P A R T C D E C I S I O N U N D E R A P P E A L T h e d e c i s i o n u n d e r a p p e a l i s t h e M i n i s t r y o f S o c i a l r e c o n s i d e r a t i o n d e c i s i o n d a t e d J a n u a r y 2 2 , 2 0 1 9 w a s s i s t a n c e p u r s u a n t t o S e c t i o n 1 0 o f t h e E m p l o y m e r e q u e s t e d i n f o r m a t i o n n e c e s s a r y t o d e t e r m i n e e l i g A s s i s t a n c e R e g u l a t i o n . P A R T D R E L E V A N T L E G I S L A T 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 ( E A A } , S e c t i o n 1 0 E m p l o y m e n t a n d A s s i s t a n c e R e g u l a t i o n ( E A R } , S e c t i D e v e l o p m e n t a n d S o c i a l I n n o v a t i o n ( t h e m i n i s t r y } h i c h f o u n d t h a t t h e a p p e l l a n t w o u l d b e d e n i e d n t a n d A s s i s t a n c e A c t a s s h e f a i l e d t o p r o v i d e a l l t h e i b i l i t y a s s e t o u t i n S e c t i o n 3 2 o f t h e E m p l o y m e n t a n d o n 3 2
P A R T E S U M M A R Y O F F A C T S T h e a p p e l l a n t r e q u e s t e d a n a d j o u r n m e n t a t t h e b e m a k i n g t h e a d j o u r n m e n t d e c i s i o n w a s s h a r e d , t h e T h e a p p e l l a n t h a s b e e n i n r e c e i p t o f i n c o m e a s s i s t a c h i l d . S h e h a s b e e n i n r e c e i p t o f a s s i s t a n c e s i n c e D e S u m m a r y o f k e y d a t e s • A u g u s t 2 8 , 2 0 1 8 o T h e a p p e l l a n t w a s i n f o r m e d b y t h e m r e q u e s t e d t o s u b m i t d o c u m e n t s r e l a d o c u m e n t s i n t e r m s o f a s p o u s e a n d • S e p t e m b e r 2 0 , 2 0 1 8 o A s e c o n d r e q u e s t f o r t h e i n fo r m a t i o n N o v e m b e r a s s i s t a n c e c h e q u e w o u l d • O c t o b e r 1 2 , 2 0 1 8 o T h e a p p e l l a n t s u p p l i e d i n f o r m a t i o n i m i n i s t r y r e l e a s e d t h e s i g n a l f r o m t h e • O c t o b e r 1 6 , 2 0 1 8 o T h e m i n i s t r y s p o k e t o t h e a p p e l l a n t • N o v e m b e r 1 , 2 0 1 8 D e c e m b e r 3 , 2 0 1 8 o T h e a p p e l l a n t s p o k e t o a m i n i s t r y w o t h a t s h e h a s a c h i l d b o r n i n 2 0 1 7 w h o T h e m i n i s t r y s e n t a t h i r d l e t t e r a d v i s i n f o r m a t i o n r e q u e s t e d a n d m o r e . o D o c u m e n t s r e q u e s t e d w e r e r e l a t e d a c c o u n t s , i n c o m e t a x n o t i c e o f a s s e s b e n e f i t s a n d c o n f i r m a t i o n o f t h e s t a • D e c e m b e r 1 2 , 2 0 1 8 o T h e m i n i s t r y a d v i s e d t h e a p p e l l a n t s t o p r o v i d e t h e i n f o r m a t i o n r e q u e s t e • D e c e m b e r 1 6 , 2 0 1 8 o T h e a p p e l l a n t s u b m i t t e d a B a n k P r o f • D e c e m b e r 2 0 , 2 0 1 8 o T h e a p p e l l a n t s u b m i t t e d a R e q u e s t f o D o c u m e n t s i n c l u d e d i n t h e r e q u e s t w o f t h e M V A a n d a b i r t h c e r t i f i c a t e o f o T h e a p p e l l a n t r e q u e s t e d a n d r e c e i v e o T h e m i n i s t r y e x t e n d e d t h e r e c o n s i d e t i m e fo r t h e a d d i t i o n a l i n f o r m a t i o n . • J a n u a r y 1 8 , 2 0 1 9 o T h e a p p e l l a n t a d v i s e d t h e m i n i s t r y s h u s b a n d .g i n n i n g o f t h e h e a r i n g . W h e n t h e p r o c e d u r e f o r a p p e l l a n t w i t h d r e w h e r r e q u e s t . n c e a s a s o l e r e c i p i e n t w i t h a 3 y e a r o l d d e p e n d e n t c e m b e r 2 0 1 4 . i n i s t r y h e r f i l e w a s u n d e r r e v i e w a n d s h e w a s t e d t o r e n t , b a n k a c c o u n t s , i n v e s t m e n t s , a n d / o r d e p e n d e n t s . w a s m a d e b y t h e m i n i s t r y . T h e a p p e l l a n t ' s b e h e l d u n t i l t h e i n f o r m a t i o n h a d b e e n p r o v i d e d . n r e g a r d s t o r e n t , a s w e l l a s a b a n k s t a t e m e n t . T h e a p p e l l a n t ' s N o v e m b e r a s s i s t a n c e . a d v i s i n g h e r a B a n k P r o f i l e w a s s t i l l r e q u i r e d . r k e r l e t t i n g t h e m k n o w s h e w a s m a r r i e d i n 2 0 1 1 a n d o i s n o t o n f i l e . i n g t h e a p p e l l a n t s h e w a s r e q u i r e d t o p r o v i d e a l l t h e t o t h e a p p e l l a n t ' s h u s b a n d , s e c o n d c h i l d , b a n k s m e n t , t a x s l i p s , l e a s e a g r e e m e n t , c o n f i r m a t i o n o f E l t u s o f a s e t t l e m e n t f o r a M V A . h e n o l o n g e r w a s e l i g i b l e f o r a s s i s t a n c e d u e t o f a i l i n g d . i l e . o r R e c o n s i d e r a t i o n . e r e a l e t t e r f r o m t h e a p p e l l a n t ' s s l a w y e r s i n t e r m s h e r s e c o n d c h i l d . d a n a p p e a l s u p p l e m e n t f o r D e c e m b e r a n d J a n u a r y . r a t i o n d e c i s i o n d e a d l i n e t o J a n u a r y 2 2 , 2 0 1 9 t o a l l o w h e w a s u n a b l e t o s u p p l y d o c u m e n t s i n t e r m s o f h e r
