Our Financial Accounts Managers administer the incomes of people who are vulnerable to financial abuse and who are no longer able to care for their own financial needs due to physical and/or mental constraints. We offer personalized and caring services as well as peace of mind that personal finances will be well managed. This program fills a gap in the community that is not addressed by any other organization. We currently provide services throughout Greater Vancouver.

Most of the clients of the Adult Guardianship Program are seniors who have chosen to ask for the administration of their pensions. Community service providers also refer people who have been certified by a doctor to be incapable of managing finances for Income Security Programs pension administration. We also handle a few Discretionary Trusts and Joint Trust Agreements.

We charge minimal fees to accommodate primarily low-income clients. The program relies heavily on partner organizations such as mental and health teams, long-term care facilities, hospitals and other community groups to work supportively in the mutual interest of the client during intake and financial information gathering.

The need for the Adult Guardianship Program in the community is clearly demonstrated by the annual increase in numbers of clients despite a high attrition rate of the population served. The staff is dedicated to the ideals inherent in serving a population who would otherwise not be able to ensure a consolidated and accountable approach to dealing with their finances.

Referral Process

We continuously accept referrals from individuals, family members and service providers. We prefer to have the referring party or a reliable community member present when contracts are signed, especially if the client is hesitant or has any form of dementia. This protects the client and facilitates an easier transition. We also accept forms filled out and sent to us by mail. We are only able to work with original signed forms when acquiring incomes from the source.

What we do...

Clients have direct access to the Financial Accounts Managers and their Managers. The Financial Accounts Managers administer each client's account and carry out their instructions. With the client's consent, this may be done with the support of a family member or community service provider. The Financial Accounts Managers provide the following services:

• Generate a functional budget based on income, monthly expenditures, debts and saving for future needs.
• Make regular bill payments such as rent, meals, utilities and pharmacy.
• Plan for debt reduction only in cooperation with the client.
• Facilitate income tax filing and filing back taxes.
• Liaise with the community care workers to provide financial support to and for clients when appropriate.
• Provide monthly statements upon request.
• Work toward clients receiving all possible income such as Guaranteed Income Supplement, SAFER, Disability Tax Credit.

No responsibility for medical or other personal decisions is transferred to the Society or its workers. Our services are restricted to those involving personal finances.

We offer our services under a number of different contracts.
Click here for a list of referal requirements for AGP contracts.

Click here for the 2012 Fee Structure.

See our AGP brochure for more details.

Pension Management Contracts

Voluntary Pension Management

The Pension Management Contract allows us to administer a client's pension from the Income Security Program only. This typically includes Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income Supplement. The cost of this service is $45.00 per month. (Arrangements can also be made to manage employment, union or veteran pensions.) Pension Management Contracts can be voluntary or involuntary.

To enter into a voluntary Pension Management Contract, the client must be mentally capable. Prospective clients can facilitate quicker transfer of pensions to the Adult Guardianship Program if they call Income Security Programs at 1-800-277-9914 and ask for pensions to be transferred. Service providers may also facilitate this process. We accept a Voluntary Pension Management referral when we receive complete and original copies of the following information by mail:

              Note: Clicking on the underlined text will open the required form.

• Completed Client Profile Form
• 2 signed original Pension Management Contracts
• Signed Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) T1013 - Authorizing a Representative Form
• Signed letter to CRA regarding Direct Deposits
• Signed Release of Information Form
• Completed Consent to Communicate Information to an Authorized Person Form

Involuntary Pension Management

If a person is found to be incapable of managing their finances by a medical doctor, the referral must include an original Certificate of Incapability. This form of management strictly allows us as the trustee to receive Canadian government pension income and pay only basic living expenses. A person who has been certified incapable of managing their finances is able to sign tax, bank and pension forms to enable St. James Community Service Society to manage their pension income. The fee for this service is $45.00 per month.

We accept an Involuntary Pension Management referral when we receive complete and original copies of the following information by mail:

              Note: Clicking on the underlined text will open the required form.

• Completed Client Profile Form
• Income Security Program's original ISP 3505 - Certificate of Incapability completed and signed by a physician
• Signed Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) T1013 - Authorizing a Representative Form
• Signed letter to CRA regarding Direct Deposits
• Completed Letter from Referral

 If a client cannot or will not sign the CRA related forms, a letter on letterhead from the referring person can be submitted to CRA through AGP for consideration.

Please forward all referrals by mail to:

St. James Community Service Society
Adult Guardianship Program
329 Powell Street
Vancouver, BC
V6A 1G5

Providing us with original copies of all of the documentation required will ensure that acceptance and the start of service is not delayed.

We acknowledge the financial assistance of the Province of British Columbia in supporting the operation of the Adult Guardianship program.

 For more information about Adult Guardianship program, please contact Deepak Sharma at (604) 606-0335.