PART C -DECISION UNDER APPEAL The decision under appeal is the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction (the ministry) reconsideration decision dated October 30, 2018, which found that the appellant did not meet three of the five statutory requirements of Section 2 of the Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act for designation as a person with disabilities (PWD). The ministry found that the appellant met the age requirement and that the appellant's impairment is likely to continue for at least two years. However, the ministry was not satisfied that the evidence establishes that: • the appellant has a sever e physical or mental impairment; • the appellant's daily living activities (DLA) are, in the opinion of a prescribed professional, directly and significantly restricted either continuously or periodically for extended periods; and, • as a result of these restrictions, the appellant requires the significant help or supervision of another person, the use of an assistive device, or the services of an assistance animal to perform DLA. PART D -RELEVANT LEGISLATION Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act (EAPWDA), Section 2 Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Regulation (EAPWDR), Section 2
PART E-SUMMARY OF FACTS Information before the ministry at reconsideration A PWD application comprised of the appellant's Self-Report (SR) dated July 13, 2018, a Medical Report (MR) dated July 23, 2018 by the appellant's general practitioner (GP) who has seen the appellant 2-10 times in the past 12 months and an Assessor Report (AR) dated August 15, 2018 completed by a Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN) who has had only one appointment with the appellant. The appellant's Request for Reconsideration (RFR) dated October 18, 2018 Diagnoses In the MR, the appellant's GP identified the following specific diagnosis giving rise to the appellant's impairment; Osteoarthritis -ankles and hands with an onset of 2018, Depression and Anxiety Disorder both with an onset of 1999. Additional comments provided indicate that the appellant's osteoarthritis is a permanent condition and is likely to worsen over time. Anxiety and Depression -Cause some impairment of attention and short-term memory. In the AR where asked to describe the appellant's mental or physical impairments that impact her ability to manage daily living activities, the RPN wrote; severe depression started 1 O years ago -led to a drug addiction for 2 112 years, gained 100 lbs., worsening arthritis in hands and feet so can't work, and depressed and anxious. Physical Impairment Under Health History, the GP writes: Osteoarthritis -Unable to stand more than 2-3 hours, can walk slowly for 30 minutes on level ground, she has quite advanced arthritis in her hands-this restricts repetitive use and heavy lifting with her hands. In the MR, when asked if the appellant requires any prostheses or aids for her impairment, the GP reported "No". For functional skills, the GP reports that the appellant is able to walk 4+ blocks unaided on a flat surface, climb 5+ steps unaided, lift 5-15 lbs and remain seated without limitation. In the AR, the RPN describes the appellant as independent while walking indoors and standing (limited to 2 hours -max) and requiring periodic and continuous assistance from another person and taking significantly longer than typical for walking outdoors and climbing stairs (stiff in the morning, not alone-anxiety, no -when holding anything). For lifting and carrying and holding it was noted that she requires continuous assistance from another person and takes significantly longer than typical (arthritis in both hands and feet). The RPN comments that the arthritis in both ankles restricts walking to 3 blocks maximum due to pain -"Accompanied". "Requires help with laundry due to stairs." In her Self-Report, the appellant writes that she is not able to stand or work more than 3-4 hours without being in pain. She states that any work or activity, typing, writing etc. is pretty much the same. The appellant indicates that she is having problems with getting proper exercise so she is not gaining weight and that she has been going to the pool even while some things like kicking her feet cause pain. Mental Impairment In the MR, the GP indicates the appellant has no difficulties with communication. The GP identifies the following significant deficits with cognitive and emotional function; emotional disturbance and attention or sustained concentration. Comments made are; some problems with short term memory, chronic anxiety
