Are you looking for help with finances, housing, your career, accessing government benefits, credits, and other supports?
Don’t want to leave the island to get that help? A variety of government service helpers are coming from off-island to the Bowen Island Library to give informative talks and offer one-on-one drop-in support. We encourage you to come get your questions answered and your needs met.
On Tuesday, February 25, at 10:30 am at the Library, a federal representative from Service Canada will be presenting on how Service Canada can assist you, with a focus on Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Old Age Security (OAS), but other topics will include the new Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), Social Insurance Numbers (SIN), Employment Insurance (EI), and “My Service Canada Account”.
One month later, on Tuesday, March 25, at 10:30 am at the Library, another special talk is offered by a Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) representative, called “Get Your Benefits & Credits!” She’ll talk about tax benefits and credits such as Canada Child Benefit (CCB), GST/HST Credit, Disability Tax Credit (DTC), and Canada Worker’s Benefit (CWB). She’ll also cover how to keep your information up to date, ways to do your taxes, CRA services and tools, and scam awareness. You may be eligible for benefits and credits you didn’t know of – that could be money in your pocket!
These two talks will run up to an hour, and the Service Canada representative and the CRA representative will both be here on February 25 and March 25 for one-on-one help after their talks and until 2 pm.
When you drop in to talk to the Service Canada agent, this is similar to visiting a regular Service Canada Centre, (the nearest one being on Esplanade in North Vancouver). He can help with transactions and applications relating to all the programs and benefits they provide. (Sorry, he will not be taking Passport applications.)
The CRA representative can help with tax questions, and may be available to help file simple tax returns (to be confirmed). Both the Service Canada and CRA helpers may need to see your government ID in order to assist you, so be sure to bring this for one-on-one help.
And as always, our wonderful WorkBC Career Advisor and the Community Integration Services specialist are also here on the fourth Tuesday of the month, January through June, from 11 am to 2 pm, for drop-in one-on-one help.
The Community Integration Specialist, who works for the provincial government, can help with cultural, health, and community supports, support during critical transition points, such as leaving a medical or corrections facility, assistance applying for income and disability assistance, funding for urgent needs, such as food or clothing, housing support referrals, and health support referrals.
Did all this information, dates, and times just make you go cross-eyed? It’s a lot of different help available, and a lot to keep track of! See all the dates at bipl.ca/get-help or see this handy summary:
• Work BC Career Advisor: 4th Tuesday of the month
• Community Integration Services: 4th Tuesday of the month
• NEW Service Canada: Special Presentation on February 25, and one-on-one help February 25 & March 25
• NEW Canada Revenue Agency: Special Presentation on March 25, and one-on-one help February 25 & March 25
We hope anyone who needs a little extra help with government supports comes to make best use of these special on-island services and presentations at the Bowen Island Library. Find out more at bipl.ca/get-help
