A 48-year old Saint John man suffering from a heart condition is unable to pay for the medicine he needs after being cut off New Brunswick's social assistance program.

Wayne Burgess has long been diagnosed with mitral regurgitation, according to a cardiologist report he provided to CBC. It's a disease that affects blood flow and may lead to heart failure.

Over time his condition has become "severe," according to the report, with "progressive deterioration [expected] over the next 1-2 years."

I'm in a bad situation here. - Wayne Burgess

"I'm in a bad situation here," said Burgess.

"I can't get any help for the prescriptions I need."

On Feb. 21, Burgess was approved for a Canada Pension Plan (CPP) disability pension of $584.60 each month.

Shortly after his acceptance, the Department of Social Development cancelled benefits they had been providing, including prescription drug coverage, because Burgess had income from another source.

According the Service Canada website, "The CPP disability benefit is not designed to pay for such things as medications," and although Burgess says his prescriptions, like nitroglycerine, are not expensive, he can't afford to pay on his own.

"You're not talking hundreds of dollars. You're talking 20-some dollars — $21 I believe for my nitro — and stuff like that," said Burgess.

"My prescriptions are not expensive, but for a person like me who is paying $560 in rent, and I'm only receiving $586, I can't pay for my prescriptions. If it wasn't for the food banks, well, let's just say times are tough."

Even when Burgess was receiving social assistance from the provincial government, several recommendations from his family doctor went unfilled for nearly nine months. They include provision of a bus pass, because his condition prevents him walking long distances, and a diet supplement.

"The doctors can't believe I'm still walking the way I am, I was supposed to get that bus ticket. Things just aren't right," he said.

Complicated system

Inside Burgess's west Saint John apartment, there are folders stuffed with forms and letters documenting his dealings with the provincial and federal governments. He said navigating the social welfare system can be overwhelming.

"If it wasn't for a very good friend of mine who has been helping me through this, I wouldn't be where I am today without their help," said Burgess, referring to the fact he has been approved for federal benefits.

For a person like me I would never be able to go through this paperwork. - Wayne Burgess

"For a person like me I would never be able to go through this paperwork."

Burgess has been able to arrange an appointment with provincial officials on Thursday, thanks to help from Dorothy Shephard's office.

The Progressive Conservative MLA for Saint John-Lancaster says constituents often come to her for assistance with the welfare system.

"We receive a few calls every week on social development, and we probably have one or two where we have to get more involved than just an inquiry or a quick phone call."

Shephard says she and her staff advocate for people who have been denied by the system.

"If they're told no once, they think no is a finality when in fact there are other avenues that could be explored," she said.

"For our office, as an advocate, we look at all the other avenues that could be explored, to try and get to a positive result. I'm proud of the fact that way more often than not we do achieve a positive result."

In an email, a spokesperson for Social Development declined to discuss specific cases, but did say the department counts CPP benefits as income.

However, according to department policy, it is possible for someone not on social assistance to receive a health card, if they can show high costs for things, such as medication.