a n d d e p r e s s i o n . I n t h e A R , t h e R P N n o t e s t h e a p p e l l a n t ' s g o o d a b i l i t y t o c ( a n x i e t y i n f r o n t o f p e o p l e ) w h i l e n o t i n g u n d e r h e a r i n g t h a W i t h r e s p e c t t o c o g n i t i v e a n d e m o t i o n a l f u n c t i o n i n g , t h e l a n g u a g e , p s y c h o t i c s y m p t o m s , o t h e r n e u r o p s y c h o l o g i c a f o r i n s i g h t a n d j u d g e m e n t , a t t e n t i o n , m e m o r y a n d m o t i v a e m o t i o n , m o t o r a c t i v i t y , i m p u l s e c o n t r o l , a n d o t h e r e m o t i o T h e a p p e l l a n t i s n o t e d t o h a v e g o o d f u n c t i o n i n g w i t h h e r f u n c t i o n i n g w i t h e x t e n d e d s o c i a l n e t w o r k s . C o m m e n t s p r o v i d e d a r e t h a t t h e a p p e l l a n t n e e d s f i n a n c i t o q u i t i n A p r i l 2 0 1 8 , s h e w a n t s t o g o t o a q u a f i t b u t c a n ' t p a i n f u l a n d t h a t s h e i s o b e s e . I n h e r S e l f R e p o r t , t h e a p p e l l a n t s t a t e s t h a t n o t b e i n g a b o n h e r d e p r e s s i o n a n d a n x i e t y . D a i l y L i v i n g A c t i v i t i e s I n t h e M R , t h e G P r e p o rt s t h a t t h e a p p e l l a n t h a s n o t b e e p e rf o r m D L A . T h e G P r e p o r t s t h a t t h e a p p e l l a n t i s i n d e p e n d e n t w i t h h e m a n a g e m e n t o f m e d i c a t i o n s , b a s i c h o u s e w o r k , d a i l y s h o f i n a n c e s . T h e a p p e l l a n t i s i n d i c a t e d a s c o n t i n u o u s l y r e s t r t r a n s p o r t a t i o n w i t h a d d i t i o n a l c o m m e n t s ; s h e c a n n o t w a l h e r s h o p p i n g a n d b u s u s e i s r e s t r i c t e d b e c a u s e o f a r t h r i t I n t h e A R , t h e R P N r e p o rt s t h e a p p e l l a n t ' s D L A u n d e r e a • P e r s o n a l c a r e ; d r e s s i n g , b a t h i n g , t o i l e t i n g , f e e d i n o n / o ff c h a i r a r e m a n a g e d i n d e p e n d e n t l y . W i t h g r t y p i c a l ( l a c k s i n t e r e s t ) . • B a s i c H o u s e k e e p i n g ; l a u n d r y a n d b a s i c h o u s e k e a n o t h e r p e r s o n ( s h e c a n ' t m a n a g e s t a i r s a n d l a c • S h o p p i n g ; c o n t i n u o u s a s s i s t a n c e f r o m a n o t h e r p ( t o o a n x i o u s t o g o a l o n e ) a n d c a r r y i n g p u r c h a s e t h e o t h e r a s p e c t s o f r e a d i n g p r i c e s a n d l a b e l s , m • M e a l s ; m e a l p l a n n i n g , f o o d p r e p a r a t i o n a n d c o o k ( r o o m m a t e a n d d a u g h t e r h e l p ) w h i l e s h e i s i n d e p • P a y R e n t a n d B i l l s ; b a n k i n g r e q u i r e s c o n t i n u o u s b u d g e t i n g a n d p a y r e n t a n d b i l l s i s i n d i c a t e d a s m • M e d i c a t i o n s ; f i l l i n g / r e f i l l i n g p r e s c r i p t i o n s , t a k i n g a m a n a g e d i n d e p e n d e n t l y ( m o m o r r o o m m a t e d r i v • T r a n s p o r t a t i o n ; g e t t i n g i n a n d o u t o f a v e h i c l e i s u s i n g t r a n s i t s c h e d u l e s a n d a r r a n g i n g t r a n s p o r t a • S o c i a l F u n c t i o n i n g ; a p p r o p r i a t e s o c i a l d e c i s i o n s , f a m i l y ) , i n t e r a c t s a p p r o p r i a t e l y w i t h o t h e r s a n d a v e r y a n x i o u s a n d d e p r e s s e d ) a r e m a n a g e d i n d e r e q u i r e s c o n t i n u o u s s u p p o r t/ s u p e r v i s i o n ( f e e l s u T h e R P N m a k e s a d d i t i o n a l c o m m e n t s t h a t t h e a p p e l l a n t c l e a n i n g , l a u n d r y , c o o k i n g a n d d i s h e s b e c a u s e o f t h e c o o m m u n i c a t e i n t h e a r e a s o f s p e a k i n g , r e a d i n g a n d w r i t i n g t s h e c a n b e c o m e f o r g e t f u l o f s o m e w o r d s w h e n a n x i o u s . R P N n o t e s n o o r m i n i m a l i m p a c t s f o r c o n s c i o u s n e s s , l p r o b l e m s a n d e x e c u t i v e . M o d e r a t e i m p a c t s w e r e n o t e d t i o n . M a j o r i m p a c t s w e r e i n d i c a t e d f o r b o d i l y f u n c t i o n s , n a l o r m e n t a l p r o b l e m s . i m m e d i a t e s o c i a l n e tw o r k ( s t i c k s t o f a m i l y ) a n d m a r g i n a l a l a s s i s t a n c e , s h e c a n n o l o n g e r w o r k a t j o b w h i c h s h e h a d a ff o r d i t a n d s h e w a n t s t o s t a y f i t b u t a r t h r i t i c f e e t a r e l e t o d o w h a t s h e i s u s e d t o d o i n g i s h a v i n g a n e g a t i v e t o l l n p r e s c r i b e d m e d i c a t i o n t h a t i n t e r f e r e s w i t h h e r a b