I’d just like to elaborate a little bit on the intention.
It’s not intended that this is a way to get around the system. But I suspect that Income Security has quite a few policies already in place and that things are evaluated, probably to the nth degree, when somebody makes an application for Income Security.
The intention is not to cheat the government. The intention is to get around if…. I’ll back up. As an example, if Granny wants to stay in her house and the family hires someone to move in and live with her, there is absolutely no impact on the rent that she pays. But if her granddaughter moves in to live with her and happens to be working, then that is considered household income, and Grandma has to pay extra rent.
It just doesn’t seem to be fair. I think the department certainly could devise a policy and devise certain standards that have to be met. Again it’s not intended to defraud the system, but it’s simply meant to keep people in their homes as long as possible. If a family member is willing and able to look after them and happens to also be working, then that income should not be considered in the calculation of the aged person’s rent.