
March 26, 2010
LSS services update: Current family law representation guidelines LSS services update: New local agents in seven communities LSS services update: Financial eligibility guidelines changing April 1, 2010 Aboriginal Legal Services: Do you know about First Nations Court? Lifetime of social justice nets Allan Parker a QC Community Advocate Support Line update LawLINE ends, but other services continue << go to main page	Hot off the press from LSS We've been busy since January preparing lots of revised and a few new publications. Here are the latest: Living Together or Living Apart: Common-Law Relationships, Marriage, Separation, and Divorce This revised booklet is now available in English in print and online. Now in its third edition, this popular publication explains the basics of family law in BC, and includes information about living common-law or being married, the process for separation and divorce, how to work out custody, support, and access issues if there are children involved, and how to sort out money matters. It also describes legal options and where to get help. We've tweaked the content (minor clarifications) here and there, updated the LSS information, and added new resources. Understanding Aboriginal Delegated Agencies: Information for Aboriginal Families This new fact sheet is now available in English in print and online. It provides an overview of Aboriginal delegated agencies and their potential role in Aboriginal child protection matters. Aboriginal delegated agencies are part of the Ministry of Children and Family Development and provide child welfare services. Aboriginal delegated agencies are part of an effort to restore the responsibilities of child protection and family support to Aboriginal communities. Written in plain language, the fact sheet also contains an area for writing the details of your case. Sponsorship Breakdown We've revised and reprinted the English version of Sponsorship Breakdown. This popular publication, available in print and online, is for permanent residents when the person sponsoring them in Canada is no longer supporting them, and they are unable to support themselves. It explains what happens when a sponsorship breaks down and how to apply for welfare. There is also a resource section listing community groups and other help. The previous edition, in Chinese (traditional), Korean, Punjabi, Spanish, and Vietnamese, remains useful and accurate, and is still available in print and online. Your Guide to the Refugee Claim Process The English version of Your Guide to the Refugee Claim Process (which replaced the Refugee Fact Sheet Series last year) is already in its second printing. Your Guide to the Refugee Claim Process explains the process of seeking refugee protection in Canada. This reprint, dated December 2009, includes some minor revisions such as updated website links and contact information for community organizations, and is also available online. Your Welfare Rights: A Guide to BC Employment and Assistance This popular guide to welfare law and policy has been revised and updated. The 21st edition is even easier to read and has an expanded resource section. It also has more information on reconsideration deadline extensions and the new process for phone applications. However, the ministry announced big changes just as the booklet went to press, so be sure to check the LSS website in a month or two for an update with more information on orientation requirements, the phasing out of the Child in the Home of a Relative program, and changes to medical and dental benefits. Coming soon The following publications are in progress and will be available in early April. All except Benefits and Services for Seniors will be available in print and online. Are You Aboriginal? Do You Have a Bail Hearing? Are You Being Sentenced for a Crime? Do You Know About First Nations Court? This new fact sheet is coming soon in English. It provides an overview of Gladue rights, which are rights under the Criminal Code that apply to anyone who self-identifies as Aboriginal, and what these rights mean for Aboriginal people who have a bail hearing or are being sentenced for a crime. The fact sheet also explains what a Gladue report is and provides some basic questions that can help Aboriginal defendants and their lawyers get started on preparing a Gladue report. The fact sheet also provides information on the First Nations Court in New Westminster, including contact information for the expanded duty counsel for First Nations Court. Benefits and Services for Seniors We've revised this popular booklet in English to include new programs that are available, and up-to-date information about existing programs and resources. Use this booklet to find out about the benefits you may be entitled to receive when you retire or if you get sick, how your rights to safety are protected, and how you can appeal an unfavourable decision. Available in English online only. Consumer Law and Credit/Debt Law We've reviewed and updated this problem-solving manual for paralegals, legal information advocates, and lawyers whose clients face problems with consumer goods and services contracts or consumer credit contracts. The format for each topic remains the same as in the first two editions: a list of common questions, an outline of the relevant law, suggestions for specific information gathering, and suggestions for solving the problem. Surviving Relationship Violence and Abuse Surviving Relationship Violence and Abuse is a new LSS publication available in English, and which replaces the booklet Speaking of Abuse: Violence Against Women in Relationships. Surviving Relationship Violence and Abuse outlines what abuse is from a legal perspective and what a woman's legal rights are if she is in an abusive relationship. It explains what women can do to protect themselves and their children, and the kind of help they can get. It includes how to make a safety plan, what the police can do, how the court process works, and how to leave an abusive relationship. The booklet includes a chapter about violence against Aboriginal women in relationships and lists the resources available to them. The booklet was written for advocates and community workers who support women who are being abused, assaulted, or harassed by their husbands, boyfriends, or ex-partners. The information provided applies to women who choose to stay in their abusive relationships and also to those who have left or who are trying to leave. Understanding Aboriginal Child Protection/Removal Matters This redesigned and reprinted fact sheet describes what Aboriginal parents and their communities can do in Aboriginal child protection cases. BC law says that if any child is at risk, they must be removed from their home. It also says that Aboriginal cultural ties are important to the well-being of Aboriginal children. Written in plain language, the fact sheet also contains an area for writing notes about the details of the case. Understanding Court Orders and Hearings This redesigned and reprinted fact sheet describes many of the court orders and hearings involved in child protection cases. Written in plain language, it contains an area for writing notes about the details of the case. When I’m 64 This reprinted booklet contains information on government pensions and benefits for seniors. The booklet also contains information about adult guardianship legislation, health care services and benefits, housing, safety and security, and putting one's affairs in order. The reprint now includes the information update that was originally printed in 2009 as an insert. If you have questions or comments about any of our publications, please send us an e-mail.
Back issues \| Privacy statement \| Subscribe \| Unsubscribe

March 26, 2010

Hot off the press from LSS

We've been busy since January preparing lots of revised and a few new publications. Here are the latest:

Living Together or Living Apart: Common-Law Relationships, Marriage, Separation, and Divorce
This revised booklet is now available in English in print and online. Now in its third edition, this popular publication explains the basics of family law in BC, and includes information about living common-law or being married, the process for separation and divorce, how to work out custody, support, and access issues if there are children involved, and how to sort out money matters. It also describes legal options and where to get help. We've tweaked the content (minor clarifications) here and there, updated the LSS information, and added new resources.