i l i t y t o r a b i l i t y t o p e rf o r m p e r s o n a l s e l f c a r e , m e a l p r e p a r a t i o n , p p i n g , m o b i l i t y i n s i d e t h e h o m e a n d m a n a g e m e n t o f i c t e d w i t h m o b i l i t y o u t s i d e t h e h o m e a n d u s e o f k f a r w i t h g r o c e r i e s , s h e d o e s n o t d r i v e , h e r m o t h e r t a k e s i s i n h e r a n k l e . c h a r e a a s fo l l o w s : g s e l f , r e g u l a t i n g d i e t , t r a n s f e r s i n / o u t o f b e d a n d t r a n s f e r s o o m i n g , i t i s i n d i c a t e d a s t a k i n g s i g n i f i c a n t l y l o n g e r t h a n e p i n g a r e n o t e d t o r e q u i r e c o n t i n u o u s a s s i s t a n c e f r o m k s m o t i v a t i o n ) . e r s o n o r u n a b l e i s i n d i c a t e d f o r g o i n g t o a n d f r o m s t o r e s s h o m e ( n e e d s h e l p ) w h i l e s h e i s n o t e d a s i n d e p e n d e n t i n a k i n g a p p r o p r i a t e c h o i c e s a n d p a y i n g fo r p u r c h a s e s . i n g r e q u i r e p e r i o d i c a s s i s t a n c e f r o m a n o t h e r p e r s o n e n d e n t w i t h t h e s a f e s t o r a g e o f f o o d . a s s i s t a n c e ( m o m d r i v e s h e r , p h o n e i s c u t o ff ) , w h i l e a n a g e d i n d e p e n d e n t l y . s d i r e c t e d a n d s a f e h a n d l i n g a n d s t o r a g e a r e i n d i c a t e d a s e ) . m a n a g e d i n d e p e n d e n t l y , w h i l e u s i n g p u b l i c t r a n s i t a n d t i o n i s n o t e d a s ' N O t o o p a i n f u l ' . a b l e t o d e v e l o p a n d m a i n t a i n r e l a t i o n s h i p s ( s t i c k s t o b l e t o d e a l a p p r o p r i a t e l y w i t h u n e x p e c t e d d e m a n d s ( g e t s p e n d e n t l y , w h i l e a b l e t o s e c u r e a s s i s t a n c e f r o m o t h e r s s e l e s s ) . r e q u i r e s c o n s t a n t h e l p w i t h g r o c e r y s h o p p i n g , h o u s e m b i n a t i o n o f d e p r e s s i o n a n d a n x i e t y a n d w o r s e n i n g
arthritis in hands and feet. The appellant needs financial assistance as she can no longer work at job which she had to quit in April 2018. In her Self-Report, the appellant writes that she is able to look after herself on a day to day basis at home. Assistance Required In the MR under; "Does the applicant require any prostheses or aids for her impairment?" The GP indicates, "No". The AR indicates that help is provided by family. Notice of Appeal In her Notice of Appeal dated November 2, 2018, the appellant writes that she is having a hard time understanding how she is expected to hold down any type of job when she is unable to work on her feet or with her hands for any prolonged period of time. The appellant states that she works in retail which requires 100% on her job on her feet and is unable to work 32-40 hours a week. She states that she can barely work 2-4 hour shifts and not working is not her choice. Hearing Appellant The appellant testified that she found the appeal process and documentation overwhelming and that she didn't have a social worker to help her. She stated that her doctor set her up to fail and that he told her she wouldn't qualify for PWD designation. She states that she has been clean for 8 years and had just got back into the work force. Working has given her a new lease on life and something she was proud about which doesn't come easy to her. The appellant's former boss and friend indicated that she has known the appellant for about 3 years and while noting an age difference stated that the job was physically demanding and that she noticed the progression of arthritis when the appellant started using her arms instead of hands to lift units of clothing. It was further stated that the appellant was a good employee who always did her best and never complained and who wants to continue to work. In response to a questions by the panel, the appellant indicated that she had the same doctor for 30 years and that after being disappointed by her doctor who is about to retire, she had gone to a walk in clinic where the doctor ordered x-rays. The appellant also indicated that as a result of her worsening physical impairments, her anxiety and depression are being effected. Ministry The ministry stood by their reconsideration decision. The ministry recognized that the appellant had arthritic issues but stated that inconsistencies of the appellant's condition between the report prepared by the appellants GP and that of the assessor report prepared by the RN prevented the ministry to conclude that the appellant had met the criteria laid out in legislation and the Act.
