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By Caden Fanshaw

BC GOVERNMENT

PG man forced to mail info as BC recovery benefit system fails

Dec 29, 2020 | 5:34 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – It hasn’t been easy for Marty Ashfield to get the money BC Premier John Horgan promised in the BC Recovery Benefit.

“I filled out the application and gave them everything they wanted, the same way as everyone else,” says Ashfield. “Then I got an email asking for more information, and the link didn’t work, and neither did the phone lines.”

Ashfield felt helpless, and after he couldn’t get through on the phone, decided to throw his information needed to complete his application in the mail, even though he had already sent it online.

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“I didn’t understand what more they could’ve needed,” says Ashfield. “They wanted everything I had already sent them on the online form.”

The BC Ministry of Finance says they apologize as their phone lines failed on December 21, and should now be up and running.

We apologize to those who experienced delays with the phone lines caused by a nationwide outage on December 21. Issues with the servers have been resolved and call centre agents are available to help British Columbians with their BC Recovery Benefit Application between the hours of 7:30am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. The fastest way to receive the B.C. Recovery Benefit is to apply online. – BC Ministry of Finance

Ashfield wants to warn others that the process may not be as simple as they think.

The Ministry says any information that is sent by mail has to be manually reviewed meaning it could take longer than if it was done online.

Ashfield says he tried every option possible, and mailing was a last resort.

“I’m not starving or going to go bankrupt because I haven’t got it yet, but I’m just saying it would’ve been nice,” says Ashfield. “I didn’t ask for it, they said they would give it.”

There is no known date on when Ashfield could successfully receive his benefit according to the Ministry of Finance.