicare Protection Act, or (ii) the person is aged 65 or more and any person in the family unit is receiving the federal spouse's allowance or the federal guaranteed income supplement, or (g) a person whose family unit ceases to be eligible for disability assistance because of financial assistance provided through an agreement under section 12.3 of the Child, Family and Community Service Act, during the term of the agreement. The Ministry's Position The ministry's position is the appellant is only eligible for a supplement for custom made orthotics if she is the recipient of income assistance with the qualification of either Person with Persistent Multiple Barriers or designation as a Persons with Disabilities. She may also be eligible for a supplement for custom made orthotics if she is not otherwise eligible and if she is in direct and imminent life threatening need and the orthotics meet that need. The ministry argues that while the appellant may benefit from the orthotics, she has not established that she is in direct and imminent life threatening need and that the pair of orthotics meets that need. EAAT 003(10/06/01)
T h e A p p e ll a n t ' s P o s i t i o n T h e a p p e l l a n t ' s p o s i t i o n i s t h a t b o t h h e r p h y s i c i a n a o r t h o t i c s t o s t a b i l i z e h e r f o o t a n d j o i n t s i n a n o p t i m a f u r t h e r d a m a g e t o h e r f e e t . S h e a r g u e s t h a t w i t h o u d i s a b l e s h e r f r o m l e a d i n g a h e a l t h y l i f e a n d c a r r y i n g a r g u e s t h a t t h e p e r s i s t e n t p a i n i s c a u s i n g a m u l t i p l e T h e P a n e l ' s D e c i s i o n S e c t i o n 6 7 o f t h e E A R s t a t e s t h a t t h e m i n i s t r y m a y p a n y p e r s o n i n t h e r e c i p i e n t ' s f a m i l y u n i t i s a p e r s o n e m p l o y m e n t . T h e m i n i s t r y a r g u e s t h a t t h e a p p e l l a n M u l t i p l e B a r r i e r s . T h e a p p e l l a n t s t a t e s t h a t t h e p e r s b a r r i e r s t o h e r m o b i l i t y b u t s h e d o e s n o t a r g u e t h a t B a r r i e r s t o e m p l o y m e n t . T h e p a n e l f i n d s t h a t t h e e v a n y m e m b e r o f h e r f a m i l y u n i t h a s t h e q u a l i f i c a t i o n o m i n i s t r y r e a s o n a b l y d e t e r m i n e d t h a t t h e a p p e l l a n t i s m a d e o r t h o t i c s p u r s u a n t t o s e c t i o n 6 7 o f t h e E A R . S e c t i o n 6 2 ( 1 ) o f t h e E A P W D R s t a t e s t h a t t h e m i n i s l e g i s l a t i o n t o a r e c i p i e n t o f d i s a b i l i t y a s s i s t a n c e . T h r e c i p i e n t o f d i s a b i l i t y a s s i s t a n c e a n d d o e s n o t h a v e a p p e l l a n t a r g u e s t h a t h e r p e r s i s t e n t p a i n i s d i s a b l i n g a r g u e t h a t s h e h a s b e e n d e s i g n a t e d a s a P e r s o n W d o e s n o t e s t a b l i s h t h a t t h e a p p e l l a n t i s a r e c i p i e n t o w i t h d i s a b i l i t i e s . A s a r e s u l t t h e p a n e l f i n d s t h a t t h e i s n o t e l i g i b l e f o r a s u p p l e m e n t f o r a p a i r o f c u s t o m m E A P W D R . S e c t i o n 7 6 o f t h e E A R s t a t e s t h a t t h e m i n i s t r y m a y p l e g i s l a t i o n t o a p e r s o n o r f a m i l y u n i t w h o i s o t h e r w i s m i n i s t r y i s s a t i s f i e d t h a t t h e p e r s o n f a c e s a d i r e c t a n t h e r e s o u r c e s t o p a y f o r t h e h e a l t h s u p p l e m e n t a n d n e e d . T h e m i n i s t r y a r g u e s t h a t t h o u g h t h e a p p e l l a n n o t f a c e a d i r e c t a n d i m m i n e n t l i f e t h r e a t e n i n g n e e d d i r e c t a n d i m m i n e n t l i f e t h r e a t e n i n g n e e d . T h e l e t t e a p p e l l a n t r e q u i r e s a p a i r o f o r t h o t i c s t o r e l i e v e p a i n . t h e a p p e l l a n t ' s o r t h o t i s t a l s o s t a t e s a n e e d f o r a p a i r p r o f e s s i o n a l s p e a k s t o t h e f a c t t h a t a p a i r o f o r t h o t i c h i s m o s t r e c e n t l e t t e r