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 i n t h i s a p p e a l i s w h e t h e r t h e m i n i s t ry r e c o n s i d e r a t i o n d e c i s i o n t h a t 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 d i d n o t m e e t t h r e e o f t h e fi v e s t a t u t o r y r e q u i r e m e n t s o f S e c t i o n 2 o f t h e E A P W D A f o r d e s i g n a t i o n a s a p e r s o n w i t h d i s a b i l i t i e s i 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 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 l e g i s l a t i o n i n t h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s o f t h e a p p e l l a n t . T h e m i n i s t ry f o u n d t h a t t h e a p p e l l a n t m e t t h e a g e r e q u i r e m e n t a n d t h a t t h e a p p e l l a n t ' s i m p a i r m e n t i s l i k e l y t o c o n t i n u e f o r a t l e a s t t w o y e a r s . H o w e v e r , t h e m i n i s t r y w a s n o t s a t i s f i e d t h a t t h e e v i d e n c e e s t a b l i s h e s t h a t : • t h e a p p e l l a n t h a s a s e v e r e p h y s i c a l o r m e n t a l i m p a i r m e n t ; • t h e a p p e l l a n t ' s D L A a r e , i n t h e o p i n i o n o f a p r e s c r i b e d p r o f e s s i o n a l , d i r e c t l y a n d s i g n i f i c a n t l y r e s t r i c t e d e i t h e r c o n t i n u o u s l y o r p e r i o d i c a l l y f o r e x t e n d e d p e r i o d s ; a n d , • a s a r e s u l t o f t h e s e r e s t r i c t i o n s , t h e a p p e l l a n t r e q u i r e s t h e s i g n i f i c a n t h e l p o r s u p e rv i s i o n o f a n o t h e r p e r s o n , t h e u s e o f a n a s s i s t i v e d e v i c e , o r t h e s e rv i c e s o f a n a s s i s t a n c e a n i m a l t o p e r f o r m D L A . T h e f o l l o w i n g S e c t i o n s o f t h e E A P W D A a p p l y t o t h i s a p p e a l : 2 ( 1 ) I n t h i s s e c t i o n : " a s s i s t i v e d e v i c e " m e a n s a d e v i c e d e s i g n e d t o e n a b l e a p e r s o n t o p e rf o r m a d a i l y l i v i n g a c t i v i t y t h a t , b e c a u s e o f a s e v e r e m e n t a l o r p h y s i c a l i m p a i r m e n t , t h e p e r s o n i s u n a b l e t o p e r f o r m ; " d a i l y l i v i n g a c t i v i t y " h a s t h e p r e s c r i b e d m e a n i n g ; " p r e s c r i b e d p r o f e s s i o n a l " h a s t h e p r e s c r i b e d m e a n i n g . ( 2 ) T h e m i n i s t e r m a y d e s i g n a t e a p e r s o n w h o h a s r e a c h e d 1 8 y e a r s o f a g e a s a p e r s o n w i t h d i s a b i l i t i e s f o r t h e p u r p o s e s o f t h i s A c t i f t h e m i n i s t e r i s s a t i s f i e d t h a t t h e p e r s o n i s i n a p r e s c r i b e d c l a s s o f p e r s o n s o r t h a t t h e p e r s o n h a s a s e v e r e m e n t a l o r p h y s i c a l i m p a i r m e n t t h a t ( a ) i n t h e o p i n i o n o f a m e d i c a l p r a c t i t i o n e r i s l i k e l y t o c o n t i n u e f o r a t l e a s t 2 y e a r s , a n d ( b ) i n t h e o p i n i o n o f a p r e s c r i b e d p r o f e s s i o n a l ( i ) d i r e c t l y a n d s i g n i f i c a n t l y r e s t r i c t s t h e p e r s o n ' s a b i l i t y t o p e r f o r m d a i l y l i v i n g a c t i v i t i e s e i t h e r { A ) c o n t i n u o u s l y , o r ( B ) p e r i o d i c a l l y f o r e x t e n d e d p e r i o d s , a n d ( i i ) a s a r e s u l t o f t h o s e r e s t r i c t i o n s , t h e p e r s o n r e q u i r e s h e l p t o p e rf o r m t h o s e a c t i v i t i e s . ( 3 ) F o r t h e p u r p o s e s o f s u b s e c t i o n ( 2 ) , ( a ) a p e r s o n w h o h a s a s e v e r e m e n t a l i m p a i r m e n t i n c l u d e s a p e r s o n w i t h a m e n t a l d i s o r d e r , a n d ( b ) a p e r s o n r e q u i r e s h e l p i n r e l a t i o n t o a d a i l y l i v i n g a c t i v i t y i f , i n o r d e r t o p e r f o r m i t , t h e p e r s o n r e q u i r e s ( i ) a n a s s i s t i v e d e v