Disability Tax Advocate; Part-Time

Position Title: Disability Tax Advocate (Part-Time)
Program: Tax AID DABC / Disability Advocacy Program
Reports To: Executive Director
Hours: 21 hours per week (3 days per week)
Compensation: $23.00 per hour

The Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society is an Indigenous-led non-profit organization providing support, housing, advocacy, and connection to urban Indigenous people in the Central Okanagan. In partnership with Disability Alliance BC, the Society delivers the Tax AID DABC Disability Advocacy Program to improve access to federal disability benefits for underserved people across British Columbia’s Interior. The Disability Tax Advocate provides respectful, trauma-informed, person-centred assistance to people living with disabilities with the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) and related benefits, including the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP), Child Disability Benefit, and disability-related supplements.

The position combines individual advocacy, application support, public education, and outreach with Indigenous communities and community service organizations throughout the region.

The Disability Tax Advocate will perform duties including, but not limited to:

• Respond to in-person, telephone, and email inquiries from individuals, families, and community organizations by providing clear information, guidance, and support regarding federal disability benefits.
• Meet with clients in a respectful, collaborative, and trauma-informed manner; identify their priorities and support needs; and assist with preparing and drafting Disability Tax Credit applications and renewals.
• Help clients gather, organize, and understand supporting documents while maintaining accurate and confidential case records.
• With the client’s direction and consent, provide advocacy and practical support when they communicate with medical professionals and other service providers.
• Guide clients through application submission, follow-up requests, reconsiderations, and appeal processes following a denial.
• Provide information and referrals related to the RDSP, Child Disability Benefit, disability-related tax measures, and other relevant services within the advocate’s scope.

• Develop and maintain collaborative outreach relationships with Indigenous communities, Friendship Centres, health and social service providers, and other community organizations across the Interior.
• Plan and participate in outreach activities, including regional travel, to improve access to disability benefit information and advocacy services.
• Facilitate accessible educational sessions for community organization staff, clients, and community members to increase awareness of disability benefit programs.
• Maintain timely, organized, and confidential client files, correspondence, statistics, and program records in accordance with organizational and funder requirements.
• Work collaboratively with Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society staff and Disability Alliance BC program partners, participating in training, case consultation, and program planning as required.
• Perform related administrative duties and other duties as assigned.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex medical, tax, and benefits information in clear, accessible language.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate respectfully, build trust, honour client choice and autonomy, and provide responsive support to people living with disabilities.
• Empathy, patience, approachability, cultural humility, and the ability to maintain clear and respectful professional boundaries.
• Strong interviewing, advocacy, documentation, organization, and time-management…