• January 22, 2019 o The ministry contacted the appellant leaving a voice message advising her of the deadline for the inf o rmation required. The appellant returned the call and stated she had requested the tax and El information and that it was being mailed. She also informed the ministry she could not supply the information about her spouse. Information before the ministry at reconsideration: • Request for Reconsideration dated December 20, 2018 which contained: o Appellant's Reason for request for reconsideration stated: • Reconsideration be given as additional information was attached. • The rest of the inf o rmation would be handed in very soon. • She has not been well and has been unable to hand documents in. • She does not have all the documents but she will get them. • She needs the assistance as it is her only income, she has two kids, and it's very hard for her. ■ A letter from the appellant's lawyers dated November 23, 2018 which stated in regards to a motor vehicle accident 2014, the appellant's claim was dismissed 2017 and she did not receive a settlement or any proceeds as a result of the claim. The appellant's claim is now closed. • Birth Certificate of the appellant's son which notes her son's birth date is 2017 Additional Information • In the Notice of Appeal dated January 21, 2019 the appellant stated: o She is still waiting for mailed documents to arrive. o She needs the assistance to care for her two kids as she has no income. • Faxed Submission by the appellant dated February 19, 2019 which included: o Page 2 of Tax assessments for 2015, 2016, 2017. • At the hearing the appellant stated: o She is trying her best to produce all required documents. o She is trying to obtain her El information. o As far as her rent, she pays her father and has nothing to do with the landlord and doesn't know the details of her father's rental agreement with the landlord. o Tax forms such as T4s have been thrown away. • At the hearing the ministry stated: o The appellant has outstanding documentation which is required to allow the ministry to determine if she is eligible f o r income assistance. o The ministry representative offered the appellant advice in terms of satisfying the ministry's requests f o r outstanding documentation. Admissibility of New Information
S e c t i o n 2 2 ( 4 ) 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 A c e v i d e n c e o n l y " t h e i n f o r m a t i o n a n d r e c o r d s t h a t w e a p p e a l e d w a s m a d e " a n d " o r a l o r w r i t t e n t e s t i m o n t h e a d d i t i o n a l e v i d e n c e s u b s t a n t i a t e s o r c o r r o b o r a t a t t h e r e c o n s i d e r a t i o n s t a g e , t h e e v i d e n c e s h o u l d b t e s t o f a d m i s s i b i l i t y u n d e r s . 2 2 ( 4 ) ( b ) o f t h e E m p l o y W h e n a s k e d i f t h e m i n i s t r y o b j e c t e d t h e a c c e p t a n c e o b j e c t e d t h e a c c e p t a n c e o f t h e d o c u m e n t s a s e v i d e a s s e s s m e n t s w e r e m i s s i n g p a g e o n e w h i c h c o n t a i n s 2 0 1 5 d i d n o t h a v e a d e q u a t e t i m e l i n e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n ( T h e p a n e l c o n s i d e r s t h e t h r e e t a x a s s e s s m e n t d o c u t h e i n f o r m a t i o n a n d r e c o r d s b e f o r e t h e m i n i s t e r a t d o c u m e n t a t i o n r e q u e s t e d . H o w e v e r , t h e w e i g h t o f i n c o m p l e t e ( p a g e o n e o f e a c h a s s e s s m e n t w a s m i s s w r i t t e n .t s t a t e s t h a t t h e p a n e l i s e m p o w e r e d t o a d m i t a s r e b e f o r e t h e m i n i s t e r w h e n t h e d e c i s i o n b e i n g y i n s u p p o rt o f ' t h e r e c o r d o f t h e m i n i s t r y d e c i s i o n . I f e s t h e i