i c e , ( i i ) t h e s i g n i f i c a n t h e l p o r s u p e r v i s i o n o f a n o t h e r p e r s o n , o r ( i i i ) t h e s e rv i c e s o f a n a s s i s t a n c e a n i m a l . T h e f o l l o w i n g S e c t i o n o f t h e E A P W D R a p p l i e s t o t h i s a p p e a l : 2 ( 1 ) F o r t h e p u r p o s e s o f t h e A c t a n d t h i s r e g u l a t i o n , " d a i l y l i v i n g a c t i v i t i e s " , ( a ) i n r e l a t i o n t o a p e r s o n w h o h a s a s e v e r e p h y s i c a l i m p a i r m e n t o r a s e v e r e m e n t a l i m p a i r m e n t , m e a n s t h e f o l l o w i n g a c t i v i t i e s : ( i ) p r e p a r e o w n m e a l s ; ( i i ) m a n a g e p e r s o n a l f i n a n c e s ; ( i i i ) s h o p f o r p e r s o n a l n e e d s ; ( i v ) u s e p u b l i c o r p e r s o n a l t r a n s p o rt a t i o n f a c i l i t i e s ; ( v ) p e r f o r m h o u s e w o r k t o m a i n t a i n t h e p e r s o n ' s p l a c e o f r e s i d e n c e i n a c c e p t a b l e s a n i t a r y c o n d i t i o n ; ( v i ) m o v e a b o u t i n d o o r s a n d o u t d o o r s ; ( v i i ) p e r f o r m p e r s o n a l h y g i e n e a n d s e l f c a r e ; ( v i i i ) m a n a g e p e r s o n a l m e d i c a t i o n , a n d ( b ) i n r e l a t i o n t o a p e r s o n w h o h a s a s e v e r e m e n t a l i m p a i r m e n t , i n c l u d e s t h e fo l l o w i n g a c t i v i t i e s : I i \ m a k e d e c i s i o n s a b o u t p e r s o n a l a c t i v i t i e s , c a r e o r f i n a n c e s ;
(ii) relate to, communicate or interact with others effectively. (2) For the purposes of the Act, "prescribed professional" means a person who is (a) authorized under an enactment to p ractise the profession of (i) medical practitioner, (ii) registered psychologist, (iii) registered nurse or registered psychiatric nurse, (iv) occupational therapist, (v) physical therapist, (vi) social worker, (vii) chiropractor, or (viii) nurse practitioner, or (b)acting in the course of the person's employment as a school psychologist by (i) an authority, as that term is defined in section 1 (1) of the Independent School Act, or (ii) a board or a francophone education authority, as those terms are defined in section 1 (1) of the School Act, if qualifications in psychology are a condition of such employment. Severe Impairment In the reconsideration decision, the ministry was not satisfied that the information provided is evidence of a severe physical or mental impairment. Determining a severe physical or mental impairment requires weighing the evidence provided against the nature of the impairment and its reported functional skill limitations. A diagnosis of a serious medical condition does not in itself determine PWD eligibility or establish a severe impairment. "Impairment" is a medical condition that results in restrictions to a person's ability to function independently or effectively. To assess the severity of impairment, the ministry must consider the nature of the impairment and the extent of its impact on daily functioning as evidenced by limitations/restrictions and their duration on physical functioning, mental functioning, ability to perform DLA, and help required with DLA. Severity of Physical Impairment The appellant's position is that she is not able to stand or work more than 3-4 hours without being in pain. She states that any work or activity, typing, writing etc. is pretty much the same. The ministry notes that the GP reports that the appellant is able to walk up to 4 blocks although the RPN states that she is restricted to walking up to 3 blocks. Regardless, the ministry determines that the ability to walk up to 3 blocks is not considered indicative of a severe physical impairment. The ministry also notes that the RPN indicates that the appellant requires "periodic to continuous" assistance from another person with climbing stairs while the GP indicates that the appellant can climb 5+ stairs unaided. The ministry further notes the ability to stand for up to 2 hours as indicated by the RPN is not indicative of a severe impairment of physical functioning. It is also noted that although the RPN indicates that the appellant requires continuous assistance with lifting and carrying/holding, she does not describe how much longer than typical the appellant takes with walking outdoors, climbing stairs, lifting or carrying/holding. Based on the assessments provided by the GP and the RPN as well as the appellant's self-report, the ministry has determined that a severe impairment of physical functioning has not been established. The legislation requires that the minister be "satisfied" that the person's impairment is severe. The panel therefore finds that the ministry was reasonable in relying on the independent and professional opinion of the GP who has known the appellant for over 30 years. The panel notes that for the purposes of determining eligibility for PWD designation, an applicant's employability or ability to work is not taken into consideration. While the panel acknowledges that the appellant has some physical limitations, she is also reported to be able to walk up to 3 blocks, climb 5 stairs with "periodic to continuous" assistance from another person and stand for up to 2 hours. The panel finds that the appellant's physical limitations as described bv both the annellant's GP and the RPN are not of a severe nature as reauired by the leoislation. The
panel concludes that the ministry was reasonable to determine that the assessments provided by the prescribed professionals of current physical functioning do not reflect a severe physical impairment. Therefore, the panel finds that the ministry was reasonable in its determination that the evidence does not establish a finding that the appellant suffers from a severe physical impairment pursuant to Section 2(2) of the EAPWDA. Severity of Mental Impairment The appellant's position is not being able to do what she is used to doing is having a negative toll on her depression and anxiety. The ministry notes that the GP indicates that the appellant's anxiety and depression cause some impairment of attention and short-term memory without describing the severity of impacts to memory. The GP also indicates significant deficits with cognitive and emotional functioning in the areas of emotional disturbance and attention/sustained concentration. The RPN reports that that the appellant has major or moderate impacts to cognitive and emotional functioning in the areas of impulse control, motor activity, memory and motivation while the GP does not indicate significant deficits to these areas. Based on the assessments provided by the GP and the RPN as well as the appellant's self- report, the ministry has determined that a severe impairment of mental functioning has not been established. The panel notes that for DLA that are specific to a mental impairment under Section 2(1)(b) of the EAPWDR, such as making decisions about personal activities, care or finances and relating to, communicating or interacting with others, the medical and assessor's reports do not mention any restrictions in terms of decision making and social functioning. Subsequently, the panel does not have a clear understanding from the information provided as to how the appellant's medical conditions would constitute a severe mental impairment that impacts her daily cognitive and emotional functioning given that she is independent in almost all of her daily living activities. The panel therefore finds that the ministry reasonably determined that the assessments provided by the prescribed professionals do not establish a severe mental impairment pursuant to Section 2(2) of the EAPWDA. Restrictions in the Ability to Perform DLA The appellant's position is she requires constant assistance for basic housekeeping, shopping and lifting as well carrying and holding items due to the