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Disability Rebates
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ICBC REDUCED RATES for PERSONS with a DISABILITY
A registered owner or lessee of a vehicle ( a private passenger car, light commercial vehicle, collector vehicle, motorhome or motorcycle), who has a disability is eligible for a 25% reduction on insurance premiums if he/she is the principle operator; holds a valid BC driver's license; and qualifies for the Provincial Gas Rebate. Senior citizens with a disability who qualify may receive both the Senior Citizen's discount, which is 25% and the Driver with a Disability discount.
To obtain the discount(s), contact your Autoplan broker and present your current proof of license and insurance (owner's certificate of insurance, vehicle license and registration) and one of the following documents:
1. A letter from your doctor confirming your complete and permanent disability; or
2. A letter from BC Ministry of Social Services stating that you are in receipt of Disability Benefits and the date you were first eligible; or
3. A letter from Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) stating that you are in receipt of the disability pension and the date you were first eligible; or
4. A letter from the Consumer Taxation Branch of the BC government stating your eligibility for the Provincial Gasoline Tax Rebate.
If it is determined that you were qualified to receive this discount prior to your application, ICBC will adjust your autoplan premiums back to the date of your eligibility and send you a refund. This discount can only be applied to one vehicle. For more information, contact the ICBC claims office nearest you, listed in the phone book.
FEDERAL GASOLINE TAX REBATE Revenue Canada - Gasoline Rebate PO Box 82110, North Burnaby Postal Station, Burnaby BC V5C 5P2 Phone 666-4664 The Federal Government offers a rebate on the tax for gasoline used to transport a person with a permanent disability. A refund is made on gasoline for personal use for persons with a physical disability who have been certified by a qualified medical practitioner as having a permanent disability of movement to an extent that the use of public transportation would be unsafe.
Proof of purchase must include the name of the supplier, buyer, date bought and quantity and price of gas bought in volume and dollars. Receipts made out to cash are not acceptable as proof of purchase. Do not send receipts and/or other supporting documents with your claim. Refund claims for less than $200 should cover the period ending either June 30 or December 31, and may be made any time after the end of that period (e.g., a claim for $150 covering the period January 1 to June 30, should be completed as soon as possible after June 30). Refunds for $200 or more may be submitted at any time, on a once-a-month basis, and must be filed within 2 years of purchase. For more information, contact the above address.
PROVINCIAL GASOLINE TAX REBATE
Director, Consumer Taxation Branch Victoria BC V8V 2L9 Phone 660-4524 (Vancouver) Persons unable to use public transportation due to a disability are eligible for a rebate of tax paid on the purchases of fuel used to operate a motor vehicle. To be eligible for this rebate, the applicant must own or lease a car, which must be registered under the name of the person with the disability, whether he/she drives it himself/herself, or someone else drives for him. Under this program, the full amount of provincial gas tax paid on purchases of fuel is eligible for rebate.
Applicants are required to return with their application forms, a doctor's verification of the disability, a photocopy of vehicle registration and a letter from MSS or WCB confirming receipt of the BC Disability Benefits program. Submit a completed claim form together with matching fuel invoices or receipts as evidence of purchase to the above address. Retain invoices until a refundable amount of $10 or more has accumulated. Claims for refunds of tax paid must be made within 6 years from the date of purchase and must be signed by the claimant.
A letter will be issued to eligible applicants which may be taken to an ICBC insurance agent to obtain the 25% discount on your vehicle premium. For more information, contact your nearest Consumer Taxation Branch office listed in your phone book.
PARKING PERMITS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES SPARC (Social Planning and Research Council of BC) 106A-2182 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver BC V6K 2N4 Phone 736-4367 Fax 736-8697 Enforceable, plastic placards with permit number and international symbol of access are distributed to people with disabilities, and agencies transporting people with disabilities, so that they may park in designated spaces. Individuals must complete an application form and have it signed by a doctor.
Application forms are also available through the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities, the BC Paraplegic Association, and the Multiple Sclerosis Society. *
BC FERRIES DISCOUNT CARD Bill Buchard, Marketing & Public Relations BC Ferry Corporation Tsawwassen Terminal, Delta BC V4K 3N2 Phone 943-9331 Fax 943-3028 Upon presentation of a BC Ferry Corporation identification card or acceptable proof of disability, a person with a permanent disability will travel for one half of the regular passenger fare. Attendants required by persons with a disability for the purpose of travel will also pay one-half of the regular passenger fare. This special rate is applicable 7 days a week, year round, to passengers only. Regular fare must be paid for vehicles.
Identification of status of disability can be obtained by making an application, accompanied by a written confirmation of the permanent disability and necessity for assistance in order to travel, from a doctor or suitable authority.
Specially designed and equipped washrooms for persons with a disability are available on all major vessels. If traveling by car and requiring the use on an elevator, inform the ticket agent, who will advise the loading crew to give you special boarding instructions so that your vehicle can be parked close to an elevator.