n f o r m a t i o n a n d r e c o r d s b e fo r e t h e m i n i s t e r e a d m i t t e d ; i f i t d o e s n o t , t h e n i t d o e s n o t m e e t t h e m e n t a n d A s s is t a n c e A c t a n d s h o u l d n o t b e a d m i t t e d . o f t h e a d d i t i o n a l e v i d e n c e , t h e m i n i s t r y s t a t e d t h e y n c e a s t h e y w e r e i n c o m p l e t e , a l l t h r e e t a x i m p o r t a n t i n f o r m a t i o n a n d t h e t a x a s s e s s m e n t o f d a t e w a s h a n d w r i t t e n ) . m e n t s a s a d m i s s i b l e a s t h e d o c u m e n t s s u b s t a n t i a t e s t h e r e c o n s i d e r a t i o n s t a g e i n t e r m s o f t a x a n d i n c o m e t h i s e v i d e n c e i s m i n i m a l a s t h e d o c u m e n t a t i o n w a s i n g ) a n d t h e d a t e o f t h e 2 0 1 5 a s s e s s m e n t w a s h a n d
I PART F -REASONS FOR PANEL DECISION The issue under appeal is whether the ministry's reconsideration decision dated January 22, 2019 which found that the appellant is not eligible for assistance pursuant to Section 10 of the EAA because she failed to provide all the requested information necessary to determine eligibility as set out in Section 32 of the EAR was reasonably supported by the evidence or a reasonable application of the applicable legislation in the circumstances of the appellant. Relevant Legislation: Employment and Assistance Act Information and verification 10 (]) For the purposes of (a)detennining whether a person wanting to apply for income assistance or hardship assistance is eligible to apply for it, (b)detennining or auditing eligibility for income assistance, hardship assistance or a supplement, (c ) assessing employability and skills for the purposes of an employment plan, or (d )assessing compliance with the conditions of an employment plan, the minister may do one or more of the following: (e)direct a person referred to in paragraph (a), an applicant or a recipient to supply the minister with information within the time and in the manner specified by the minister; (f)seek verification of any information supplied to the minister by a person referred to in paragraph (a), an applicant or a recipient; (g)direct a person referred to in paragraph (a), an applicant or a recipient to supply verification of any information he or she supplied to the minister. (2)The minister may direct an applicant or a recipient to supply verification of infonnation received by the minister if that information relates to the eligibility of the family unit for income assistance, hardship assistance or a supplement. (3)Subsection (I) (e) to (g) applies with respect to a dependent youth for a purpose referred to in subsection (I) (c) or (d). (4 )If an applicant or a recipient fails to comply with a direction under this section, the minister may declare the family unit ineligible for income assistance, hardship assistance or a supplement for the prescribed period. (5)If a dependent youth fails to comply with a direction under this section, the minister may reduce the amount of income assistance or hardship assistance provided to or for the family unit by the prescribed amount for the prescribed period. Employment and Assistance Regulation Division 3-Factors Related to Providing Infonnation and Verification Consequences of failing to provide information or verification when directed 32 (I) For the purposes of section IO (4 ) [information and verification] of the Act, the period for which the minister may declare the family unit ineligible for assistance lasts until the applicant or recipient complies with the direction. (2)For the purposes of section 10 (5) [information and verification] of the Act, (a)the amount by which the minister may reduce the income assistance or hardship assistance of the dependent youth's family unit is $ I 00 for each calendar month, and (b) the period for which the minister may reduce the income assistance or hardship assistance of the dependent youth's family unit lasts until the dependent youth complies with the direction. Ministry's Position Based on the information provided the ministry determined the appellant was ineligible for income assistance due to failing to provide documentation requested. Upon review of the reconsideration request the ministry has determined requested information in terms of the appellant's spouse is not required.
