NORTH BATTLEFORD, August 29, 2000
To Whom it May Concern:

It is my understanding that a request has been made for letters of support for Ms Allison Schmidt and her profession as an advocate for those individuals in the appeal stage with CPP Disability applications.

It has been my experience, in my role as Member of Parliament, that there is a great need for this type of advocate in the Province of Saskatchewan. We have received countless phone calls and visits from constituents who have applied for CPP Disability Benefits and are in the appeal stage for assistance. In many instances they have been initially denied benefits because of insufficient medical and personal information, which must be supplied by the applicant. Several of the applicants simply do not understand the application process, much less the appeal process.

My office has been working closely with Allison over the last 2 years and she has very successfully and sympathetically handled my constituent's appeal cases. In my personal view Allison provides a very valuable asset to my constituents. She is a competent, compassionate, knowledgeable and determined individual. I am pleased to recommend Ms Allison Schmidt and am hopeful she is successful in her quest for assistance on her record as an advocate for CPP Disability claims.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any queries. I look forward to speaking

with you.

Sincerely

Gerry Ritz, MP Battlefords/Lloydminster

Constituency: 1322 100th Street, North Battleford, SK S9A OV8 Tel (306)445-2004 Fax (306) 445-0207 Toll Free in SK. 1-888-825-4944 E-Mail Ritzg@sk.sympatico.ca

Ottawa: 520 Confederation Building, House of Commons, Ottawa, ON K1A OA6 Tel (613) 995-7080 Fax (613) 996-8472

September 11, 2000

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing this letter on behalf of Allison Schmidt and the Disability Claims Advocacy Clinic in Regina, Saskatchewan.

My brother, Patrick O'Brien, applied with the help of his counselor at the 'Society of Manitobans with Disabilities' for CPP Disability Pension in June of 1998. It wasn't until December 1, 1998, after his fast denial letter that I became involved as an advocate on his behalf. I immediately contacted John Harvard, Member of Parliament, to seek direction and was introduced to his assistant Tracy Proctor. After contacting HRDC, Ms. Proctor and Mr. Harvard directed me as to what to provide in order to satisfy the adjudicator at HRDC. I followed their instructions but to no avail. A frustrated and somewhat embarrassed Mr. Harvard could offer no further assistance to this obviously disabled person except for a very strong letter of support on Patrick's behalf.

When we received the denial letter at the second or Reconsideration Level, I contacted a lawyer, Dean R. Kropp, who has dealt with HRDC concerning CPP Disability claims for people suffering with Fibromyalgia. Mr. Kropp felt that his lack of knowledge of Patrick's disability (Post Polio Syndrome) made him unqualified to represent Patrick.

I contacted Laurie Beachell who is the National Coordinator of the Council of Canadians with Disabilities. Because of Ms. Schmidt's extensive work with the Saskatchewan Voice of People with Disabilities and B.C. Coalition of People with Disabilities regarding HRDC and CPPDP, Mr. Beachell recommended that we contact Allison Schmidt. On August 11, 1999 I had my fast contact with this amazingly understanding and compassionate individual. She immediately told us to appeal with a generic letter and she agreed to view Patrick's file and provide suggestions.

With constant communication and total support, Allison walked me through the levels of the Appeals process. She provided me with documentation including Appeals Manuals, Income and Security Policy Guidelines, etc. in order to educate me as to the procedures and mindset of the individuals at HRDC. Allison also provided me with a copy of a Submission to the Review Tribunal so that I may understand and be able to write a Submission on my brother's behalf. This example of format, her confidence, her guidance and her willingness and generosity to spend the time to proof read my Submission were the determining factors to make this difficult, confusing, frustrating and seemingly unconceivable feat a reality. In order to command attention to the injustices of the denials of my brothers case, Allison suggested that I send a copy of the Submission not only to the Commissioner of the Review Tribunals, but also send a copy of the Submission and Patrick's complete medical file to Nancy Lawand, Claudette Poitras and Donna Burt, all management officials of HRDC in Ottawa and Winnipeg.

In February, 2000, after HRDC refused to reverse their decision and insisted that we attend a Review Tribunal, Ms. Schmidt was formally engaged as Patrick's advocate. I felt that acting, as an advocate at a Review Tribunal was a much too consequential event for an inexperienced person such as myself. After a few discussions on how and where Patrick and I were to meet with Allison, she contacted us and informed us of a Disability Conference in Saskatoon at which she had been asked to speak on CPP Disability Benefits. Her co-presenter would be none other than Nancy Lawand of HRDC in Ottawa. Allison suggested that it would be an opportunity for us to meet and to be able to ask Ms. Lawand some pertinent questions. Patrick and I attended the Conference as Allison's guests on April 6, 2000.

