Welfare office reductions prompts complaint to BC Ombudsperson

The B.C. government is making it harder for vulnerable people to access income-assistanceaccording to nine community organizations who'vefiled a complaint with the BC Ombudsperson.

The organizations, which include the Kettle Society andAtiraWomen's Resource Society in Vancouver,arguethe province has shut down or reduced the hours of many welfare services offices across the province, making it more difficult for people to speak to staff in person.

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At it's core, it's really about vulnerable people effectively being shut out by welfare services- LobatSadrehashemi, lawyer

"At it's core, it's really about vulnerable people effectively being shut out by welfare services," saidLobat Sadrehashemi, alawyer with the B.C Public Interest Advocacy Centrewhich is representing the agencies.

"Not because of any change in the law or because they've been explicitly excluded, but simply because of the way the welfare ministry has decided to design its services."

Shift in services

Over the last few yearsthe Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation has shiftedthe way it provides its services to relying more on call centres and encouraging people seeking welfare services to apply by phone or online.

But many low income people don't have reliable access to either, Sadrehashemi said.

"The organizations we represent have repeatedly raised these concerns with the Ministry," saidSadrehashemi. "It's fallen on deaf ears."

Since 2005, the Ministry has closed 14offices and reduced operating hours at others 11officeslocated in northern B.C. and the southern interior are now only open three hours a day.

B.C government says changes reflect feedback

In a statement emailed to the CBC, Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation Michelle Stilwellacknowledgesit may be challenging for many low income individuals and families to access modern technology, but feedback from ministry clients indicates a growing interest in services available over the phone and online.

The ministry argues it provides more flexibility on how, when and where people access services.

"In person or face to face services will always be available to clients who require it, as well as outreach services for the most vulnerable," said Stilwell. "If people have an urgent need no matter how they contact us help is immediately offered"

But Sadrehashemi says it's not enough to create greater access online while reducing access to staff face-to-face. She hopes the ombudspersonwill recommend systemic change.

"Ultimately this is not an individual issue, it's the way the entire system is designed is shutting out people."

Tohearthe full interview withLobatSadrehashemi, listen to the audio labelled Welfare Access