However, the ministry determined the appellant remains ineligible for income assistance because the appellant has failed to supply the following documents: • Income tax notice of assessment and/or copies of the appellant's completed tax returns for 2015, 2016, and 2017. • Tax slips (T4's, T5'S, etc.} for the previous tax year including 2015, 2016, 2017 (including same for spouse and/or dependents}. • The appellant's lease agreement including phone number of property manager/owner. • Confirmation of El benefits for 2015 and 2016. The ministry states the appellant has been given sufficient time to provide the outstanding documentation and that the appellant has no justification as to why she has not been able to provide the additional documents. Although the appellant stated she was delayed in supplying the documents as she was unwell, the ministry states they have not received any evidence that would support this claim. Appellant's Position The appellant states she is trying her best to supply the required documents but has been unable to obtain all the information. She is not aware of the rental situation as her father takes care of those matters, she is trying to obtain the information from the El office, and she has thrown away tax documents. Panel Decision As no evidence in terms of medical issues affecting the appellant's ability to provide the requested documents was provided, the panel found the ministry reasonable to conclude that there is insufficient evidence the appellant was medically unable to obtain or submit the required documents. The panel also found the appellant has made some effort to provide the information requested by the minister including the new evidence submitted during the hearing as required by Section 10 of the EAA but has not provided all the information required. Missing information includes confirmation of 2015,2016 El benefits, complete tax assessments for 2015, 2016, 2017, tax slips (T-4, T-5, etc.}, rental/lease agreement/situation and landlord's name and phone number. 10(4) EAA states that" If an applicant or a recipient fails to comply with a direction under this section, the minister may declare the family unit ineligible for income assistance, hardship assistance or a supplement for the prescribed period." Section 32(1} of the EAR states, "For the purposes of section 10 (4) [information and verification] of the Act, the period for which the minister may declare the family unit ineligible for assistance lasts until the applicant or recipient complies with the direction." The panel finds that the ministry decision that the appellant would be denied assistance pursuant to Section 10 of the Employment and Assistance Act as she failed to provide all the requested information necessary to determine eligibility as set out in Section 32 of the Employment and Assistance Regulation was a reasonable application of the applicable legislation in the circumstances of the appellant and therefore confirms the decision. The appellant is not successful on appeal.
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 ) [2J U N A N I M O U S □ B Y M A J O R I T Y T H E P A N E L [2J 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 ry 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 TY 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 ) D o r S e c t i o n 2 4 ( 1 ) ( b ) [2J a n d S e c t i o n 2 4 ( 2 ) ( a ) [2J 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 C h a r l e s S c h e l l i n c k · � · · . D A T E ( Y E A R / M O N T H / D A Y ) • . i " , , , � "" , { , ' ' -:' ' " ' '\ 2 0 1 9 / 0 2 / 2 2 S I G N A T U R E O F C H A I R P R J N T N A M E M a r n e e P e a r c e 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 9 / 0 2 / 2 2 P R I N T N A M E C a r m a n T h o m p 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 ) 2 0 1 9 / 0 2 / 2 2
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.