16 - Sunday, March 5, 1989 - North Shore News HARDSHIP MEASURES THERE IS help for people of all ages who may be temporarily out of work or repaving student loans or in financial need in some other way, but many of those affected are not aware of this. The North Shore Information and Volunteer Centre at 1060 Roosevelt Cres., North Vancouver, can offer information and referral to the appropriate services. Adults (over 19) can get help through what is known as GAIN (Guaranteed Available Income for Need Act). People under 19 can also get GAIN but must meet with a social worker and have their family situation assessed. You can get GAIN even if ycu own and live in your own home, if you have a car, business tools, fishing or farming equipment or life insurance. You can get GAIN if you have a job which gives you less than GAIN rates. Should you have health problems or be laid off, you can apply for GAIN. You must, however, take a job if it is available to you and pays a minimum rate oi $5 an hour. GAIN has built-in emergency hardship measures, such as help for people waiting for their unemploy- ment insurance to kick in. The amount of assistance is predicated on the number of people in the family unit and separated into amounts for shelter (rent and utilities) and support. For example: one person considered to be employable would get support of $180 for a month plus up to $250 for shelter; couples would receive $320 for support and up to $412 for shelter. Special groups, such as people who are considered to be unemployable or handicapped, will receive more. Financial assistance under this program is for peo- ple in need who have exhausted most of their other tesources. The asset exemptions vary, based on the category of the person applying. Thus a single, employable transient may not get financial help if he has more than $5 in his pocket whereas a handicapped person with dependents may have up to $5,000 in assets and still be cligible. There is also, in some cases, assistance for day-care costs and education training. There are medical benefits for people on assistance, which include doc- tor’s care, hospital, drugs, dentist, glasses, hearing aids, nursing services, physiotherapy, ambulance and travel for medical reasons. Premium assistance for the Medical Services Plan is available for }jow income earners. The Canada Pen- sion Plan offers monthly benefits, based on past con- tributions, to disabled people no longer able to work. Lastly, there is interest relief and other aid to stu- dents who become unemployed and cannot pay back their student loans. Under the Canada Student Loans Act, there is provision made for this so that the stu- dent or ex-student will not be in default. During this time of increasing property values, some North Shore residents are worrying about how they will pay their property taxes. Deferment of these taxes is possible for those over age 65, or those who are widowed or disabled. Apply through your local city or municipal hall. More information on all the assistance outlined here can be found at the North Shore Information and — Volunteer Centre, a United Way agency, at 1060 Roosevelt Cres., North Vancouver, 985-7138. Help’s at Hand is a weekly feature by the North Shore Information and Volunteer Centre, 1060 Roosevelt Cres., North Vancouver, B.C. V7P 1M3, phone 985-7138. Free computer Inside. Unbelievable, but true. CasaBlanca® has computerized the goad old-fashioned ceiling fan. Why? In erder to put total fan and light control at your fingertips with a conve- nient wail control that easily replaces your light switch. No costly electrician or rewiring is required. And, to program in such valuable features as an energy-saver light timer and a home security lighting system. See your Auihorized CasaBlanca® ¢ Dealer soon for a demonstration. © a FAN COMPANY CasaBlanca* is a registered trademark of the CasaBlanca Fan Company. Open house held at camp SEE CAMP Capilano in action at a Sunday, March 12 open house for parents, teachers and com- munity group Jeaders. The camp is operated by Greater Vancouver Regional District Parks and provides year-round en- vironmental education programs for children and youth groups in a residential camp setting. The camp includes such features as a heated swimming pool, a rustic common room with fireplace and a campfire pit and is located in a majestic natural setting. GVRD Parks staff will be on hand at the open house, which ruas from 2 to 5 p.m., to conduct camp tours, show slides and an- swer questions. Refreshments will be available. Camp Capilano experiences are reservable for one-to-five day ses- sions during the week and suitable for children with disabilities. Camp Capilano is located in Capilano River Regional Park in North Vancouver. From the Upper Levels Highway, take the Capilano Road/Grouse Mountain exit and drive north to the Fish Hatch- ery/Camp Capilano turnoff. For more information call GVRD Parks at 432-6350. Thanks, each and every British Columbia Automobile Association member, for being a part of this significant milestone ia your Association's growth. Together, we are the first automobile association in Canada to reach haif a million in membership. Together, we form a group larger than any single political organization, larger than any single business group. a force with a united voice to speak for the motorists of British Columbia on issues which concern us all. Thanks, to the directors and staff of BCAA over the years, to the Emergency Road Service drivers, whose presence on the streets and highways and backreads of our province means we never have to drive alone. Thanks, to our travel agents, our insurance agents, our affiliated contractors, and garages. Thanks, to our membership and motoring and club services people, who deliver the services and benefits we, as members, enjoy. Thanks, to our affiliated automobile associations in more than 110 countries around the world, for providing service ax and security to our members wherever they travel. For more than 80 years, BCAA has pro- cay vided the services to motorists that “ have become synonymous with safety and security on the road and beyond. BR our growth to 500,000 members is a " testament to how much we have accom- plished. We can all take pride in this accomplishment for we have achieved this landmark together. Our size and our collective strength will help us to work toward even greater accomplishments in the future. Thanks, half a million.