arthritis in her hands. She argues that her osteoarthritis is getting worse and most activities cause her pain. The ministry notes that the appellant's GP reports that she is independent with the majority of listed areas of daily living activities while the RPN indicates restrictions to areas of personal care, basic housekeeping, shopping, meals, paying rent and bills and medications. The ministry also notes that the RPN does not describe the frequency of periodic assistance needed with meals or how much longer than typical the appellant takes with grooming. Although the appellant's GP indicates that she is not restricted with social functioning the RPN indicates that continuous support is required in the area of being able to secure assistance from others because the appellant feels useless. Based on the assessments provided by the GP and the RPN as well as the appellant's self- report, the ministry finds that there is not enough evidence to confirm that the appellant has a severe impairment that directly and significantly restricts her ability to perform the daily living activities continuously or periodically for extended periods. Therefore, the legislative criteria have not been met. The panel notes that, according to the legislation, the direct and significant restriction in the ability to perform DLA must be the result of a severe impairment, a criterion not established in this appeal. The legislation under Section 2(2)(b)(i) of the EAPWDA requires the minister to assess severity considering the opinion of a prescribed professional, in this case both the GP and RPN as to direct and significant restrictions. This does not mean that other evidence should not be factored in as required to provide explanation of the professional evidence, but the legislative language is clear that a prescribed professional's evidence is fundamental to the ministry's determination whether it is "satisfied." And for the minister to be "satisfied," it is reasonable for the ministry to expect that a nrescribed nrofessional nrovides a clear picture of the extent to which the abilitv to nerform DLA is restricted, as
a s s e s s e d i n t e r m s o f t h e n a t u r e a n d d u r a t i o n o f h e l p r e q r e s t r i c t i o n s a r e " s i g n i f i c a n t . " A s t h e a p p e l l a n t i s r e p o r t e d a s a b l e t o i n d e p e n d e n t l y m a a d m i tt e d i n h e r s e l f r e p o r t t h a t s h e i s a b l e t o l o o k a f t e r h d i ff i c u l t t o a s s e s s w h e t h e r t h e a p p e l l a n t ' s c o n d i t i o n d i r e c W h i l e t h e p a n e l a c k n o w l e d g e s t h a t t h e a p p e l l a n t h a s o s t i n f o r m a t i o n f r o m a m e d i c a l p r o f e s s i o n a l o n t h e f r e q u e n c y 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 d i r e c t a n d s i g n i f h a v e n o t b e e n e s t a b l i s h e d . 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 r y r e a s o n a b l y d e t e r m i n e d p r o f e s s i o n a l s t o s h o w t h a t t h e a p p e l l a n t ' s o v e r a l l a b i l i t y t c o n t i n u o u s l y o r p e r i o d i c a l l y fo r e x t e n d e d p e r i o d s . T h e r e f S e c t i o n 2 ( 2 ) ( b ) ( i ) o f t h e E A P W D A w a s n o t e s t a b l i s h e d b y H e l p R e q u i r e d 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 h e l p i s p r o v i d e d b y f a m i l y T h e m i n i s t r y h a s d e t e r m i n e d t h a t a s i t h a s n o t b e e n e s t a p e r i o d i c a l l y f o r e x t e n d e d p e r i o d s , i t t h e r e f o r e c a n n o t b e d p e r s o n s . S e c t i o n 2 ( 2 ) ( b ) ( i i ) o f t h e E A P W D A r e q u i r e s t h a t , a s a r e p e rf o r m D L A , a p e r s o n r e q u i r e s h e l p t o p e rf o r m t h o s e a c r e q u i r e m e n t f o r a n a s s i s t i v e d e v i c e , t h e s i g n i f i c a n t h e l p o a s s i s t a n c e a n i m a l i n o r d e r t o p e r f o r m a D L A . B a s e d o n t h e e v i d e n c e , 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 r y r e s t r i c t i o n s i n t h e a p p e l l a n t ' s a b i l i t y t o p e rf o r m D L A h a v e a p p e l l a n t r e q u i r e s h e l p t o p e rf o r m D L A a s a r e s u l t o f t h o E A P W D A . 