British Columbia & Yukon Division
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Individual Advocacy

VLAPVolunteer Legal Advocacy Program (VLAP)
VLAP assists people affected by multiple sclerosis in BC and the Yukon address advocacy and legal challenges with the help of lay volunteers and lawyers who provide pro-bono legal advice or representation. The following services are available:

VLAP Volunteer Experiences

Angela B Photo

"What advocates have to do is transfer who the client is and what their living situation is like into something definable on paper" Read more

General information and education Read more

Information about advocacy and legal topics, including income security, human rights, and government resources. Information is provided by telephone, email or in-person at our Burnaby office. VLAP Resource Guides help clients deal with the more common legal and advocacy challenges faced by those who are affected by MS. Resource guides are available in pdf format or printed copy by request on the following topics:

Assistance with the completion of complex forms Read more

Lay volunteers assist with:

  • CPP-Disability Benefit application
  • Long-term Disability Benefit application
  • Disability Tax Credit

General advocacy support Read more

Issues such as:

  • CPP-Disability Benefit appeals and tribunals
  • Employment-related issues
  • Insurance-related issues
  • Other difficult situations

Free legal advice or full representation by lawyers Read more

Available for challenges related to:

  • Disability insurance issues
  • Human rights
  • Employment equity
  • Power of Attorney and Representation Agreements
  • Wills and estates
  • Setting up a trust, particularly related to PwD benefits.

Referral to a lawyer for advice or representation is primarily available in larger communities and is based on financial need. Clients need to provide income information prior to be considered for this aspect of VLAP.

If we are unable to assist you with your specific advocacy or legal challenge, we will try to connect you to other available resources in your community.

If you or someone you know requires assistance with a legal or advocacy issue or if you have legal expertise and would like to volunteer for this program please contact the VLAP Coordinator at 1-800-268-7582 or 604-689-3144 or e-mail us at info.bc@mssociety.ca with “VLAP” in the subject line.

Relevant advocacy and legal resources

We thank the Law Foundation of BC for generous support of the Volunteer Legal Assistance Program.