VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – The BC Recovery Benefit had encountered another problem, with many saying the phone line – which was due to go online Monday morning – was not working.
This is the second launch-related issue that the Advantage has faced in the past three days.
People were supposed to be able to apply for the allowance over the phone from 7:30 a.m. on Monday. However, a number of people took to social media to report that the line was not working, with some reporting they were only getting a dial tone.
NEWS 1130 also confirmed that the number provided by the province – 1.833.882.0020 – was not working at 8 a.m. Service returned later in the afternoon.
The finance ministry was unaware of the hotline issue when NEWS 1130 asked for comment on Monday morning, shortly after launch.
We have a hard time getting through and hearing some people only get a dial tone. The Department of Finance is studying the matter and we will keep you posted. https://t.co/T7piO9xwmq
– Ash ‘I work from home now’ Kelly (@AshDKelly) December 21, 2020
On Friday, the BC Recovery Benefit website crashed due to volume moments after the province began accepting requests for a one-time, tax-free payment.
Payment will be deposited directly into the bank accounts of eligible applicants and the amount will vary based on income.
Families earning less than $ 125,000, with a sliding scale of up to $ 175,000, could receive up to $ 1,000. People earning less than $ 62,500 could see as much as $ 500. People with a net income of up to $ 87,500 could see a reduced benefit.
In addition to the difficulties encountered on the website on Friday, a number of British Columbians reported other problems accessing the benefit.
Several people reached out to NEWS 1130 on Sunday and took to social media to say that they had received an email from the province outlining the need for additional documents, saying they had to take steps to get a payment. ‘they thought they were easy. to access.
People who are asked for additional documents for the BC Recovery Benefit only have 30 days to submit the required items – but some of them will not even be available until it is almost too late (if they miss the 30 day deadline, they could be refused). Read more: https://t.co/BsbgRa3hDY https://t.co/yL08orYmC5
– Ash ‘I work from home now’ Kelly (@AshDKelly) December 21, 2020
In an email to NEWS 1130 on Monday, the ministry acknowledged its frustration with the delays, saying it had processed more than 394,000 claims and that payment should be filed within days.
We hope to question the NDP government on people’s concerns about the additional documents required to obtain the BC Recovery Benefit.
The province responded to @ NEWS1130 request for an interview with the Minister of Finance @selinarobinson with this statement: pic.twitter.com/bMp2Ux3qE0
– Martin MacMahon (@martinmacmahon) December 21, 2020
He noted that additional information was required in “certain circumstances” before a request could be processed.
-with files from Martin MacMahon
