Provincial Government explains Woodlands compensation process
The following memo was issued by Disability Alliance BC in November 2018:
Dear Community Partner,
On October 22nd, the provincial government issued an information bulletin explaining the compensation process for former residents of Woodlands (also known as Woodlands School or Woodlands Institution).
Former Woodlands residents may be eligible for a payment from the provincial government for the abuse they suffered at the institution. In March, the provincial government announced that it would be extending compensation to former residents of Woodlands who resided at the institution prior to 1974. In early October, former residents started to receive these payments.
From the information bulletin:
“This payment will not impact any benefits you may receive or income for tax purposes.
The process to determine eligibility is very simple, and you will not be asked to talk about your experience at Woodlands.
You will be asked to provide the following information:
- Full name;
- Date of birth;
- Address; and
- The name and address of your legal guardian if you have one.
To determine if you are eligible, you or your guardian or caregiver can call toll free 1-888-523-7192 or woodlands.care.facility.residents@gov.bc.ca.
People who resided at Woodlands prior to August 1, 1974 will receive $10,000 in an ex-gratia payment. In addition, people who resided in Woodlands after August 1, 1974 will receive up to a maximum of $10,000.
This payment is separate from the previous Woodlands class action. If you received a payment under that class action, you may still be eligible up to a combined maximum of $10,000.
Payments can only be made to former residents who are still living and will not be made to a deceased resident’s estate.
For information on the March announcement, please visit:
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2018PREM0013-000547.”
To download the full information bulletin, please visit:
http://disabilityalliancebc.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Woodlands-ex-gratia-payments-Information-Bulletin-Oct-22-2018.pdf
Best regards,
Sam Turcott, Executive Director: Policy and Programs