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Difference between revisions of "Outstanding Warrants and Welfare"
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Outstanding Warrants and Welfare (view source)
Revision as of 01:35, 15 September 2020
, 01:35, 15 September 2020no edit summary
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===If you have an outstanding warrant for your arrest=== | ===If you have an outstanding warrant for your arrest=== | ||
Under the law in BC, if there is a '''warrant''' for your arrest anywhere in Canada, you may not be able to get welfare in BC. It depends on the type of offence involved. | |||
You aren’t eligible for welfare if there is an arrest warrant issued: | You aren’t eligible for welfare if there is an arrest warrant issued: | ||
# [ | # [https://www.canlii.org/en/ca/laws/stat/sc-2001-c-27/latest/sc-2001-c-27.html under the ''Immigration and Refugee Protection Act''], or | ||
# under any other Canadian law in relation to an '''indictable''' offence. | # under any other Canadian law in relation to an '''indictable''' offence. | ||
Indictable offences are the more serious ones, | Indictable offences are the more serious ones, [https://www.canlii.org/en/ca/laws/stat/rsc-1985-c-c-46/latest/rsc-1985-c-c-46.html usually under the ''Criminal Code''] or [https://www.canlii.org/en/ca/laws/stat/sc-1996-c-19/latest/sc-1996-c-19.html the law on illegal drugs]. They include aggravated assault, theft over $5,000, drug trafficking, and murder. | ||
If an arrest warrant for you is outstanding and falls in one of these categories, you can be cut off from (and ineligible for) welfare benefits until you take steps to deal with the warrant. The welfare benefits affected include income assistance, disability assistance, hardship assistance, and supplements. | If an arrest warrant for you is outstanding and falls in one of these categories, you can be cut off from (and ineligible for) welfare benefits until you take steps to deal with the warrant. The welfare benefits affected include income assistance, disability assistance, hardship assistance, and supplements. | ||
===There are exceptions=== | ===There are exceptions=== | ||
Some people can still get welfare even if they have an outstanding warrant falling in one of the named categories. | Some people can still get welfare even if they have an outstanding warrant falling in one of the named categories. [https://www.canlii.org/en/bc/laws/regu/bc-reg-263-2002/latest/bc-reg-263-2002.html#sec38.1_smooth The warrant provision in the welfare law] doesn’t apply to: | ||
The family of a person with an outstanding warrant is still eligible for welfare. | * pregnant women, | ||
* people in the end stage of a terminal illness, or | |||
* someone under age 18. | |||
The family of a person with an outstanding warrant is still eligible for welfare. | |||
==When you apply for welfare== | ==When you apply for welfare== | ||
When you apply for welfare, you have to say if there is an outstanding warrant for your arrest issued under: | When you apply for welfare, you have to say if there is an outstanding warrant for your arrest issued under: | ||
*Canada’s immigration law, or | |||
*another Canadian law in relation to an '''indictable''' offence. | * Canada’s immigration law, or | ||
* another Canadian law in relation to an '''indictable''' offence. | |||
If you don’t tell the truth, you may have to repay any welfare benefits you receive, and you could face criminal charges. You also have to agree that the government can check the information you report. | If you don’t tell the truth, you may have to repay any welfare benefits you receive, and you could face criminal charges. You also have to agree that the government can check the information you report. | ||
But you may not know if you have an outstanding warrant. For example, perhaps there was a warrant for your arrest. But sometimes charges are '''stayed''', with the prosecutor deciding not to proceed with the charges. When that happens, warrants are cancelled. A warrant can be cancelled without you knowing about it. As a result, you can’t assume you still have an active warrant. | But you may not know if you have an outstanding warrant. For example, perhaps there ''was'' a warrant for your arrest. But sometimes charges are '''stayed''', with the prosecutor deciding not to proceed with the charges. When that happens, warrants are cancelled. A warrant can be cancelled without you knowing about it. As a result, you can’t assume you still have an active warrant. | ||
Or you may know there’s a warrant, but not know if it’s in relation to an indictable offence. (Less serious offences are called '''summary conviction''' offences. Some offences are '''hybrid''' offences, meaning the prosecutor can choose to proceed either summarily or by indictment.) | |||
So the most accurate answer may be that '''you don’t know''' if there’s an outstanding arrest warrant falling in one of the named categories. The government can then check for any outstanding warrants for your arrest and what type of offence they are for. | So the most accurate answer may be that '''you don’t know''' if there’s an outstanding arrest warrant falling in one of the named categories. The government can then check for any outstanding warrants for your arrest and what type of offence they are for. | ||
===Dealing with an outstanding warrant=== | ===Dealing with an outstanding warrant=== | ||
How you deal with an outstanding warrant depends on the facts of the case and the offence you are charged with. You have various options. | How you deal with an outstanding warrant depends on the facts of the case and the offence you are charged with. You have various options. | ||
You can call the prosecutor in the location where the warrant was issued to see if they might drop the underlying criminal charges (which would cancel the warrant). | You can call the prosecutor in the location where the warrant was issued to see if they might drop the underlying criminal charges (which would cancel the warrant). | ||
Or you can go back to that place to deal with the warrant. | Or you can go back to that place to deal with the warrant. | ||
Or if you have a relevant warrant in another province, you can | Or if you have a relevant warrant in another province, you can '''waive in''' your charges to BC so you can attend court here to clear the warrant and deal with the charges. (You can only waive charges into BC if you intend to plead guilty to them.) | ||
You should get legal advice before you decide what to do. See below for options for legal help. | You should get legal advice before you decide what to do. See below for options for legal help. | ||
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====You can challenge the government’s decision==== | ====You can challenge the government’s decision==== | ||
If the government says you can’t get welfare or it cuts you off from welfare, you have the right to challenge their decision. See our information on | If the government says you can’t get welfare or it cuts you off from welfare, you have the right to challenge their decision. See our information on reconsiderations and appeals of income assistance. | ||
====Short-term financial help==== | ====Short-term financial help==== | ||