Understanding Aboriginal Delegated Agencies: Information for Aboriginal Families
This new fact sheet is now available in English in print and online. It provides an overview of Aboriginal delegated agencies and their potential role in Aboriginal child protection matters. Aboriginal delegated agencies are part of the Ministry of Children and Family Development and provide child welfare services. Aboriginal delegated agencies are part of an effort to restore the responsibilities of child protection and family support to Aboriginal communities. Written in plain language, the fact sheet also contains an area for writing the details of your case.

Sponsorship Breakdown
We've revised and reprinted the English version of Sponsorship Breakdown. This popular publication, available in print and online, is for permanent residents when the person sponsoring them in Canada is no longer supporting them, and they are unable to support themselves. It explains what happens when a sponsorship breaks down and how to apply for welfare. There is also a resource section listing community groups and other help.

The previous edition, in Chinese (traditional), Korean, Punjabi, Spanish, and Vietnamese, remains useful and accurate, and is still available in print and online.

Your Guide to the Refugee Claim Process
The English version of Your Guide to the Refugee Claim Process (which replaced the Refugee Fact Sheet Series last year) is already in its second printing. Your Guide to the Refugee Claim Process explains the process of seeking refugee protection in Canada. This reprint, dated December 2009, includes some minor revisions such as updated website links and contact information for community organizations, and is also available online.

Your Welfare Rights: A Guide to BC Employment and Assistance
This popular guide to welfare law and policy has been revised and updated. The 21st edition is even easier to read and has an expanded resource section. It also has more information on reconsideration deadline extensions and the new process for phone applications. However, the ministry announced big changes just as the booklet went to press, so be sure to check the LSS website in a month or two for an update with more information on orientation requirements, the phasing out of the Child in the Home of a Relative program, and changes to medical and dental benefits.

Coming soon

The following publications are in progress and will be available in early April. All except Benefits and Services for Seniors will be available in print and online.

Are You Aboriginal? Do You Have a Bail Hearing? Are You Being Sentenced for a Crime? Do You Know About First Nations Court?
This new fact sheet is coming soon in English. It provides an overview of Gladue rights, which are rights under the Criminal Code that apply to anyone who self-identifies as Aboriginal, and what these rights mean for Aboriginal people who have a bail hearing or are being sentenced for a crime. The fact sheet also explains what a Gladue report is and provides some basic questions that can help Aboriginal defendants and their lawyers get started on preparing a Gladue report. The fact sheet also provides information on the First Nations Court in New Westminster, including contact information for the expanded duty counsel for First Nations Court.

Benefits and Services for Seniors
We've revised this popular booklet in English to include new programs that are available, and up-to-date information about existing programs and resources. Use this booklet to find out about the benefits you may be entitled to receive when you retire or if you get sick, how your rights to safety are protected, and how you can appeal an unfavourable decision. Available in English online only.

Consumer Law and Credit/Debt Law
We've reviewed and updated this problem-solving manual for paralegals, legal information advocates, and lawyers whose clients face problems with consumer goods and services contracts or consumer credit contracts. The format for each topic remains the same as in the first two editions: a list of common questions, an outline of the relevant law, suggestions for specific information gathering, and suggestions for solving the problem.

Surviving Relationship Violence and Abuse
Surviving Relationship Violence and Abuse is a new LSS publication available in English, and which replaces the booklet Speaking of Abuse: Violence Against Women in Relationships.

Surviving Relationship Violence and Abuse outlines what abuse is from a legal perspective and what a woman's legal rights are if she is in an abusive relationship. It explains what women can do to protect themselves and their children, and the kind of help they can get. It includes how to make a safety plan, what the police can do, how the court process works, and how to leave an abusive relationship. The booklet includes a chapter about violence against Aboriginal women in relationships and lists the resources available to them.

The booklet was written for advocates and community workers who support women who are being abused, assaulted, or harassed by their husbands, boyfriends, or ex-partners. The information provided applies to women who choose to stay in their abusive relationships and also to those who have left or who are trying to leave.

Understanding Aboriginal Child Protection/Removal Matters
This redesigned and reprinted fact sheet describes what Aboriginal parents and their communities can do in Aboriginal child protection cases. BC law says that if any child is at risk, they must be removed from their home. It also says that Aboriginal cultural ties are important to the well-being of Aboriginal children. Written in plain language, the fact sheet also contains an area for writing notes about the details of the case.

Understanding Court Orders and Hearings
This redesigned and reprinted fact sheet describes many of the court orders and hearings involved in child protection cases. Written in plain language, it contains an area for writing notes about the details of the case.

When I’m 64
This reprinted booklet contains information on government pensions and benefits for seniors. The booklet also contains information about adult guardianship legislation, health care services and benefits, housing, safety and security, and putting one's affairs in order. The reprint now includes the information update that was originally printed in 2009 as an insert.

If you have questions or comments about any of our publications, please send us an e-mail.

Back issues | Privacy statement | Subscribe | Unsubscribe