There is a new simplified application process for young people with developmental disabilities who are applying for Persons with Disabilities (PWD) assistance that became effective this past summer.
Youth and their families can now use an existing assessment by a registered psychologist or certified school psychologist, instead of completing the PWD designation application form – a part of the full disability assistance application process.
By reducing the number of steps and new documentation required, this simplified process reduces the application burden on families. There are about 600 youth with developmental disabilities who will benefit from this simplified approach each year. The shorter, simpler process will help to make the transition to adult services easier.
The change has been made in collaboration with the ministries of Children and Family Development and Education, and Community Living BC.
A new brochure on the simplified process for youth with developmental disabilities applying for disability assistance is available at
www.sd.gov.bc.ca/publicat/pdf/pwd-youth-application.pdf.