A Metro Vancouver woman is speaking out after being forced to jump through hoops to prove to the government that her brother has Down syndrome.

Denise Pawliuk's younger brother, Craig, moved into her family's New Westminster home in August after living in Edmonton his entire life.

He asked to move in months earlier while Denise, who has been his primary guardian since their mother died, was in Alberta for a visit. Craig told her he was no longer happy, but that's all changed since he came out west.

"I like it," Craig said. "We get to be a family together."

Unfortunately, setting him up with government support in the province has proven a frustrating endeavour for the family.

Craig needs some supervision, but Denise said she hit a wall with Community Living BC, the agency responsible for providing services for adults with developmental challenges.

"Dealing with Community Living BC has been the most frustrating experience. I can't even believe it's as difficult as it's been," she said.

According to Denise, CLBC asked her to prove Craig has had Down syndrome since birth in order to be eligible for services.

Because he's almost 40 years old, however, several school and medical records from his childhood in Alberta no longer exist.

The Ministry of Social Development wouldn’t comment on the family's situation to CTV News, despite being responsible for supporting CLBC. Community Living BC did issue a statement, insisting it takes the family's concerns seriously.

"To receive CLBC service in BC, the law requires that an individual have an assessment to show they meet eligibility criteria for a developmental disability," it said.

That's a disappointment to Denise, who has already provided a letter from Alberta Education detailing as much information about her brother as is available.

She wishes the government would accept that rather than force Craig through an assessment she believes is disrespectful to him.

"I don't understand how that is client-centred or person-centred or respectful to Craig," she said.

Despite those concerns, the family said it has agreed to take part in an assessment later this month, hoping to put an end to months of frustration.

With a report from CTV Vancouver's Scott Hurst