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PAGE 14, WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESbAY, OCTOBER 17, 190 Can't prove your age?Don't despair (NC)-Applicants for Old Age Security benefits must produce proof of age. But for some people, this is easier said than done. Birth and baptism certifi- cates are most often used to confirm an applicant's age. In the absence of these docu- ments, Health and Welfare Canada will recognize other kinds of evidence, including church, medical, education, military and insurance records. But what if all avenues have been exhausted and an individual cannot produce any suitable proof of age? "It's extremely rare," says Jim MacQuarrie, one of the Income Security Programs' regional directors, "but it does happen. Records can be lost or stolen; perhaps a church has burned down and its records have been destroyed. There are count less ways in which thi might happen." In such cases, say MacQua-rie, a decisio about.an applicant's agi can-still be made by refer ring the case to an age tribu nal. An age tribunal is an in dependent, three-perso panel that is empowered un der the Old Age Securit: Act to make a decisior about an applicant's ag based on the best available evidence. Each tribunal is unique and is formed only when the need arises. Here's how it works: One member of the tribu nal is named by the applican and another is appointed by the regional director. Thes individuals then selecta - s s n e n y n le e le Tribunal system can help people with no proof of age qualify for Old Age Security benefits. NC "We provide the tribunal with secretarial help and all the documentary evidence that has been collected about a case to that time. The rest- how, when, where- is up to the members of the tribunal." The tribunal will review documents, question the ap- plicant and hear evidence. Virtually any type of written or oral evidence is admis- sible: statements and testi- mopy by friends and family, personal recollections that might help to place the applicant's age during an historical event, a family bible with a date of birth or confirmation written in the cover. "Most conventional types of information would already have been exhausted in our original investigation," says MacQuarrie. "But it's al- ways possible that the appli- cant will bring in something third member who will act as the tribunal's chairperson. The tribunàl sets a date, time and place for its hearing. Arrangements are very flex- t ible: most tribunals meet in y one of Health and Welfare Canada's Income Security a Programs offices but any suitable facility will do. Ev- ery effort is made to choose a location that is convenient for the applicant. Normally the applicant is asked to be present at the hearings to answer ques- tions. However, if this is not possible, the tribunal can still review evidence and arrive at a decision in the applicant's absence. Applicants who, for some reason, cannot be present at the proceedings may appoint someone to represent them. "The Branch places few restrictions on the- work of a tribunal, " says MacQuarrie. new, something we've not previously seen. We'll look at whatever evidence the applicant can supply." Based on the evidence presented at the hearing, the tribunal makes a judgement about the applicant's most likely month and year of birth. The entire process takes no more than a few hours. "It's a- very informal pro- cess," says MacQuarrie. "We try to avoid the court-of-law approach or anything that might make the applicant uncomfortable. The object is to establish the applicant's age so that we can legally pay a benefit. "The tribunal process is there for the benefit of the applicant. It's usually a last resort, but its there." Throughout the procedure, applicants are given every possible assistance.There are people to explain the procedure, answer questions and help fill out forms. "We provide assistance all the way through,"says MacQuarrie, and there is no cost.to the applicant." For more information about age tribunalsi contact the Income Security Programs office in your area. Addresses and phone numbers are in the Gov- emment of .anada listing of your telephone directorY under "Health andWelfare Canada". Help for older workers MINK JACKETS FROM 11250°° MINK COATS FROM YOUR FURST CHOICE '2590.° FURSALON 282 KING S'T4Et WEST, Ã"Ê A 571-2101 (NC) - Losing a job is always tough, but it's especially tough if you are over 45. Joe Johnson of Kelowna B.C. was 55 when a company relocation cost him his job assembling - cabinets. For the next year and a half, he faced what seemed to be a hopeless prospect -- employers were giving him 55 reasons for not hiring him. He then entered a small engine mechanics course sponsored by the federal government's Canadian Jobs Strategy (CJS). The course included eight weeks of training at Jasco Rentals. By the time it was over, Jasco had hired Johnson as its new plant manager. Johnson has been working - there ' since November 1987. He sàys he wouldn't have been hired except for the CJS tralning. "At Jasco they hired me because they saw my performance," he says. "At 55 I would not have gotten another job had it not bee' for this opportunity." As - Johnson's case SEE PAGE 15 I peope. t 4 4 ' f'r.'iJ J 1