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 r y ' s r e c o n s i d e r a t i o n d e c i s i P W D d e s i g n a t i o n u n d e r S e c t i o n 2 o f t h e E A P W D A , w a s 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 l e g i s l a t i o n , a n d t h e r e f o r e c o n o t s u c c e s s f u l .u i r e d , i n o r d e r f o r t h e m i n i s t r y t o d e t e r m i n e w h e t h e r t h e n a g e t h e m a j o r i t y o f t a s k s o f d a i l y l i v i n g a c t i v i t i e s , a n d h a s e r s e l f o n a d a y t o d a y b a s i s a t h o m e ; t h e p a n e l f i n d s i t t l y a n d s i g n i f i c a n t l y r e s t r i c t s h e r a b i l i t y . e o a rt h r i t i s i n h e r h a n d s a n d f e e t p a i n , w i t h o u t m o r e , d u r a t i o n , a n d n a t u r e o f h e l p r e q u i r e d , t h e p a n e l f i n d s t h a t i c a n t r e s t r i c t i o n s i n t h e a p p e l l a n t ' s a b i l i t y t o p e rf o r m D L A t h a t t h e r e i s i n s u f f i c i e n t e v i d e n c e f r o m t h e p r e s c r i b e d o p e rf o r m h e r D L A i s s i g n i f i c a n t l y r e s t r i c t e d e i t h e r o r e , t h e p a n e l f i n d s t h a t t h a t t h e r e q u i r e m e n t p u r s u a n t t o t h e e v i d e n c e . . b l i s h e d t h a t D L A a r e s i g n i f i c a n t l y r e s t r i c t e d c o n t i n u o u s l y o r e t e r m i n e d t h a t s i g n i f i c a n t h e l p i s r e q u i r e d f r o m o t h e r s u l t o f d i r e c t a n d s i g n i f i c a n t r e s t r i c t i o n s i n t h e a b i l i t y t o t i v i t i e s . H e l p i s d e f i n e d i n s u b s e c t i o n ( 3 ) a s t h e r s u p e r v i s i o n o f a n o t h e r p e r s o n , o r t h e s e rv i c e s o f a n r e a s o n a b l y d e t e r m i n e d t h a t a s d i r e c t a n d s i g n i f i c a n t n o t b e e n e s t a b l i s h e d , i t c a n n o t b e d e t e r m i n e d t h a t t h e s e r e s t r i c t i o n s , a s d e f i n e d b y S e c t i o n 2 ( 3 ) { b ) o f t h e o n , w h i c h 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 w a s n o t e l i g i b l e f o r 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 a t t h i s w a s a n f i r m s t h e d e c i s i o n . T h e a p p e l l a n t ' s a p p e a l , t h e r e fo r e , i s
I P A R T G O R D E R T H E P A N E L D E C I S I O N I S : ( C h e c k o n e ) [g] U N A N I M O U S O B Y M A J O R I T Y T H E P A N E L [g] C O N F I R M S T H E M I N I S T R Y D E C I S I O N □ R E S C I N D S T H E M I N I S T R Y D E C I S I O N I f t h e m i n i s t r y d e c i s i o n i s r e s c i n d e d , i s t h e p a n e l d e c i s i o n r e f e r r e d b a c k t o t h e M i n i s t e r f o r a d e c i s i o n a s t o a m o u n t ? □ Y e s □ N o L E G I S L A T I V E A U T H O R I T Y F O R T H E D E C I S I O N : E m p l o y m e n t a n d A s s i s t a n c e A c t S e c t i o n 2 4 ( 1 ) ( a ) [gJ o r S e c t i o n 2 4 ( 1 ) ( b ) D a n d S e c t i o n 2 4 ( 2 ) ( a ) [gJ o r S e c t i o n 2 4 ( 2 ) ( b ) D P A R T H S I G N A T U R E S P R I N T N A M E L y n n T w a r d o s k y S I G N A T U R E O F C H A I R D A T E ( Y E A R/ M O N T H/ D A Y J 2 0 1 8 / N O V / 2 8 P R I N T N A M E L o w e l l J o h n s o n S I G N A T U R E O F M E M B E R D A T E ( Y E A R/ M O N T H / D A Y ) .::..J -=- '1...--- � 2 0 1 8 / N O V / 2 8 {__c, c,e., .e-e.-e.- P R I N T N A M E D o n a l d S t e d e fo r d S I G N A T U R E O F M E M B E R D A T E ( Y E A R / M O N T H / D A Y ) 2 0 1 8 / N O V / 2 8 E AA T 00 3 ( 1 7 / 0 8/ 1 7 ) 1 0
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.