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THE HERALD Wednesday October 19M Page Seniors- Tribunal established to help seniors get benefits Applicants for Old Age Security Benefits must product proof of age But for some people this is easier said than done Birth and baptism certificates are most often used confirm an applicants age In the absence of these documents 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 exhaused and an individual cannot produce any suitable pro of of age Its extremely rare says Jim MacQuarrie one of the In come 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 countless ways in which this might happen In such cases says a decision about an cants age can still be made by referring the case to an age tribunal An age terminal is an indepen dent threeperson panel that is empowered under the Old Age Security Act to make a decision about an applicants age based on the best available evidence Bach tribunal is unique and is formed only when the need arises Heres how it works One member of the tribunal is named by the applicant and another is appointed by the regional direc tor These individuals then select a third member who will act as the tribunals chairperson The tribunal sets a date time and place for its hearing Ar rangements are very flexible most tribunals in one of Health and Welfare Canadas In come Security programs offices but any suitable facility will do Every effort is made to choose a location that is convenient for the applicant Normally the applicant is ask ed to be present at the hearings to answer questions However if this is not possible a tribunal can still review evidence ana arrive at a decision in the applicants absence Applicants who for some reason cannot be present at the proceedings may appoint so meone to represent them The Branch places few restrictions on the work of a tribunal says 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 appli cant and hear evidence Virtually any type of written or oral evidence is admissible statements and testimony by family and friends personal recollections that might help to place the applicants age during a historical event a family bible with a date of birth or confirms tion written in the cover Most conventional types of in formation would already have been exhausted in our original in vestigation says MacQuarrie But its always possible that the applicant will bring in something new something weve not previously seen Well look at whatever evidence the applicant can supply Based on the evidence presented at the hearing the tribunal makes a judgement about the applicants most likely month and year of birth Its a very informal process says We try to avoid the courtof law approach or anything that might make the ap plicant uncomfortable The ob ject is to establish the applicants age so that we can legally pay a benefit BUSINESS BUILT OH SERVICE ONTARIO CHESTERFIELD WHOLESALERS BEHIND GUELPH AUTO MALL MALCOLM 7634477 WON OPEN WITH THIS COUPON OFF Purchase of Pound KNECHTEL BUTTER Special Pries Without Coupon