Colin Bradley's federal disability payments
will now be issued after prolonged administrative delay and review of
guardianship paperwork filed in PEI
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| Colin Bradley with his sister and caregiver, Teena Bradley Rumbolt, who has now secured his federal disability benefit after a year long struggle. CONTRIBUTED |
A Conception Bay South family says a year-long delay in accessing a federal disability benefit has now been resolved, with Service Canada confirming that monthly payments will begin in May.
In a post shared on social media, caregiver Teena Bradley Rumbolt said she was contacted by the national director of the program last week and informed that her brother, Colin Bradley, will receive all backdated payments, too.
“He will receive all of last year’s payments in May, and start with the monthly payments in May as well,” Rumbolt said.
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| Colin Bradley with his sister and full-time caregiver, Teena Rumbolt. CONTRIBUTED |
GUARDIANSHIP DOCUMENTATION DEEMED SUFFICIENT
The delay in getting the payments stemmed from a concern about the wording for the long-standing guardianship order for Bradley, which was not accepted when the family attempted to apply for his payments. They feared they would have to go through the expense of having the paperwork, which was originally issued in Prince Edward Island, filed again in Newfoundland.
“I was finally contacted by the national director for the disability program… and she apologized many times, as our legal paperwork was sufficient and never should have been questioned,” she said.
Rumbolt said she was informed that the case had led to changes in how legal documents are assessed within Service Canada.
“Due to the mishandling of Colin’s case, they will receive further training, and they also have implemented a new procedure with legal documents,” she said.
"From now on, when a Service Canada officer receives legal documentation, it will require two sets of eyes before moving on to be denied or approved.”
STRAIN OF A PROLONGED APPLICATION
The family has been waiting nearly a year for the benefit, which is administered federally through Service Canada and supports eligible adults with disabilities.
The process required repeated follow-ups with government offices, legal representatives, and elected officials.
Rumbolt said the delay placed significant strain on the household.
“It’s beyond exhausting, constantly having to advocate for family. This world these days requires someone to do the work and keep pushing for what is right. If not, you get nothing,” she said.
“Don’t give up. Don’t accept what you know is not fair and continue to speak up. One person can make a change, and this is proof.”
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| Colin Bradley spends much of his day by the window, watching the world outside from his home in CBS. CONTRIBUTED |
SERVICE CANADA CONFIRMS APPROVAL, ACKNOWLEDGES ERROR
In a statement to The Telegram, Service Canada confirmed the case has now been resolved and that payments have been approved.
“Upon receipt of all required documentation, the file was processed successfully. C. Bradley’s application has been approved, the file is now current, active, and in pay,” the agency said.
It added that all applicable retroactive payments have been authorized and that ongoing monthly payments are now in effect.
“The initial documentation received led to a denial for this client, which was an accurate decision given the documentation provided at the time,” the statement said.
“Upon receiving an additional legal document from the client, Service Canada misinterpreted the legal requirements, thereby incorrectly maintaining the original decision. Upon further review, it was determined that the original denial decision was incorrect.”
REVIEW AND INTERNAL PROCESSES
Service Canada said legal guardianship documents are assessed in accordance with legislative and regulatory requirements tied to each program.
Officers are supported by training, procedural guidelines, and internal resources when evaluating documentation, the agency said, adding that additional advice is available when required.
“Service Canada continually reviews its processes to better ensure clarity, consistency, and decision-making across cases,” the statement said, including in the handling of legal documentation such as guardianship and proof of representation.
Full Article & Source:
CBS family's year-long fight for disability benefits resolved after guardianship papers accepted
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