Advocacy

In our advocacy office, we advocate for and support the people who come to us for help resolving a conflict, or navigating a crisis.

The Kettle Mental Health Outreach and Advocacy Program supports people living with a combination of mental illness, mental health problems, low-income, or homelessness to address both individual needs and systemic issues that may impact their mental health and well-being.

Please note: Since we are a mental health organization, in order to use our advocacy services, you may be required to provide us information pertaining to your mental health. Our staff is friendly, and they will keep your information confidential. We are also mandated to provide assistance to people living in Vancouver, Burnaby, and New Westminster, or people who are already reliant on services in Vancouver. If you live outside of this area, please seek assistance through services which are located in your municipality.

We can help you access services or resolve issues in the following areas:

Issues surrounding income security or financial hardship

Canada Pension Plan (CPP)

What to bring:

• SIN (yours, spouse, children)

• Proof of all source(s) of income

• Any communication you have received from the Government regarding CPP

• If you don’t have the needed documents, or don’t know what to bring, please come in anyway

What to expect:

• An advocate will help you complete the necessary forms and fill out your application.

• If we need to speak to the CRA over the phone, we may book an appointment for you to come back as hold times can be long.

• Once the application is complete, we can mail it on your behalf.

• We may also request that you sign a Release of Information (ROI) so that we can communicate with government agencie(s) on your behalf.

Old Age Security (OAS)

What to bring:

• SIN (yours, spouse, children)

• Proof of all source(s) of income

• Any communication you have received from the Government regarding OAS

• If you don’t have the needed documents, or don’t know what to bring, please come in anyway

What to expect:

• An advocate will help you complete the necessary forms and fill out your application.

• If we need to speak to the CRA over the phone, we may book an appointment for you to come back as hold times can be long.

• Once the application is complete, we can mail it on your behalf.

• We may also request that you sign a Release of Information (ROI) so that we can communicate with government agencie(s) on your behalf.

Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)

What to bring:

• SIN (yours, spouse, children)

• Proof of all source(s) of income

• Any communication you have received from the Government regarding GIS

• If you don’t have the needed documents, or don’t know what to bring, please come in anyway

What to expect:

• An advocate will help you complete the necessary forms and fill out your application.

• If we need to speak to the CRA over the phone, we may book an appointment for you to come back as hold times can be long.

• Once the application is complete, we can mail it on your behalf.

• We may also request that you sign a Release of Information (ROI) so that we can communicate with government agencie(s) on your behalf.

Income Assistance (IA)

What to bring:

• ID for you and your family

• SIN

• Rent and utilities amounts

• Bank account balance (60 days)

• If you have a vehicle, if and how much you owe

• Proof of EI or WCB benefits

• If you don’t have the needed documents, or don’t know what to bring, please come in anyway

What to expect:

• The process to apply for IA is generally straightforward and can be done using The Ministry’s website. An advocate will help you during your intake to apply for IA.

Persons with Disabilities (PWD)

What to bring:

• The PWD application booklet, provided by a Ministry office

• Name and information of your doctor supporting the PWD application

• If you don’t have the needed documents, or don’t know what to bring, please come in anyway

What to expect:

• An advocate will complete an intake assessment with you the day you attend our office.

• We will then follow up with you to book a time to return to Advocacy so we can assist you in completing an assisted guide to take to your doctor together with the application provided by the Ministry.

Crisis Supplements

What to bring:

• Bring in any documents or evidence to support your need for a crisis supplement. Examples may include a letter from your doctor, a support worker or a hydro bill

• If you don’t have the needed documents, or don’t know what to bring, please come in anyway

What to expect:

• There are many different types of crisis supplements provided by the ministry, and what to expect varies depending on what you are requesting. We will listen to your issue and advocate for your eligibility of a crisis supplement based on your need(s).

Improving access to health care and substance use supports

• Maintaining eligibility for health benefits (Medical Services Plan, Fair Pharmacare)

• Our advocates are knowledgeable of the current health care services and are able to answer a wide range of questions

• We can make health care referrals

• There is an on-site Health Clinic

Filing taxes, current tax year and any previous years (as far back as 2009)

• We file taxes year-round

• We also offer tax clinics yearly March 1st-April 30th

Residential tenancy and housing

• Issues with landlords

• Maintenance and repair concerns

• Unfair evictions

• Support in Residential Tenancy Branch hearings

• If issues are in Kettle housing, we will refer you to an outside agency

Child protection concerns and family law issues

• Help parents whose children may have been apprehended or may be at risk of apprehension by the Ministry of Children and Family Development

• Assist with family law issues

Debt relief

• We can help manage credit card debt, student loans, and repayment plans

• Considering filing for bankruptcy? We can refer you to outside services

Mental health and human rights

• Were you treated unfairly by the legal system?

• Do you think you may have received an improper mental health diagnosis?

Replacing lost or stolen identification

• Visit our page on the ID Bank for full details including hours and contact information.

If you need assistance in any of the above areas, or if you don’t see an issue listed that you need help with, we encourage you to come by the Advocacy office to see if we can help.

In the event that we cannot address your issue, we will try our best to connect you with the best services and resources.