At the Disability Conference Ms. Lawand was accompanied by Claudette Poitras and Jaqueline Gretto of HRDC Regional Office in Winnipeg and five outreach workers of Saskatchewan HRDC. After a grueling question and answer period, Ms. Lawand requested that we meet with her and the Winnipeg Officials of HRDC at the conclusion of the presentation. It was apparent that immediately after introductions, they recognized who we were and the Winnipeg HRDC staff were well familiarized with the particulars of Patrick's case. Patrick and I arrived back in Winnipeg on Friday, April 7, 2000 and on Monday morning, April 10, 2000, Patrick received a phone call informing him that his claim for CPP Disability Pension had been accepted.

I have to say at this time that although some would like to depict the Disability Claims Advocacy Clinic as a "business" that charges for their services, I have to dispute this. I would classify the Disability Claims Advocacy Clinic more as a Public Service that tries to recoup some of their costs. My brother had signed a contract to pay a contingency fee to the Clinic if awarded his claim. Allison could not and would not accept the pre-agreed amount as she felt that she hadn't gone to the Tribunal and hadn't done anything substantial to earn the payment. We strongly disagreed for if it weren't for her contacts, knowledge, guidance and assistance we felt that the outcome could have and would have been very different. Her conscience would not allow her to accept the original amount. She suggested a small token that was barely enough to pay for her time let alone the phone charges, photocopies, etc..

I am confident that I speak for many when I say that Allison Schmidt is institutional in the plight against injustices that befall the disabled in today's society. Her impeccable reputation for her ability to defend the disabled is renown by countless disability organizations throughout many provinces. Not only does she have the contacts, knowledge and ability to deal with the Federal Government when advocating for a disabled person's disability pension, but she has the humanitarian insight into the emotional, physical and financial strain and its detrimental effects on the disabled. These people often resolve to defeat because of the frustrations when dealing with the bureaucracy of HRDC and as a result apply for welfare or social assistance. Allison Schmidt and the Disability Claims Advocacy Clinic should definitely be considered assets and a resource for the people of Saskatchewan. I am honored and extremely grateful for having met Allison Schmidt.

Respectfully Yours,

Marie Drews

Suzannc SiciTcnscii

August 30, 2000

Department of Social Services Dear Sir or Madam:

I am writing on behalf of Allison Schmidt who has recently represented me at my CPP Tribunal Hearing. (August 3/2000) I had spent time looking for a knowledgeable representative, and Allison was that and more. She provides technical and emotional support, a combination of which are valuable to someone like myself facing this experience.

Allison provided technical support by scrutinizing the information gathered by the applicant for value, validity, sources, and completion. She suggests record-gathering techniques gained from her past experiences, for increasing the applicant's portfolio. She will obtain medical information and other reports from physicians and other sources for the applicant. Allison communicates all the information between the applicant and the Commissioner in a timely fashion. She also prepares a clear defense case for the applicant against denial citing examples from me gathered information to reinforce the individual facts.

In terms of emotional support, Allison verifies that the applicant is within their rights to contest the CPP denial and provides competent information as to the workings of the system. This comforts the applicant in understanding their situation, and reinforces their goals. Allison provides support and personal representation at me Tribunal Hearing. During the meeting leading to the Hearing, Allison expresses honest opinions and emotional support regarding the applicant's file, hearing assessment, personality attributes, and other related concerns.

Allison provides a unique service that is not available through other sources. It is, in my opinion, a service she carries out most competently with the combination of personality attributes, past experiences and knowledge of (he system.

Sincerely,

Suzanne Steffensen

Sincerely,

Floyd Devine

 Sept. 5 2000

To whom it may concern,

This is to inform your office that I am one of former clients of Ms. Allison Schmidt of the Disability Claims Clinic, who has been successful in obtaining disability benefits with her assistance. I had known Ms. A. Schmidt since last June 15 1998 as she assisted me then to appeal the denial of my benefits with WCB.

She is knowledgeable and experienced in dealing with the CPP system. It would be a very difficult task and a very frustrating experience for a client or someone without prior knowledge to go through this process without assistance, not only with answering the forms, but also with the other requirements, such as medical reports, treatments and etc I mentioned, this as I did not expect the challenges I would have to deal with during the course of my appeal, even though I am an RN by profession with 20 or more years of nursing experience, I find that the appeal process is so complicated with tremendous amount of paper work involved in the process to obtain CPP disability benefits

I find Ms. A. Schmidt very kind and understanding lady. She has the patience in dealing with People having a difficult time going thru the process and coping with their disabilities as well. She is honest to her client, which is a pre-requisite to give the necessary and added credibility to her report. She maintains the confidentiality of the report trusted to her by her clients, and her fee is minimal for the amount of paper work and time involved in preparing for the appeal process and going with the client for the hearing.

The response she sent to the Leader Post dated July 7 2000 other opinion regarding the article of Mr. Spencer Partington .(Published dated June 30 2000) Director of the Income Support Programs, Human Resources Development of Canada, shows how knowledgeable she is in dealing with the system, (copy of the Ms. A Schmidt response to the article of Mr. Parthington's enclosed.)

Should you need further information Please don't hesitate to call me at 359-0003 Thank You Kindly.