d a t e d N o v e m b e r 4 , 2 0 1 4 , t h e b e n e f i t " f r o m c u s t o m m a d e o r t h o t i c s , w h i c h s h e n e e a c t i v i t i e s . " T h e p a n e l f i n d s t h a t t h e e v i d e n c e d o e s n E AA T 0 0 3 ( 1 0 / 0 6 / 0 1 )A P P E A L # I n d o r t h o t i s t h a v e r e c o m m e n d e d c u s t o m m a d e l p o s i t i o n t o r e l i e f p r e s s u r e a n d p a i n , a n d p r e v e n t t t h e o r t h o t i c s s h e i s i n p e r s i s t e n t p a i n , w h i c h o n i n h e r s e a r c h t o f i n d e m p l o y m e n t . S h e a l s o b a r r i e r i n h e r m o b i l i t y . r o v i d e a n y h e a l t h s u p p l e m e n t s e t i n l e g i s l a t i o n i f w h o h a s p e r s i s t e n t m u l t i p l e b a r r i e r s t o t d o e s n o t q u a l i f y f o r P e r s o n s w i t h P e r s i s t e n t i s t e n t p a i n i n h e r f e e t h a v e g e n e r a t e d m u l t i p l e s h e q u a l i f i e s a s a P e r s o n w i t h P e r s i s t e n t M u l t i p l e i d e n c e d o e s n o t e s t a b l i s h t h a t t h e a p p e l l a n t o r f P P M B . A s a r e s u l t t h e p a n e l f i n d s t h a t t h e n o t e l i g i b l e f o r a s u p p l e m e n t f o r a p a i r o f c u s t o m t r y m a y p r o v i d e a n y h e a l t h s u p p l e m e n t s e t i n e m i n i s t r y a r g u e s t h a t t h e a p p e l l a n t i s n o t a t h e q u a l i f i c a t i o n o f p e r s o n w i t h d i s a b i l i t y . T h e h e r f r o m l i v i n g a h e a l t h y l i f e b u t s h e d o e s n o t i t h D i s a b i l i t i e s . T h e p a n e l f i n d s t h a t t h e e v i d e n c e f d i s a b i l i t y a s s i s t a n c e o r d e s i g n a t e d a s a p e r s o n m i n i s t r y r e a s o n a b l y d e t e r m i n e d t h a t t h e a p p e l l a n t a d e o r t h o t i c s p u r s u a n t t o s e c t i o n 6 2 ( 1 ) o f t h e r o v i d e a n y h e a l t h s u p p l e m e n t s e t o u t i n e n o t e l i g i b l e f o r t h e h e a l t h s u p p l e m e n t i f t h e d i m m i n e n t l i f e t h r e a t e n i n g n e e d , d o e s n o t h a v e t h e h e a l t h s u p p l e m e n t i s n e c e s s a r y t o m e e t t h a t t m a y b e n e f i t f r o m a p a i r o f o r t h o t i c s , s h e d o e s . T h e a p p e l l a n t m a k e s n o a r g u m e n t r e g a r d i n g a r s f r o m t h e a p p e l l a n t ' s d o c t o r i n d i c a t e t h a t t h e O n t h e O r t h o s e s R e q u e s t a n d J u s t i f i c a t i o n f o r m , o f o r t h o t i c s . H o w e v e r , n e i t h e r h e a l t h s i s n e c e s s a r y t o a v o i d a l i f e t h r e a t e n i n g n e e d . I n a p p e l l a n t ' s d o c t o r w r o t e t h a t t h e a p p e l l a n t " w i l l d s " t o r e g a i n h e r n o r m a l h e a l t h y l i f e s t y l e a n d o t e s t a b l i s h t h a t t h e a p p e l l a n t f a c e s a d i r e c t a n d
l i f e t h r e a t e n i n g n e e d a n d t h a t a p a i r o f o r t h o t i c s w o u t h a t t h e m i n i s t r y r e a s o n a b l y d e t e r m i n e d t h a t t h e a p p c u s t o m m a d e o r t h o t i c s p u r s u a n t t o s e c t i o n 6 7 o f t h e C o n c l u s i o n : T h e p a n e l f i n d s t h a t t h e m i n i s t ry ' s d e c i s i o n , w h i c h d c o v e r t h e c o s t o f c u s t o m m a d e f o o t o r t h o t i c s , b e c a u w a s r e a s o n a b l y s u p p o r t e d b y t h e e v i d e n c e a n d t h e r e c o n s i d e r a t i o n d e c i s i o n . E AA T 0 0 3 ( 1 0 / 0 6 / 0 1 )! A P P E A L # l d m e e t t h a t n e e d . A s a r e s u l t t h e p a n e l f i n d s e l l a n t i s n o t e l i g i b l e f o r a s u p p l e m e n t f o r a p a i r o f E A R e n i e d t h e a p p e l l a n t ' s r e q u e s t f o r a s u p p l e m e n t t o s e s h e d i d n o t m e e t t h e e l i g i b i l i t y r e q u i r e m e n t s , p a n e l , t h e r e f o r e , c o n f i r m s t h e m i n i s t r y ' s
You are being directed to the most recent version of the statute which may not be the version considered at the time of the judgment.