The application serves to establish the basis of the applicant's right to assistance: it makes it possible to determine the applicant's marital status and resources. The application is deemed to have been made on the DAY THAT THE FORM provided, duly completed and signed, is RECEIVED at the CLE.
When an application is received during the weekend or on a legal holiday, it is deemed to have been received on the first work day that follows.
The application is made ON THE FORM provided for this purpose by:
- the applicant for himself or herself or the applicant's family;
OR
- a responsible third party on the applicant's behalf.
An application is not refused because of a FORMAL DEFECT or procedural IRREGULARITY that does not affect the right to benefits or the value thereof.
An application for SPECIAL BENEFITS is made in writing or by presenting documents justifying the application (e.g. medical certificate).
A statement by a sheltered adult to obtain an exemption from paying the price of that shelter replaces a validly formulated application if the statement contains the information required for such an application.
If an applicant has already expressed an intention in WRITING of making an application, the date of the application is the date on which the Income Security receives this written intention, provided that the form provided is completed and signed within a reasonable time. For guidance, 30 days seems to be a reasonable time unless the applicant shows that he or she could not have acted earlier.
The application is normally made by one of the spouses in the case of a family or by the person who is requesting assistance. However, it may be made by a RESPONSIBLE THIRD PARTY if the circumstances makes it necessary for that third party to become involved. This may be the case where the client has a physical or mental disability. The applicant remains the person for whom the application is made; the third party simply prepares it physically on the applicant's behalf.