Organized groups of individuals with a disability traveling with escorts can obtain the special reduction by presenting a letter of confirmation on the organization letterhead, from the Director or whoever is in charge of the organization. The letter should include date of travel and number of people involved. This form of identification is presented to the ticket agent at the time of travel. The letter should be retained for the return trip.
PACIFIC COACH LINES Phone 662-8074 (Vancouver) or 385-4411 (Victoria) for bookings and/or further information. The Office for Disability Issues (ODI) has been working closely with Pacific Coach Lines (PCL) to develop an accessible service for passengers with disabilities (who use wheelchairs or scooters) who are traveling between Victoria and Vancouver. Up until now, those passengers have been unable to utilize the present service unless they were able to transfer onto a regular coach. PCL is aiming towards providing modified accessible coaches in the future but for now, as of January 1998, are providing an accessible taxi service to supplement its current coach service. The cost of this service is identical to the coach service.
AIR CANADA Reservation and Information Office 688-5515 CANADIAN AIRLINES INTERNATIONAL
Reservation and Information Office 279-6611 Both Air Canada and Canadian Airlines International offer similar services. For passengers requiring an attendant to travel with them, the attendant is eligible for a 50% discount on all regular North American (Canada & transborder U.S.) flights on Air Canada, and flights within Canada on Canadian Airlines International. An attendant has to meet required qualifications determined by the airline, and must accompany the passenger with a disability on all flight legs.
Transport Canada has requested the Airlines to permit the attendant to travel free of charge. This has not been implemented to this date.
When making reservations, the passenger with a disability must specify that he/she requires the services of a personal attendant. Air Canada requires the passenger's physician to contact the Air Canada reservation office and answer a medical clearance questionnaire for Air Canada's medical department. Canadian Airlines requires their Form 243 to be completed.
You are advised to make your reservations and needs known n to your travel agent well in advance, as there is usually a limit to the number of persons with a disability who can be accommodated on each flight for safety reasons. Contact your travel agent or the airline office for more information, reservations and/or necessary forms.
CANADIAN REHABILITATION COUNCIL FOR DISABLED (CRCD) BUS & RAIL PASS 801-45 Sheppard Avenue East, Toronto ON M2N 5W9 Allows a person with a permanent disability to be accompanied by an adult attendant for a single fare on any of the participating Canadian motor coach operators, Canadian Pacific and Canadian National Railways. Certificate of Eligibility forms may be obtained from the BC Lions Society for Children with Disabilities, Kinsmen Rehabilitation Foundation or Cerebral Palsy Association of BC. Applications, completed by your attending doctor, should be mailed to the issuing office. Upon approval of the Certificate of Eligibility by CRCD or one of its designated affiliates, a Person with a disability Identification Card will be issued authorizing the Reduced
Fare Party Ticket to eligible applicants. For more information, contact the above address, Kinsmen Rehabilitation Foundation at 736-8841 or the Cerebral Palsy Association of BC at 205-9455.
GREYHOUND BUS LINES OF CANADA 1150 Station Street, Vancouver BC V6A 2X7 Phone 683-8133 Fax 683-0144 Greyhound allows people with disabilities and their attendant to ride together for the price of one ticket. This applies only on regular fares, not specials. Most depots have accessible washroom facilities and attendants to assist people in wheelchairs. Greyhound suggests you call their information line to check. Drivers will assist people in wheelchairs to get on and off the buses, and with loading/unloading of luggage.
VIA RAIL Phone 1-800-561-8630 TTY 1-800-268-9503 The traveling companion of a person with a disability can travel free. A medical certificate is required, and advance reservations are necessary. The companion is responsible for the care and personal needs of the person with a disability while en route.
When reserving tickets, passengers should make clear what services will be needed; e.g., manual lifting on and off the train, pre-boarding, etc.
All Via Rail trains, except the Victoria-Courtenay line, are fully wheelchair accessible.
Stretchers can be accommodated if advance notice is provided.
NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION AGENCY Director, Transportation Services for Disabled Persons Ottawa ON K1A 0N9 Phone 1-800-883-1813 TTY 1-800-669-5575 The National Transportation Agency of Canada is available to hear about problems or obstacles that come your way while visiting parts of Canada because planes, trains, or ferries are inaccessible. The agency is responsible for enforcing the rights of travelers with disabilities to fair access to transportation which falls under federal authority. For information, call collect or write to the above address.
TRAVEL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Ministry of Health Phone 387-8277 (Victoria) 1-800-661-2668 Designed to reduce the costs of long-distance travel for British Columbians who must leave home for non-emergency medical services. When such travel is necessary, your physician should contact MSP to find out the nearest treatment centre and verify your eligibility for TAP. He or she should then provide you with a completed Travel Assistance form. It is your responsibility to make your own travel and accommodation arrangements.
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Disability Rebates
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