Programs that provide assistance for people who are having difficulty understanding and/or obtaining the full benefits to which they are entitled by law through the Employment Insurance system. The programs may help people understand the eligibility criteria for employment insurance benefits, the benefits provided by the program, and the rights of beneficiaries; provide consultation and advice; help complete application forms; negotiate on their behalf with employment insurance benefits staff; prepare written appeals; and/or represent them in administrative hearings or judicial litigation. Included are organizations that offer a range of advocacy services as well as legal aid programs which offer more formalized legal assistance.

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Programs that focus broadly on helping individuals who are having difficulty understanding, accessing, and/or are unaware of grants, payments, services or other benefits for which they are eligible rather than offering more specialized services relating to a particular type of benefit or service.

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Programs that provide information, education, advocacy and/or other forms or legal assistance for people who are experiencing difficulties understanding or collecting their retirement benefits or who have other complaints about the terms or administration of their public or private pension plan or fund.

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Programs that provide assistance for individuals with disabilities who are having difficulty understanding, accessing, and/or are unaware of the full benefits and services for which they are eligible by law. Protection and advocacy programs provide legal representation and other advocacy services for all people with disabilities and endeavour to ensure full access to inclusive educational programs, financial entitlements, health care, accessible housing, transportation and productive employment opportunities. Some programs maintain a presence in facilities that care for people with disabilities where they monitor, investigate and attempt to remedy adverse conditions. 

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Programs that provide assistance for veterans who are having difficulty understanding, accessing, and/or are unaware of the full benefits and services to which they are entitled by law based on service to their country. The programs may help veterans understand the eligibility criteria for benefits and services, the benefits and services provided by the program, the payment process and the rights of beneficiaries; provide consultation and advice; help them complete benefits and services application forms; negotiate on their behalf with Veteran Affairs Canada staff; and/or represent them in administrative processes or judicial litigation. Included are veteran rights organizations that offer a range of advocacy services (such as the Royal Canadian Legion's Command Service Officers, who are legislatively mandated to assist both Legion members and non-members) as well as legal aid programs that offer more formalized legal assistance.

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Programs that provide assistance for prospective or current public financial assistance recipients who are having difficulty understanding and/or obtaining the full benefits to which they are entitled by law under various income support entitlement programs. The programs may help people understand the eligibility criteria for benefits, how much they can work without affecting their benefits (for some programs), the benefits provided by the program, the payment process and the rights of beneficiaries; provide consultation and advice; help them complete benefits application forms; negotiate on their behalf with public assistance benefits staff; and/or represent them in administrative hearings or judicial litigation. Included are welfare rights organizations that offer a range of advocacy services as well as legal aid programs that offer more formalized legal assistance. Most of these programs are operated on the provincial/territorial level but are conceived under federal mandate to ensure equity of assistance. Some of these programs may be geared to specific communities such as persons with disabilities or First Nations.

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